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Dude ranching, reimagined

A dude ranch experience wrapped in Southern Hospitality in the heart of Georgia

17 UNIQUE GUEST ROOMS

12 DECKS & LOUNGES

225 ACRES OF POSSIBILITIES

‘Ranch’ doesn’t have to mean “roughing it”

Many people feel that they are not cut out for dude ranching out West. Most ‘ dude ranches’ are just that – ranches, for dudes; leaving few desirable choices for those of us that enjoy a little relaxation and pampering too!

In 1991, we set out to change that. Here you’ll find everything you would expect of a horseback riding vacation; in a relaxing, peaceful setting with a warm, Southern twist – no bunkhouses or 6 AM wake up calls.. …and not an outhouse in sight!

What you can look forward to:

Plush guest rooms

A comfy bed awaits you in our thoughtfully laid out guest rooms which are divided into six room types; each offering varying levels of floor space, views and capacities. We have rooms for budding cowboys and cowgirls, rooms that boast southern elegance and everything in between. For families, some even have multiple bed arrangements!

Comfort around every corner

For those that want to switch off and enjoy some real down time, the ranch offers a dozen different decks and lounges for you to enjoy. Relax with a great book and top up your tan by the pool, snuggle up by the fire, or sneak off to take a nap on one of our garden beds - the choice is yours!

Fresh air & wide open spaces

With 225 acres of pasture and woodland, for those with ants in their pants, there’s no shortage of places to roam! If the game room, swimming pool, or fire pit isn't enough, you can wander the pastures to mingle with horses, take a mountain bike ride, or hike one of our trails to see what critters you can find. At Southern Cross Guest Ranch, the great outdoors is a just a few steps away.

Do you love your
creature comforts?
We do too!

Do you love your creature comforts?
We do too!

For 40 years, Inge (the owner) has been hosting visitors from far and wide on her farm. She knew she was onto something back in 1991 when her some of her 18 house guests had to sleep in the kitchen!
Read her incredible story here.

“True Southern hospitality: From the room, to the food; everything was amazing. The scenery is beautiful and the staff is beyond accommodating. We can’t wait to come back. Thank you for making this trip so incredibly memorable!” - Melissa A.

“This was one of the most breathtaking places I have ever visited! The staff was exceptional, and the food was plentiful and delicious and they took great pride in their service!“ - Brenda Byron Thorn

Our Room Types

Woodland Grand Family Suite

Expansive two bedroom suite with 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds, Large TV, private bath & Washer/Dryer.

Separate 550 sq ft Family Room & 360 sq foot covered balcony – The ultimate family experience!
Max Occupancy: 6

Superior Luxe King

A luxury room – King bed with fireplace, large TV, & spacious deluxe bathroom with whirlpool bath, walk-in shower & double vanity.

Rooms: Cattle Baron, Charleston
Max Occupancy: 2

Superior King

An upscale, spacious room with a King bed, good views, TV & private bath. Some rooms may accommodate a child on a roll-away or sleeper sofa. Please call to check availability. 

Rooms: Savannah, Magnolia, Southern Belle,
Scarlet O’Hara
Max Occupancy: 3

Family King Plus

Perfect room for families. They feature a King bed “plus” either a Queen, Twin or Sofa bed for a second bed as well as TV & private bath.

Rooms: Painted Desert, Iroquois, Seminole, Red River
Max Occupancy: 4

Classic Plantation King

Cozy, Classic standard room with King bed, TV & private bath. Rooms may have partially obstructed view.

Rooms: Mint Julep, Plantation, Senoma & General Lee
Max Occupancy: 2

Rustic Interior Economy

Basic Rustic economy room with Queen bed, TV & private bath. These are small rooms located on lower level with no view.

Rooms: Navajo and Cherokee
Max Occupancy: 2

All guests can enjoy...

stay

“Great getaway where the guest is treated as family, the rooms are gorgeous, the horses are well trained and cared for and the food is delicious. The staff obviously loves what they do.”

– Ron L.

How to book:

1. Choose your plan

There’s something for everyone! For those who want a lot of saddle time the All-Inclusive riding plan is by far the best option! Rides can be added a la carte to all other plans.

2. Select your room type & dates

17 uniquely decorated guest rooms offer a wide variety of room choices over six different room types. Each room has its own bathroom and all of the amenities you would expect at your home away from home! We are open year round to welcome guests and riders to the ranch! Our booking tool will help you decide!

3. Get the rest that you deserve!

No last minute arrangements, no taxi rides, no stress and no wrangling stray family members. Park your car and leave it - everything you need will be taken care of right here so all you need to do is let us show what a relaxing vacation truly is.

Beyond your room...

The luxury and comfort doesn’t end at your room, our welcoming guest house offers many other places for you to relax and unwind! With over a dozen decks and lounges, you just won’t know where to take your first nap!

“From the moment you arrive you feel at home and at peace. There is so much to do and nothing to worry about. Taking in the beauty of the sunrise over the pasture, enjoying the gentle horses and ending the day with a quiet sunset is the best way to spend a vacation.”

– Michelle A.

Your plan options:

All-Inclusive (Riding)

Saddle up for two daily rides in addition to lodging, all meals, all amenities, snacks, beverages, mountain bikes and lots more!

All-Inclusive (Non-Riding)

All of the delicious and fun perks of the riding plan, with even more time to relax and unwind!

Bed & Breakfast

Just looking for a place to rest your head? Enjoy our welcoming guest rooms and a hearty breakfast with our Bed & Breakfast plan

Accommodation FAQs

Guests visit from all over the world for a variety of reasons. Most come for a riding vacation; some come to visit the historic town of Madison, while others visit just to take in the beauty and tranquility that the ranch has to offer. Southern Cross is a great place for couples, singles, and families too. We invite you to read our guests’ comments posted online from our guest book to read what other guests had to say.

Arrival Day:

  • 1:00pm lunch
  • 2:15pm Afternoon trail ride
  • 6:00pm Supper

Middle Days:

  • 8:00am Breakfast
  • 9:15am Morning trail ride
  • 1:00pm lunch
  • 2:15pm Afternoon trail ride
  • 6:00pm Supper

Departure Day:

  • 8:00am Breakfast
  • 9:15am Morning trail ride
Unfortunately, we cannot allow pets in our guest rooms. However, you may rent a stall in our stable ($20/night) to board your pet. This arrangement is ideal for most guests with larger dogs. It’s like camping for dogs. However, this may not be acceptable for every pet owner. If you are unsure, we encourage guests to make other arrangements for their pets.
Not necessarily. Our riding packages are created with a significant value in mind. Many times, booking a non-riding plan and buying two or more rides separately will cost as much or more than a riding package that could possibly include much more riding. It is not uncommon for guests to pass up a ride or two during their stay in order to relax and/or do other activities on the ranch or nearby.

Covid-19 Questions and Answers

We have enhanced our sanitation practices. We are frequently sanitizing touch points throughout the guest and staff areas and especially all bathrooms and dining areas.  One tool that we use to sanitize the ranch is a high tech electrostatic sprayer (used by Delta, Marriott, schools, daycare facilities, hospitals and more).  This sprayer applies a very small amount of hospital grade disinfectant which is non-toxic and leaves no residue after it evaporates. 

Floor markers have been installed in high traffic areas such as lobby and buffet line to assist with social distancing.

In an effort to reduce cross-contamination between guest rooms. We are not servicing guestrooms during this time.  All guest rooms are thoroughly aired and sanitized prior to the next check in. 

At this time, it is not mandatory for guests to bring masks, however they are welcome to.  However, our chef & his team do wear masks during meal service.

We have installed monitored hand sanitizing stations in the dining hall, and a staff member is present to ensure that all guests sanitize their hands before obtaining items from the buffet.

Education of staff in the importance of monitoring their own health and compliance with safety guidelines.

Snacks are offered as individually wrapped packages.