Gunstock Ranch Oahu | A Working Ranch, a Mountain Lookout, and a Unicorn

Gunstock Ranch sits on 900 acres in Kahuku on Oahu’s North Shore, about 45 minutes north of Kailua and an hour from Waikiki. It’s a working cattle ranch with longhorn bulls, wild pigs, peacocks, and horses that know the trails well. Rides range from one-hour scenic trail rides to private sunset dinners on the mountain, with options starting at age 2. The free petting zoo is open to all visitors. It’s one of the better non-beach days on this side of the island, and one of the few places on Oahu where kids under 7 can get on a full-size horse.

A Pandemic Discovery

During the pandemic, when options for kids were thin and tourist numbers were low, many operations on Oahu offered deep kamaaina discounts. Outdoor activities were suddenly appealing in a different way, and we took advantage: boat tours, ATV rides, and eventually horseback riding at Gunstock Ranch.

I had been here before to photograph the coolest kids birthday party on Oahu — pony rides, week-old baby goats in the petting zoo, a shave ice truck, lawn games, a campfire. The ranch does a lot. But this was our first time on the trails.

Our kids had been taking riding lessons during the pandemic, one of the few activities we could find at the time, and they had spent months going in slow circles in an arena. They were ready to actually go somewhere.

We arrived early. Plenty of free time, nowhere else to be. The petting zoo pulled us in immediately and everyone was happy. Then they were introduced to their trail horses and stood on the mounting steps with helmeted heads bobbing, practically vibrating with excitement.

My husband joined the trail ride while I took the ATV version for photos. Trail horses at Gunstock are slow and steady, not easily spooked, which means you have time to actually look around. Rolling hills, tree-lined paths, longhorn cattle watching you pass, a glimpse of wild boar moving through the brush. The kids peppered our patient guide with an endless barrage of questions the entire way. At the summit, wide-open views along the windward coast, cool wind, the kind of quiet that doesn’t exist in Waikiki. We chose a shorter ride but the ranch offers a sunset dinner option and a campfire experience for those who want to stay longer.

When the Horses Were Unicorns

Years later I returned with clients. Two girls, ages 4 and 6, in matching colorful dresses. We had arranged a Horsemanship Experience, which is different from the standard trail ride and different again from a pony ride. These girls got to meet and groom their horses before the ride which had been decorated as glamorous unicorns by request.

They stood in front of those giant painted beasts completely awestruck. Then they mounted, each with their own handler, and set off on a loop through the ranch that took the better part of half an hour. Not the scenic summit trail but not a corral either. Real horses, real movement, real concentration on the faces of two very small girls who were doing something they would talk about for a long time.

Afterwards they fed their horses alfalfa cubes and that may have been even better than the ride itself. The littlest one had been quiet and observant all morning at Kawela Bay, watching from a distance. The horses brought out an entirely different version of her. Loud, silly, fully herself.

That session is on film.

See Their Morning Adventure

The morning started at Kawela Bay by skipping rocks with dad, making bubbles, and finding shells along the shore. Then came swimsuits and calm water. Then Gunstock Ranch, where the horses are apparently unicorns. If you want to know what a Little Bird morning looks like on this side of the island, this is a good place to start.

Is Gunstock Ranch Worth It?

Yes. A few things worth knowing before you go.

It’s especially worth it for families with animal-loving kids. The petting zoo alone earns the visit for little ones, and the combination of grooming, feeding, and actually riding a horse is hard to replicate anywhere on Oahu. The guides are patient and genuinely good with children.

The sunset ride is the best version of the experience. Cooler temperatures, better light, and the panoramic lookout at the top make it the one to book if you’re choosing.

For very young children, the Horsemanship Experience (age 2 and up, from $112) is worth knowing about. This is not a pony ride around an arena. Kids meet and groom their horse, then ride with a handler on a proper loop through the ranch. It’s a full experience on a full-size horse, which is a meaningfully different thing than what most people picture when they hear pony ride.

Standard trail rides are for ages 7 and up. Book in advance, especially in summer. Tours run small and fill quickly.

What to Know Before You Go

Address: 56-250 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku. About an hour north of Waikiki, 45 minutes from Kailua.

Arrive early: Check in 30 to 45 minutes before your tour. There’s a safety briefing before every ride and the trail waits for no one. Arriving early also gives you time in the petting zoo, which is free and worth it.

Rides at a glance:

Trail rides are for ages 7 and up and run from one hour to a full sunset experience with campfire dinner. The sunset ride is the most popular. If you want to go fast, the Private Advanced Trail is for ages 12 and up with prior experience required.

For younger kids, the Pony Ride and Horsemanship Experience are both open from age 2. The Horsemanship Experience is the one mentioned above.

Check current availability and book at gunstockranch.com.

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes. Long pants recommended. Helmets are provided.

Weight limit: 240 lbs for trail rides.

Family Photos Near Gunstock Ranch

The kind of morning that ends with your kids still talking about it at dinner is worth holding onto. Some families add a morning adventure to their trip for exactly that reason.

You can see what that looks like here, here, and here. And if it looks like something your family would be into, here’s where to start.

After Gunstock Ranch – More Ideas for Family Fun on Oahu

Places to eat near Gunstock Ranch

Eateries to fill your belly after a day at Gunstock Ranch or you could book a dinner tour ;)

• Seven Brother’s Burgers. Informal counter-serve digs showcasing a modern take on American burgers, fries & milkshakes. Undeniably tasty!
• Kahuku Superette. Seek out the tasty poke in the back of this convenience store. Immediately, grab a bowl and make your way to the beach!
• Angel’s Ice Cream. Great little shop with ice cream, dole whips and shave ice.
• Roy’s Beach House. Pacific rim fare for lunch or dinner. Although it’s pricey, it’s worth the splurge.

Beaches to Explore near Gunstock Ranch

• Laie Beach Park. A tranquil escape on the north shore that feels far away. Locally known as Pounder’s Beach for the sound of the shore break hitting the cliffs at the southern end.
• Bathtub Beach. A shallow, sand-bottomed swimming hole that’s protected by a tidal shelf creating a baby swimming pool at low tide.
• Malaekahana Beach. A quiet (except on weekend when it fills with local campers) and spacious beach park with bathrooms and Goat Island offshore.
• Kokololio Beach Park. A narrow stretch of shaded shoreline with bathrooms is quiet and peaceful on weekdays. At low tide, you can explore tide pools along the coast and on weekends it’s full of families celebrating and camping.

Seeking More Options for Solitude on Oahu?

If you’re looking for more places where you can feel far away and enjoy solitude, head to Makua Beach on the Leeward Coast or grab a kayak and play in the middle of Kaneohe Bay.

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