Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my pet?
Sorry, No. But Angelic Paws Dog Training can board your dog and even do some training while you stay at the Ranch.
Unfortunately, We have found that new dogs create a lot of excitement among all our animals and the excitement lasts long after the new dog leaves. We try hard to keep all our animals in harmony so guests and visitors have a pleasant and safe experience. Sorry, please do not bring your pets.
What is included in the price of an overnight stay?
The price of the rental apartment includes:
Access to the apartment, the lobby, the patio area
View of the scenery and pastures surrounding the equestrian center and of the indoor riding arena where the horses often hang out and play
Numerous opportunities to meet the animals that walk and fly all around.
Guinea pigs are in the lobby.
Our miniature pigs come and go in the lobby often. They have a pen outside. They sleep in owners apartment and often nap in the lobby. They also like to walk around and root up the grass and dirt.
Our chickens and ducks walk and waddle all over the place.
There are a lot of wild birds here too. Kildeer often lay eggs in nests in the parking area and driveway. You will likely see them running and flying around if you look.
Swallows and pigeons and sparrows are all over the place so it is common to see baby birds in nests in spring and summer. Eagles, Sand Hill Cranes, Geese, Pelicans, Seagulls, Deer, Turkeys etc. are common sights.
The dogs of course will want to greet you every time you come out of your apartment or return from a trip (please watch for them in the parking lot).
The horses and goat are available to say hello at the fence any time they are not busy grazing.
We are usually happy to take guests around and introduce them to critters, but guests may not go in pastures or the stall area unescorted.
Guests can walk around with wranglers as they do chores (signed liability waiver required).
Campfire and Bonfire (weather permitting) - When Wrangler Roger is in a good mood, which is most of the time, he likes to sit with families and tell spooky stories, sing songs, and tell dad jokes at campfires. But we respect guests' privacy if they want it. Portable campfire pit has a grill on top you can use to cook on.
Kitchen has everything you will need to cook meals.
Outdoor Propane Grill
Wireless Internet Connection
Television
Air Conditioning
Ping Pong/Pool Table
Not included in the price of an overnight stay:
Horseback rides
Canoe/kayak tours/rentals
Food/Drinks
What is the Ranch like?
Our 24,400 sf. rustic equestrian center overlooks beautiful and serene Mississippi River backwaters. This section of the Mississippi is a lush fish and wildlife preserve. The guest apartments are inside the equestrian center so you will be sleeping under the same roof as the horses. Your view to the west is of pastures and spectacular riverview sunsets. To the east you will be looking down into the 60' x 160' indoor horse riding arena where our horses often lounge and play. There is so much to do and see that your kids will forget they have a cell phone in their pocket.
Where is Riverview Ranch Located?
Our Ranch is conveniently located just 6 miles from Galena Illinois, arguably the most beautiful part of Illinois on the edge of the Mississippi river. For directions see https://riverviewrandr.com/contact.html
What airport do I fly into?
Dubuque regional airport is about 35 minute drive away. We do not provide a shuttle service to DBQ.
Orchard Landing, (3IS4, Merkle Field) is about 8 nm south of Galena, 18 nm southeast of KDBQ; a nice grass airstrip run by a family who has an apple orchard. https://orchardlandingfarm.com/ It is less than 5 miles from the ranch. We will pick you up if you fly into Orchard Landing.
How many guests does the Ranch accommodate?
We have two apartments and can accommodate up to 14 guests.
Are you open year round?
Yes! We don't ride if the temperature dips below 20 degrees F. The place is beautiful year round. In winter our guests enjoy the proximity to Chestnut Mountain Ski resort. We are less than a mile away from the bottom of the ski slopes. You can park your car at the bottom of the mountain and take the ski lift to the top.
Do you have phone service and wifi?
We have wifi available for guests free of charge. The password is on the refrigerator in your apartment. We have land-line phone service in the office. Most carriers have fairly good cell phone service here. We have had Verizon, US Cellular and T-Mobile. They all have been about the same. Sometimes the signal is not so great in the downstairs apartment but that is where the owners live. The rental apartments have good signal.
What is the Check In and Check Out time?
Check in is 4 pm and checkout is 11 am.
How long have we been in business?
We bought the property in 2015. After needed repairs we moved in in 2017, and started giving horseback rides for hire in early 2020. We halted operations while COVID played out, and Started up again in spring 2021.What are the dining options at the Ranch?
We have some food staples like milk and bread, some frozen foods like pizza, and locally brewed root beer. We also keep ice cream available so guests can make root beer floats. In 2024 we have a lot of chickens and a duck laying eggs for us, so we can usually make fresh eggs available to guests too. We ask that guests leave a reasonable donation for whatever they take from the refrigerators.
The ski resort down the road has a restaurant which will make sandwiches for picnics. There is a fine dining restaurant just next door. There are many wonderful restaurants in Galena, about 6 miles away.
Do I need to stay at the Ranch to ride the horses and pet the animals?
You do not need to stay here to participate in any of the activities.
What horse riding activities are available?
We do not go on trail rides. We ride one horse at a time with Wrangler Roger leading the horse. If you want something a little more exciting we can put you on a horse being lunged. You can ride with an English saddle to practice posting or with a Western saddle (max 200 lbs). You can opt to ride bareback if you are less than 180 lbs. More info at https://riverviewrandr.com/animals.html
Are children welcome?
Of course. Kids love it here. We want everyone in the family to have a great time. We find that Mom and Dad have a great time just watching the kids having a great time. So, our focus is on keeping the kids smiling.
Where can I go on the property?
Owners live in apartment 1 so please don't enter the doors marked private without an invitation. You are welcome to stay in the apartment you book, the downstairs lobby, and the patio area in front of the building. The patio has campfire pits, propane barbeque grills, and is adjascent to the dressage area and the outdoor riding arena. Guests may pet horses over the fence but may not enter a horse enclosure without a wrangler escort.
Is there a resort fee?
We do not charge a resort fee.
How much of a deposit is required to make a reservation?
Payment in full is required for bookings within 2 weeks of arrival date. 50% deposit is required for bookings longer than 2 weeks in advance.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation by the Guest
Full refund for
cancellations up to 5 days (120 hours) before check-in date/time.
24
hours to 5 days before check in, 50% refund, minus the first
night.
Less than 24 hours before check in, no refund except for
legitimate necessity such as COVID illness.
The times and dates
we display for cancellation policies are based on the local time
zone, CST. Cancellation deadlines for receiving refunds are measured
from the standard check-in time of 4:00 PM.
Cancellation by Host
In exceptional circumstances, the
Host may find it necessary to cancel the Guest’s booking and
reserves the right to do so at any point.
The Host shall make
all reasonable efforts to find a suitable alternative. If this is
declared not acceptable by the Guest within 24 hours of them being
notified of the change of property, and assuming the cancellation is
not as a result of events beyond the Host’s reasonable control,
which shall include but not be limited to events such as war, civil
strife, terrorist activity, labor disputes, natural or man-made
disaster, fire, flood, and adverse weather conditions. In that case,
the Host will refund any sum paid by the Guest if cancelled prior to
the reservation or a refund of the remainder of the booked nights if
the Guest has already checked in, which shall constitute a full and
final settlement of any liability the Owner or the Host may have to
the Guest as a result of such cancellation. This does not affect the
Guest’s statutory rights. More specifically, nothing in these
conditions shall restrict the Host’s liability for death or
personal injury caused by the Host’s negligence or fraudulent
Misrepresentation.
Where can I find the Terms and Conditions?
https://riverviewrnr.zeevou.direct/terms-conditions
Where can I find the Privacy Policy?
https://riverviewrnr.zeevou.direct/privacy-policy
Can I do laundry at the Ranch?
We have a washer and dryer that we can make available to guests on request.
What should I pack for my trip to the Ranch?
We encourage guests and visitors to wear sturdy shoes when around horses. We have some sizes of cowboy boots and hats guests are welcome to wear while at the ranch. Not Wrangler Roger's hat or boots. We have helmets. We recommend bringing swimwear. We recommend bringing some warm clothing even in summer for the campfires. The temperature can drop quickly once the sun goes down.
What is the smoking policy?
We have a no smoking policy.
