Horseback riding in Wyoming

By: Pablo Imberti Posted: 11/12/2020

This time, we take the opportunity to ride in Wyoming, one of the largest states in the United States where you will feel like Bufallo Bill in the vastness of its plains and the Rocky Mountains.

Since its population density is among the lowest in North America, you can go for incredible horse rides immersed in an unspoiled natural environment.

Wyoming is home to the country's first national park, Yellowstone National Park, where we can find hundreds of animal species, spectacular canyons and alpine rivers.

Its geography includes mostly open grasslands, high deserts and wide mountain ranges. It also has many small villages and lots of places to see, such as historical buildings, museums, shops and restaurants.

This is the right place to discover the last traces of the Old West, Native American reservations and several ghost towns.

Horse ranch vacations in Wyoming

Famous for its western movies and historic characters like William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, Wyoming has miles of beautiful scenery for horseback riding. Equestrian Tourism lovers can find their paradise here and they will come back to this place to see it all.

For those experienced riders with a truly adventurous spirit, there is nothing like “off-road” riding and visiting the wildest and most remote regions, where you can only go on horseback. Miles of natural landscapes, untouched by humans.

As you travel on horseback across this “cowboy state”, you can stay in one of its famous Ranches and join cowboys during their daily activities. For all we have mentioned, Ampascachi’s content team recommends visiting Wyoming.

Bitterroot Ranch

The Bitterroot Ranch, located near Dubois, Wyoming, offers some of the best and most diverse horseback riding in North America.

The Shoshone National Forest borders the ranch and Yellowstone National Park is just fifty miles away across unspoiled, mountainous wilderness.

Enjoy constantly changing vistas with the Wind River and Absaroka mountains always in sight during your vacation.

The Hosts at Bitterroot Ranch: the Fox Family

The Bitterroot was established as a guest and working ranch in 1971 by Bayard Fox. Bayard, his wife Mel and their son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Hadley, have sought ever since to create an outstanding horseback riding vacation that is unique among dude ranches. All four love horses and have been riding since early childhood.

They also own Equitours Worldwide Horseback Riding Vacations and ride all over the world when the ranch is closed for the winter. These experiences have given them many insights into the best ways to run a riding program for your maximum safety and enjoyment.

Accommodations at the Bitterroot Ranch

The Bitterroot Ranch is located along the East Fork of the Wind River and guests stay in private log cabins situated on either side of the stream.

An attempt has been made to retain the authenticity and rustic charm of a bygone era, which is reflected in the atmosphere of the cabins and old main lodge with its huge stone fireplaces and broad porch where guests gather for meals and relaxing evenings.

The cabins have been carefully furnished and decorated throughout the over 40 years the Bitterroot has been open as a guest ranch.

Many of the cabins have an interesting history but they have been modernized over the years; all have electric heat and showers, most have bathtubs and some have wood burning stoves.

Horseback riding with Bitterroot

“Horse Lovers Will Think They’ve Died and Gone to Heaven” says “1,000 Places to See before You Die” about the Bitterroot Ranch.

Their horses have been raised and trained on the ranch for this purpose. The Bitterroot Ranch maintains a herd of about 135 horses under saddle for around 25 clients, making it easy to provide suitable mounts in top condition throughout your horseback riding vacations.

Rides are kept small and guests are grouped according to their horse riding skill levels.

There are 2-3 hour morning and afternoon trail rides. All day picnic excursions on Saturdays enable you to explore the high country and most weeks there is an opportunity to herd cattle with their experienced cowboys.

Wyoming Trail Rides

Northwest Wyoming is an area of vast expanses offering you an exceptional variety of horseback riding terrain.

Some rides wind through cottonwood and spruce trees along the river; others take you through the sagebrush of the high plains desert, where the sandy soil provides good footing for spirited canters. Still others climb up through aspen groves, which become a glorious gold in the fall.

In the high country, the rugged pine clad mountains of the Shoshone National Forest give way to Alpine meadows. There are a few abandoned settler homesteads and cowboy camps in the area.

Horse Riding Lessons at the Ranch

You are offered the opportunity to take videotaped riding lessons at beginner and intermediate levels on two mornings a week. These lessons, taught by Certified Horsemanship Association certified Hadley Fox in a small group setting, lead to a heightened awareness of the connection between horse and rider and will increase your confidence and enjoyment.

They also host riding clinics for those interested in a more focused educational experience.

Cross Country Jumping Course

They have a cross country course with over 80 jumps which advanced riders who have prior cross country experience can try during the week.

It is not an intimidating course since no jump is more than three foot, but there are a wide variety of obstacles including ditches, drops, oxers, pickets, coops and walls.

Cattle Drive vacations in Wyoming

Since the Bitterroot is also a working ranch you will have the opportunity to move cattle on our summer grazing lease in the national forest through July, August and September.

The cows frequently need to be checked to be sure they have not been eaten by grizzlies or wolves and they are periodically rotated around the allotment, part of which is in the wilderness.

On Friday afternoons, they have a friendly team sorting competition in their arena which provides a great introduction to working cattle from horseback.

Horseback Riding Safety

Your safety as a horseback rider is of vital concern to them. They keep rides small, carefully match horses to riders, see that people of similar skills ride together and train ride leaders carefully.

They insist that everyone wear a riding helmet and their trail guides carry mobile phones to summon help in case it is needed.

Their horses and philosophy

A Guest Ranch with a unique equestrian focus. Bitterroot Ranch horses are rounded up early each morning and brought into the ranch corral.

Life at Bitterroot Ranch revolves around their horses. Their selection, breeding, training and care are of paramount importance and consume most of their energy throughout the year so that they can offer you the best possible horseback riding vacation.

Many of their horses have been born on the ranch. They socialize naturally in a herd environment and are released every afternoon to roam in a large pasture until they are gathered the next morning.

Their careful training and care allow you to enjoy trail riding on responsive horses.

Their ranch herd is made up of many different breeds including Quarter Horses, Mustangs, Percherons, Appaloosas and some lovely Welsh ponies as well as Spanish and CMK Arabians that they raise and train at the Ranch.

Find more details about them and be amazed by their special service on their web site: https://www.bitterrootranch.com/

/ Photos: Bitterroot Ranch /

Would you fancy the idea of traveling the world on the back of a horse, but you don't know how to plan it?

Download our free eBook "How to plan your next horseback trip" and learn all you need to know when planning an unforgettable horse riding holiday.

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