About Ascend Camp & Retreat Center
Ascend Camp & Retreat Center stands out for its exceptional horseback riding experiences, guided by patient and knowledgeable staff, and the unique opportunity to interact with well-cared-for horses after the ride. Beyond horse riding, it offers a diverse range of family-friendly camp activities like paintball and swimming, complemented by relaxing amenities such as cute cabins and hammocks, making it an ideal destination for a holistic family getaway or a focused equestrian adventure in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a multi-activity retreat with a focus on outdoor adventure and relaxation.Anyone in the Dallas Fort Worth area looking for a high-quality horseback riding experience.Birthday gifts or special surprises for friends/family who enjoy equestrian activities.Groups or families looking to bond through shared outdoor adventures like paintball and swimming.Those seeking a relaxing getaway with comfortable accommodations and natural surroundings.
Why families love it
- Highly praised horseback riding trails with gorgeous, well-cared-for horses.
- Exceptional, patient, kind, and informative instructors (e.g., Fadi, Mr. Jim, Andrew, Christian, Donovan) who excel at matching riders with suitable horses.
- Unique opportunity to pet and feed the horses after the ride, enhancing the experience for children and animal lovers.
- Beautiful and nicely shaded trails, especially beneficial during summer months.
- Variety of camp activities available beyond horseback riding, including paintball and swimming, catering to diverse interests.
- Relaxing retreat atmosphere with cute cabins and hammocks for unwinding.
Insider tips
- Book the 7 am slot for horseback riding during summer months to enjoy cooler temperatures and perfect weather.
- Be prepared for a full day of activities if attending a retreat, as participants wished for more time.
- Engage with the instructors as they are known to be informative and entertaining, adding to the experience.
- Consider booking for special occasions or family retreats, as it's highlighted for 'sisterhood' and 'family fun'.
Good to know before you go
- One review mentioned wishing they had more time, suggesting a rich itinerary that might feel packed or leave visitors wanting a longer stay, but not a negative.
- Crowds
- No explicit mentions of crowd levels. However, the recommendation for 7 am slots in summer could imply it gets busier or hotter later in the day.
- Value
- Pricing details are not mentioned in the reviews. However, the consistent high satisfaction and numerous positive comments about the staff, activities, and overall experience suggest a strong perceived value for money, making it a highly recommended experience.
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations for special needs are mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- Staff (e.g., Andrew, Christian, Donovan) are praised for taking great care of guests and matching horses appropriately, which implies a focus on rider safety and comfort.
What parents say
"I attended an amazing retreat Nurturing your soul retreat it was so relaxing , the camp activities were fun paintball, horseback , swimming we had a blast the , The retreat speakers/presenters were great learned a lot and a great weekend of sisterhood and family fun. It was so much to do wish we had more time. really just what we needed as a family loved this event best weekend ! Sn loved the cabins so cute and the hammocks very relaxing at Fajr 💕"
5 months ago
"Me and my son did the horse back riding trail with Fadi. he was a great instructor and all of the staff were extremely helpful and kind the horses and trail were gorgeous. If you are ever in the Dallas Fort Worth area I would definitely recommend this. We can’t wait to come back and do it again."
a week ago
"Thanks too Mr Jim and Fadi for the ride it's the best time I've had the staff is amazing and at the end of the ride they let us stick around to pet the horses and feed them I will be back best day ever"
5 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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