Riding through the rugged and majestic Yellowstone Park terrain on horseback connects you to the landscape like nothing else. The original exploration of Yellowstone was done on foot and on horseback, so experiencing the park atop a western saddled horse makes you feel like an original cowboy. Yellowstone National Park, in collaboration with Xanterra Parks & Resorts, maintains horseback riding trails through the park. Choose to ride horseback with a group on borrowed horses and gear or with your own horses and equipment.
Horseback Riding Trails
Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the nation's largest park concessions management company, offers horseback riding trips and trails through Yellowstone National Park. Select a one- or two-hour trail ride through Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon Village or the Tower and Roosevelt areas.
Choose an Interpretative Horseback Ride, for example, if you want a scenic route with a moderate difficulty level due to hills and some rougher terrain. For children, choose the Cowboys and Indians - Just for Kids ride. Select to ride for one to three hours learning about the history and culture of the Wild West traveling the Yellowstone wilderness on horseback. Children and their families can also enjoy a western cookout at the trail's end. The Yellowstone Park website strongly suggests interested riders book in advance.
Guided Trips
Arrange a guided stock trip on horseback with a certified stock outfitter. Guided stock trips let horseback riders dip into the backcountry to witness the most rustic trails and natural wonders behind-the-scenes. Book how many horses you would like for a trip into the park. Guides accompany you on the journey into the park on horseback, pointing out natural landmarks and explaining the history of the park. Note that stock outfitters, as affiliates of the park, must provide pre-approved animals and equipment to tour the park trails.
Private Stock Riding
Private stock can be brought into the park. This means you and your horseback riding party can bring your own horses to Yellowstone to explore the trails. However, overnight boarding is not permitted before July 1, as of 2010, because of trail conditions. Decide which trails you would like to visit, either the Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon or Tower and Roosevelt areas. Note that horses are not allowed in "frontcountry," or day-use campgrounds, but are permitted in some backcountry campsites.
Backcountry Trips
When planning your backcountry trip, remember that many of Yellowstone's trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. If you are renting horses from a lodge, ensure that the horses are prepared for this kind of sometimes slippery terrain or colder temperatures. If you are bringing your own horses, ensure that they are ready for this more challenging landscape.
When to Travel
Yellowstone is open year-round for horseback riding. When choosing a time to travel to Yellowstone, consider not only the weather conditions but leftover snow and rain. Most areas have leftover snow up until late May or early June; mountain passes are generally snow-covered into late July. Note that in spring and early summer some of the parks' creeks and streams can stretch as wide as 25 feet with depths of 3 to 6 feet at very cold temperatures.
References
- NPS.gov: Yellowstone National Park Horseback Riding and Llama Packing in Yellowstone
- Yellowstone National Park Lodges: Cowboys and Indians - Just for Kids
- National Park Service: Yellowstone: Backcountry Trip Planner (PDF, Page 11).
- National Park Service: Yellowstone: Horsepacking (PDF)
- NPS: Operating Hours & Seasons
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