The Rocky Mountains run right through the heart of Colorado, as does a love of horses and trail riding. Horses may provide one of the best means of transportation in these rugged mountains, allowing for a leisurely exploration of flora and fauna that inhabits the Rockies from 8,000 to more than 14,000 feet in elevation. Rocky Mountain National Park welcomes equestrians, as do many ranchers and outfitters who offer trail rides both in and out of the park.
Rocky Mountain National Park Trails
Nearly 80 percent of Rocky Mountain National Park's trail system is open to use for riding, totaling approximately 260 miles of trails. These trails aren't limited to horse use, as the park also allows mules, llamas, ponies and burros, although goats are not permitted. The National Park Service recommends the trailheads of Big Meadows, East Inlet, Lawn Lake, Ypsilon Lake, Lost Lake, Thunder Lake and Finch Lake for horses.
Park Areas Closed to Horses
While the park opens 80 percent of its trails to horseback riding, it's important to know where horses are not allowed.
On the east side of the park, all Alluvial Fan trails, Andrews Glacier trail, Estes Cone trail, Spruce Lake trail in the Fern Lake area, Forest Canyon Overlook trail, Horsetooth Peak trail, Lily Lake trail, North St. Vrain Fire trail, Sky Pond trail and Ute trail are closed for horses. Also, horses are not allowed on the Bierstadt Lake trail to the park and ride shuttle bus parking lot, parts of the Bear Lake area, Longs Peak area, Mummy Range area, North Fork area, Sprague Lake area and Wild Basin.
On the west side, Specimen Mountain trail, parts of Poudre River trail, East Inlet trail, East Shore trail, Haynach Lakes trail, Long Meadows area, Willow Creek area and all trails above Grand Ditch, except Thunder Pass Trail, are closed to horses.
Housing for Horses In Rocky Mountain National Park
Glacier Creek Stables and Moraine Park Stables provide enclosed housing for horses in the park. The park has some designated stock sites for camping with horses while traveling overnight in backcountry. Specific rules apply for these horse camps--for instance, grazing is prohibited--and campers must have permits.
Guides and Rides
Stables and ranches surround Rocky Mountain National Park, and many happily provide rides within the park. Some may rent out horses for guests to use in the park while others provide guides.
Sombrero Ranches is one of the foremost trail ride providers with stables throughout the area offering different trails and choices. In addition to a 10-hour ride across the Continental Divide, Sombrero rides include:
Allenspark
Ride locations: National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park
Ride durations: 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-hour; fishing and pack-in trips
Estes Park
Ride locations: National Forest, private working ranch
Ride durations: 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 8-hour; breakfast and dinner rides
Grand Lake
Ride locations: Forests and meadows around Grand Lake
Ride durations: 2-, 4-, 5- and 8-hour; breakfast, dinner, fishing and pack-in rides
Steamboat Springs
Ride locations: Forests and trails above Steamboat Springs
Ride durations: 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-hour; breakfast and evening steak rides; half or whole day fishing, hunting or pack-in rides
Glacier Campground
Ride locations: From Glacier Creek in Rocky Mountain National Park
Ride durations: 2-, 3-, 5-, 8- and 10-hour
Meeker Horse Camp
Ride locations: Unguided; private ranch trails; White River National Forest or Flat Tops Wilderness Area
Ride durations: Rental by day, week or month; 1- to 2-hour rides; full day
Moraine Campground
Ride locations: Moraine Park
Ride durations: 2-, 4- or 8-hour
Safety and Ethics
While specific rules apply within Rocky Mountain National Park, using horse trails safely and treating the wilderness ethically are good habits for everyone. Remember that the Colorado Rockies are wild, and all wild animals are potential threats to you or your horse. While an attack is unlikely, your horse doesn't know that, so use only calm, well-trained animals and understand that they see the world differently than their riders.
