Hitting the trails on horseback in Bryce Canyon Country is a fun and memorable adventure. A variety of equestrian trails for horseback riding lead through diverse landscapes and scenery, from groomed paths to remote backcountry. Outfitters throughout Bryce Canyon Country can assist with guided half, full, or multi-day excursions for a true Wild West experience on horseback.
Kodachrome Basin
Saddle up and experience the beauty of Kodachrome Basin State Park on horseback. The Kodachrome Equestrian Trail offers riders a unique way to explore the park’s colorful sandstone spires, sweeping desert views, and quiet backcountry landscapes. This scenic trail is designed for horseback riding, giving visitors the chance to slow down and take in the striking scenery at a relaxed pace. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just looking for a new way to enjoy Bryce Canyon Country, this trail provides a memorable adventure.Local outfitters and a seasonal vendor inside Kodachrome Basin State Park offer guided equestrian tours. Kodachrome Basin State Park is located near Cannonville, about nine miles south of Scenic Byway 12.
Tropic
The town of Tropic, near Kodachrome Basin and Bryce Canyon, is located along Scenic Byway 12 and is a great starting point for equestrian trips. A local outfitter offers guided horseback rides through the Dixie National Forest. Shorter equestrian trail rides along Scenic Byway 12 lead to Tropic Reservoir and the bristlecone pines.
Escalante River
The Escalante River Trailhead runs through the heart of the Escalante Canyons section of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. There’s nothing quite like exploring this unspoiled wilderness on horseback. Just west of Scenic Byway 12 the popular equestrian trail gives access to Pine Creek, Death Hollow, Sand Creek, The Gulch, and Boulder Creek for a variety of ride options, even a short ride in/ride out. Explore this sheer-walled, red sandstone sanctuary on horseback amongst the cottonwood trees, ponderosa, sagebrush, and wildflowers that dot the riverbanks and side canyons. Highlights along the trail include the 130-foot high Escalante Natural Bridge, a petroglyph panel and Anasazi ruins, Escalante Natural Arch, and Skyline Arch. Sections of the trail require crossing the Escalante River so know your horse’s abilities.
Escalante and Boulder
Escalante and Boulder are great base camps for hitting the high-altitude equestrian trails. Part of the Dixie National Forest, there are endless opportunities for exploration around the many alpine lakes that dot Boulder Mountain. Thousand Lake Mountain, near Capitol Reef National Park, has red sandstone canyons at its lower slopes and wide, open meadows and ponderosa pine forests at its higher altitudes, all perfect for exploring on horseback. Capitol Reef National Park offers horseback riders unbridled beauty and adventure along diverse terrain, from the rugged slickrock of the Waterpocket Fold to the alpine lakes and remote sandstone canyons. Colorful mesas, spires, and other rock formations set the stage for a rugged equestrian adventure in Capitol Reef’s remote backcountry, while unmarked paths and groomed trails inside the park allow riders of all skill levels a chance to experience the Wild West on horseback. Check with park rangers for equestrian trail guides and conditions.
