This summer horse fans can experience the adventures and take in the panoramic view at the Colorado and Wyoming’s rugged mountains and valleys, Arizona’s dessert, California’s beaches and forests and North Dakota’s backcountry trails.
Here are Travelmath’s 5 great places for equestrian tours this summer:
Medora, North Dakota
Medora is 44 miles from Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK) and is served by Delta and United. Medora was Theodore Roosevelt’s buffalo hunting grown in the late 1800s. Mr. Roosevelt had two large ranches and invested in raising cattle before becoming President of the United States.
Today Medora still offers the “Old West” experience for the whole family. Among the many activities offered, horseback riding is among one of the favorites for tourists. Medora Riding Stables and Trail Rides is open to riders seven years and up. The trail takes you to a Badlands adventure along buttes and paintbrush canyons at an affordable price of $29 per hour.
An experienced wrangler will match you with the right horse to make your tour as comfortable as possible.
Information: Medora
Phoenix, Arizona
Located at the Phoenix South Mountain Park, Ponderosa Stables is conveniently located and close to the city of Phoenix. There are over 20 airlines that fly into Phoenix Sky International Airport.
Choose between Trail Rides, Breakfast Rides or Steak Dinner Rides. The Steak Dinner Rides in the evening includes South Phoenix’s most authentic T-Bone Steakhouse food. You will also ride for an hour with views of the Sonoran Desert sunset.
Dinner is cooked over a mesquite grill. The horseback riding package comes with dinner and a selection of wines, microbrews, domestic beers, soft drinks and dessert. At the end of the evening your guide will take you through the mountains to view the valley lights before you say goodbye to your horse.
It costs $55 per person (not including dinner).
Information: Ponderosa’s T-Bone Steak Dinner Rides
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole Airport is located 18 miles from Jackson Hole city center. If you are flying into Jackson Hole, your only airline options are Delta and United.
On Jackson Hole Trail Rides you will experience riding on the Snow King Mountain with views of the town of Jackson Hole and the Grand Teton Mountain range. Rides here will take you to close proximity to nature like rivers, valleys and streams and wildlife like elks, bears, deer and beavers.
An hour ride is $38 per person.
Information: Jackson Hole Trail Rides
Aspen, Colorado
According to Colorado.com, the Maroon Bells (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak) are the most photographed peaks in Colorado. Join an equestrian tour at the Maroon Bells this summer and enjoy the views of these peaks as your backdrop.
The Maroon Bells is located outside of Aspen. Take a one and a half hour ride through snowmelt stream, snow-peaked mountains, glass-like lakes with aspens and conifers all around you.
Currently, United Airlines is the only airline that flies into Aspen, CO.
A one-hour ride costs $75 per person. Or combine horseback riding and fine dining along Maroon Creek for $200 per person (food included but not drinks).
Information: Maroon Bells
Mendocino Coast, California
According to Mendocino.com, the county is a collection of rugged coastlines, magical forests and sprawling vineyards. It is part of the Highway 1 route and if you are visiting and interested in equestrian tours, stop by at Fort Bragg’s Ricochet Ridge Ranch.
Fort Bragg is 165 miles north of San Francisco. The Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers unique equestrian tours called the Redwood Coast Riding Vacations. You will ride through redwood forests, working cattle ranches and along wild coastal beaches. These are not day tours but a six days six nights vacation that includes accommodation and some meals.
If you prefer daily trail rides, the ranch has the one and a half hour ride called the Ten Mile Beach Trail Ride for $50.
Information: Ricochet Ridge Ranch
A few things to look out for when going on an equestrian tour:
1. Make sure the ranch has qualified guides
2. Proper matching of horses with riders.
3. Wear a hard hat when riding.
4. Observe the weight limit and age limit.
