Some Clydesdale horses weigh more than 2,000 pounds, and a handful of farms across America let visitors get remarkably close to them. You can meet the famous Budweiser horses, help groom these massive animals, or even climb into the saddle for a guided ride.
The experiences go well beyond ordinary farm tours. One Illinois farm lets visitors vacuum-groom Clydesdales, while a California ranch offers horseback rides through coastal countryside.
Other destinations offer carriage rides, encounters with young horses, and behind-the-scenes looks at how these giants are trained.
These 12 destinations offer different ways to meet Clydesdales, from family-friendly barn visits to hands-on experiences that require advance reservations.
1. Warm Springs Ranch, Boonville, Missouri
Every famous Budweiser Clydesdale starts life as a wobbly foal right here. The ranch spreads across more than 300 acres of Missouri hills and serves as the official breeding and training center for the team.
Between 70 and 100 horses call the property home. That includes stallions, mares, and young foals still figuring out what to do with their giant feet.
Tours come in several flavors, so pick the one that fits your crew. The American Icons Tour covers the basics, while History and Horses digs into the story behind the brand.
Want a ride? Cruising with the Clydesdales puts you in a wagon pulled by a full team, with the driver explaining how hitch training works.
History fans will spot a 1903 wagon built by Studebaker. A fancy trailer used to haul the horses across the nation is also on display.
Reservations are required for every tour, and spots disappear quickly. Groups of up to 16 can book a private VIP Tour for a more personal visit.
2. Grandview Clydesdales, Dunnellon, Florida
Hall of Fame horses live in central Florida, and you can pet them. Grandview Clydesdales joined the Clydesdale breeders hall of fame in 2016, and its barns hold World and National Champions.
Some of these horses rank among the biggest you will ever see. The family running the farm includes multi-generational breeders and champion drivers, so they know their stuff.
Tours cover breeding, training, and life on the show circuit. Guests visit the show barn, check out training areas, and even peek into the farm lab.
Expect plenty of chances to touch the horses. Each visitor also gets an individual photo session, which makes for a great holiday card.
Little horse lovers should ask about the VIP Baby Clydesdale Experience. Seasonal events include Clydesdale Christmas Experiences and a Carriage Dinner Show.
Here is a helpful bonus for grandparents. Tours are built for all ages and mobility levels, with seating provided and very little walking.
Book ahead, since every tour requires a reservation. Save a few minutes for the gift shop on your way out.
3. Clydesdale Outpost, Whitefish, Montana
Picture an igloo, a plate of s’mores, and a one-ton visitor dropping by to say hi. That winter treat is the Clydesdale Igloo Experience, and it might be the quirkiest horse date in the country.
Clydesdale Outpost sits on 102 acres near Whitefish. Luxury ranch cabins share the land with an impressive herd, and the mountain views are a big part of the deal.
Visitors can book guided barn tours or hands-on encounters. Guests groom horses, take part in guided interaction time, and even lead a Clydesdale on a rope.
The Wagon Wander Ride is a relaxed group trip along scenic trails. When snow arrives, sleigh rides replace carriages.
Brave guests can actually ride a Clydesdale, which is rare anywhere. Helmets are mandatory for riders, so leave the cowboy hat in the cabin.
Evenings with the Clydesdales offers light bites and quiet time with the herd under the Montana sky.
Every activity needs an advance reservation and a signed waiver. Plan ahead rather than hoping to drop in.
4. Covell’s Clydesdales, Cambria, California
Few places on Earth let regular people saddle up on a Clydesdale. Covell’s Clydesdales is one of them, and the trail comes with ocean views.
The family ranch covers nearly 2,000 acres on California’s Central Coast. Founder Ralph Covell bred and showed top Clydesdales for more than twenty years, and his family keeps that legacy going.
Between 50 and 60 horses roam the property. They range from 16 to 19 hands tall and weigh 1,600 to 2,300 pounds.
Guided trail rides last about two hours and welcome beginners. Kids age seven and up can ride, passing Monterey pines, cattle pastures, and sea views.
Not into saddles? A 1.5-hour tour by covered wagon or ATV still gets you close to the herd.
Cattle and donkeys wander around too.
Visits run Monday through Saturday by appointment only. Rides usually start at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with vehicle tours at noon.
Book by text or phone, and keep an eye on the forecast. Rain can cancel plans, and riders must climb stairs easily and keep good balance.
5. Sandy Acres Clydesdales, La Porte, Indiana
Ever wanted to drive a six-horse hitch without risking a runaway? Sandy Acres has a clever fix that uses a golf cart and a bike system to copy the real thing.
The driving experience is one of three main options at this family breeding farm. Basic tours and VIP tours round out the list.
VIP guests get private time with the Clydesdales. Brushing, hand-feeding, and close-up chats with the horses are all part of the plan.
Reviewers often mention the owners by their passion alone. Visits feel unhurried, and questions are welcome.
Miniature donkeys, goats, and chickens add extra fun for younger kids. Wagon rides roll across the property and down quiet country roads.
Planning a party or photo shoot? The farm hosts special events and offers sessions with the horses as models.
A quick heads-up: Sandy Acres recently moved. The new barn is still being finished, but the farm is fully running and welcoming guests.
All tours are by appointment. Watch their updates for foal announcements, since new babies are on the way.
6. Classic City Clydesdales, Bishop, Georgia
Georgia has exactly one Clydesdale breeding operation, and it sits about ten miles from Athens. Bulldog fans, take note.
Classic City Clydesdales covers 225 acres and runs as a true working horse farm. Six miles of trails wind along the Appalachee River, and a three-acre stocked pond adds to the scenery.
Guided farm tours last around 90 minutes. Guests meet the herd up close and learn how the farm raises these giants.
Trail rides usually run about an hour. You get to see the river trails from the back of a horse that is roughly the size of a small car.
Want to stretch the trip? Book The Lodge, an on-site stay decorated in a rustic hunting lodge style.
Rules here are simple but firm. Guests cannot enter pastures without a guide or give treats without permission.
Everything is by appointment, so call ahead. Bishop sits five miles from Watkinsville, making it an easy add-on to a game day weekend.
7. Willow Grove Farm, Long Valley, New Jersey
Giant pony rides are a real menu item at this New Jersey farm. During Christmas with the Clydesdales, kids and grownups alike can climb aboard a horse that weighs more than a piano.
Willow Grove Farm is home to over thirty Clydesdales. Owners Heidi Schubert Ort and Win Lake bring more than fifty years of combined horse know-how.
Hour-long riding sessions suit nervous first-timers and confident riders. Guided trail rides follow the South Branch of the Raritan River for some lovely views.
Wagon rides are the ground-level choice. They often include a barn tour and a chance to meet other horses.
Groups can book a big wagon, while couples might prefer a smaller carriage for a sweet date. Yes, a Clydesdale can play matchmaker.
The holiday event also features kids’ activities and a Holiday River Trail walk. It is a popular December tradition in the area.
Rides run Tuesday through Sunday and need advance booking. Age, weight, and group size limits may apply, so check before you go.
8. Suttler Post Farm, Mechanicsville, Maryland
Since 2017, the White House Christmas Tree has arrived thanks to horses from this Maryland farm. That is quite a job for a team that also does birthday parties.
Suttler Post Farm runs the only six-horse Clydesdale hitch in Southern Maryland. Watching six giants move in step during a hitch demonstration is a sight that sticks with you.
Farm tours let visitors meet the horses and hear stories straight from the farmers. Friendly farm dogs often tag along, acting like unofficial tour guides.
Carriage services cover all kinds of events. A single horse and carriage fits up to four people, while a two-horse wagon carries up to twelve.
The grounds can also host private gatherings. Birthday parties and fundraisers are both on the list.
Tours run daily, but only by appointment. Hitch demos and carriage bookings also need advance reservations.
Ask your guide about the White House trips. The horses have quite a resume, and the farmers enjoy sharing the details.
9. Clydesdale Farms, Livingston, Tennessee
Meet O’della and Olivia, the two Clydesdale stars of this small Tennessee farm. Their supporting cast includes a cat named Duke and a cow named Dixie.
The signature Clydesdale Experience is truly hands-on. Guests learn to groom and harness the mares, then take them for a ride around the arena.
That process shows how much work goes into caring for horses this size. Harness pieces are big, and buckles are many.
Visitors can also sit on top of a Clydesdale. It makes a great photo and an even better story at school on Monday.
Morning people should look at the Campfire Breakfast. It includes a hayride, grooming time, and visits with miniature donkeys and Dixie in her pasture.
Guided barn visits are available too. You may also meet playful rabbits and cattle dogs during your stay.
The farm keeps things personal and small. Every experience needs an advance reservation, so book before you head to Livingston.
10. JFP Equine, Waterloo, Illinois
Bring your chores to the barn, because here the vacuum cleaner is for the horse. Vacuum grooming is a real part of the fun at JFP Equine.
Founder Jim Poole managed the Budweiser Clydesdale program for nearly 25 years. His farm sits just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
The Ultimate Clydesdale Experience lasts two hours. Groups max out at four people, so everyone gets real time with the horses.
Guests meet several Clydesdales and find their favorite scratching spots. They also mix feed and hand-feed the horses.
Along the way, you pick up fun breed facts from people who know these animals well. Expect to leave with a few new trivia answers.
Shorter visits are available through Clydesdale Meet N’ Greets. Serious fans can join The Clydesdale Academy for lessons in grooming, decorating, harnessing, and feeding.
The farm also trains and sells world-class Clydesdales. Registration is required for everything, and the small Ultimate sessions fill up quickly.
11. Express Clydesdales Barn, Yukon, Oklahoma
Built in 1936 and rebuilt by Amish barn experts in 1997, this barn might be the fanciest horse house in Oklahoma. Pine walls, walnut trim, and brass fixtures fill the space.
The Express Clydesdales travel all over North America. Their resume includes the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Each horse stands about six feet at the shoulder and weighs around 2,000 pounds. Photos are encouraged, so bring a full phone battery.
Self-guided tours are free, with signs explaining what you are seeing. Staff-guided tours go behind the scenes for more detail on care and daily life.
Time it right and you might catch bath day. Visitors can also stroll the paddocks for close looks.
Head up to the loft for exhibits on the Chisholm Trail and Old West history. A zebra and miniature horses also live on the ranch, which surprises many guests.
The barn opens Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Book guided tours ahead, and check the gift shop before leaving.
12. Grant’s Farm, St. Louis, Missouri
Free admission and famous horses make a strong combo. Grant’s Farm lets anyone walk up and see Budweiser Clydesdales at their barn without buying a ticket.
The property also carries ties to Ulysses S. Grant.
That gives history buffs a reason to linger after the horses.
For deeper access, book the Clydesdale Close-Up. It takes guests into both the Stallion and Mare barns.
You get to pet, groom, and photograph one of the horses. An expert handler answers questions about history, training, and care.
More than 900 animals from around the world live on the farm. Tram rides carry visitors across the grounds, and Animal Encounters introduce other farm residents.
Budget for a few extras before you arrive. Parking requires a paid ticket, and the Close-Up costs more than general entry.
Leave the cash at home, since the farm is fully cashless. Cards and phones handle every purchase.
It is an easy finale for a Missouri road trip. Pair it with Warm Springs Ranch for a full Budweiser horse weekend.
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