Unearth The Voyage
There is a trail ride in southeastern Ohio where the horses carry you through a real ghost town tunnel with a reputation for strange happenings, and it is every bit as thrilling as it sounds. The Moonville Tunnel has drawn curious visitors for decades, but experiencing it on horseback adds a whole new layer to the adventure.
The trail winds through dense Appalachian forest, past abandoned railroad history, and straight through a dark, echoing passage that once served a coal mining community that no longer exists. This article walks you through everything you need to know about Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn, from the horses and the trails to the onsite saloon and the live music that keeps the party going after the ride is done.
The Moonville Tunnel Trail Experience
Few trail rides in the country can claim a destination quite like this one. The signature Moonville Tunnel Tour at Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn takes riders through the actual Moonville Tunnel, a 19th-century railroad passage carved into the hills of southeastern Ohio that is famous for local legends of restless spirits.
The two-and-a-half-hour round trip covers scenic forest terrain and crosses through the remnants of a town that essentially vanished from the map after the coal industry faded. Guides share the history and lore of the tunnel as your group approaches it, which makes the moment you pass through feel genuinely memorable.
The combination of natural beauty, local history, and just enough spooky atmosphere makes this particular route one of the most talked-about trail experiences in the Hocking Hills region, and for very good reason.
Where to Find Uncle Buck’s and How to Get There
Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn sits at 73930 Buck Ln, New Marshfield, OH 45766, tucked into the rolling hills of Athens County in southeastern Ohio. The property is close to the Hocking Hills region, which is already a popular destination for outdoor lovers, so many visitors combine this stop with a broader trip to the area.
Getting there does require navigating some winding rural roads, and a few visitors have noted that GPS can be a little unreliable on the final stretch, so giving yourself extra time is a smart move. The payoff at the end of that country drive is a spacious property with a large parking lot that handles groups easily.
The stable is open seven days a week from 9 AM to 6 PM, which gives you solid flexibility when planning your visit around the rest of your itinerary.
The Horses That Make the Ride Worth Every Minute
The horses at Uncle Buck’s are a genuine highlight, and that is not something every riding stable can honestly claim. The herd includes a variety of breeds and personalities, from easygoing giants like Navajo and Strider to spirited trail horses like Gypsy and Freya, each one well-trained and responsive on the trail.
One particularly beloved horse is Stryder, a palomino Tennessee Walking Horse known for his patience and smooth gait, which makes him an excellent match for nervous or first-time riders. The horses are well cared for, healthy, and clearly used to working with riders of all experience levels.
What stands out most is how much personality each horse brings to the ride. Spending two hours on horseback with an animal that has its own quirks and charms turns a simple trail ride into something that feels far more personal and genuinely unforgettable.
Trail Options for Every Skill Level
Not every visitor is ready to commit to a two-and-a-half-hour ride through ghost town tunnels, and Uncle Buck’s has thought that through carefully. The stable offers multiple trail options ranging from a short one-hour ride to the longer Moonville Tunnel tour, so groups with young children, older riders, or complete beginners can still have a fantastic time.
The Coal Bucket Trail Ride is a popular choice for mixed-age groups, following a gentle ridge path through towering trees without any intimidating elevation changes. Riders as young as nine and as old as seventy have completed this route comfortably and felt no soreness afterward.
The trails run through Zalinski Forest, where the tree canopy stretches high overhead and the scenery shifts beautifully with the seasons. Autumn visits in particular reward riders with a rich tapestry of color that makes even the shortest ride feel like something worth framing.
What First-Time Riders Need to Know
Showing up to a riding stable for the first time can feel a little intimidating, but the setup at Uncle Buck’s is designed to put newcomers at ease right from the start. The check-in process is quick and straightforward, and guides introduce each rider to their horse before the group heads out, covering the basics in a way that is easy to absorb without feeling rushed.
Children as young as eleven and twelve have ridden independently on their first visit without any trouble, which speaks to how well-matched the horses are to beginner riders. Parents with younger kids can feel reassured knowing that the guides keep a close eye on the whole group throughout the ride.
One practical tip worth remembering: bring a hat, wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, and check the weather forecast before you go. The trails can get slippery after rain, and a little preparation goes a long way toward making the experience smooth.
The History Behind the Moonville Ghost Town
The town of Moonville was once a small but active coal mining community in Vinton County, Ohio, built around the railroad that ran through the tunnel. At its peak in the mid-1800s, the town supported miners and their families, but as the coal industry declined and the railroad rerouted, the community simply faded away until almost nothing remained.
What survived is the tunnel itself, a stone-arched railroad passage that has stood for over 150 years and earned a reputation as one of Ohio’s most famously haunted spots. Local legends tell of lights appearing inside the tunnel at night and the presence of a railroad worker whose spirit supposedly never left.
Hearing these stories from a knowledgeable guide while your horse carries you toward the tunnel entrance adds a layer of atmosphere that no museum exhibit could replicate. The history here feels alive in a way that is genuinely hard to describe.
The Lady Buck Saloon and Onsite Dining
After a long ride through the woods, arriving back at the stable to find a full-service restaurant waiting for you feels like a small miracle. The Lady Buck Saloon is the onsite dining spot at Uncle Buck’s, and it serves a menu of hearty comfort food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that fits the whole country setting perfectly.
Brisket BBQ sandwiches are a popular order, and the menu also includes sides that round out a satisfying meal. The saloon is a great place to arrive early, grab a bite, and settle in before your scheduled ride time.
On most weekends, the Lady Buck Saloon hosts live music, turning the post-ride wind-down into something closer to a full evening out. The combination of good food and live entertainment in a rustic barn setting gives the whole property a festive, community-oriented energy that keeps visitors lingering well past their ride.
The Dance Barn and Live Music Nights
The dance barn at Uncle Buck’s is one of those spaces that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. Built for exactly the kind of warm, unpretentious fun that fits a property like this, the barn hosts live music on most weekends and creates an atmosphere that feels cozy and genuinely inviting rather than staged or commercial.
Barn dancing is part of the tradition here, and whether you are a confident two-stepper or someone who mostly shuffles along and hopes for the best, the energy in the room carries you through. The space has been thoughtfully put together, with the kind of attention to detail that makes it feel personal.
Visitors who stay for the evening entertainment consistently describe it as one of the best surprises of the trip. Combining a trail ride through haunted Ohio history with a live music night in a dance barn is a combination that is genuinely hard to beat.
The Setting and Natural Scenery
The land surrounding Uncle Buck’s is part of what makes the experience so memorable before you even climb into the saddle. The property sits within the broader Hocking Hills region of southeastern Ohio, an area defined by sandstone cliffs, ancient forests, and creek-carved valleys that shift dramatically with the seasons.
Summer rides offer a canopy of deep green overhead with shafts of light breaking through onto the trail. Autumn turns the whole forest into a slow-burning display of orange, red, and gold that makes every turn in the trail feel like a new painting.
The trees along the Moonville route reach sixty feet and higher in places, creating a sense of scale that reminds you just how old and undisturbed this corner of Ohio really is. Riding through it at a horse’s pace, rather than from behind a car window, changes how you experience the landscape entirely.
Group Visits and Family Outings
Uncle Buck’s handles large groups with the kind of ease that makes planning a family outing or group adventure far less stressful than it might otherwise be. Groups of eight or more riders have had smooth, well-organized experiences here, with guides managing the full group attentively while keeping the mood fun and relaxed.
The stable is genuinely well-suited for families with children, and kids who have never been near a horse before can feel comfortable here thanks to the calm temperament of the herd and the attentive approach of the guides. First-time young riders have completed full trail rides independently and come back grinning.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially for larger groups or weekend visits during peak season. Arriving early gives you time to explore the grounds, grab a meal at the saloon, and let younger riders get comfortable with the horses before the ride begins.
The Property Grounds and Overall Atmosphere
There is something about the overall setup at Uncle Buck’s that feels genuinely thought-through rather than thrown together. The grounds are clean and well-maintained, the parking lot is spacious enough to handle a busy weekend crowd, and the various buildings, from the check-in office to the saloon to the dance barn, all feel like part of a cohesive, welcoming place.
The check-in office itself is decorated with photographs from events past, giving it a nostalgic country atmosphere that sets the tone before you ever step outside. The whole property has a small-town family feel that is easy to sink into.
Visitors who arrive early often spend time near the bonfire area, walking the grounds, or simply watching the horses before their ride. That unhurried pace is part of what makes a visit here feel restorative rather than rushed, which is exactly what a good day out in the country should feel like.
Planning Your Visit and Final Tips
Getting the most out of a visit to Uncle Buck’s comes down to a few straightforward choices made before you arrive. Book your trail ride in advance through the official website at unclebucksstable.com, especially if you are visiting on a weekend or during the fall foliage season when demand is at its highest.
The stable operates seven days a week from 9 AM to 6 AM, giving you a reasonable window to plan around other activities in the Hocking Hills area. Wear closed-toe shoes, dress for the weather, and consider bringing a light jacket even in warmer months since the forest trail can run cooler than open ground.
Whether you are chasing the thrill of riding through a legendary ghost town tunnel, looking for a family-friendly outdoor adventure, or just want a genuinely good day in the Ohio countryside, this is a stop that earns its place on any itinerary without needing to oversell itself.
