Horseback Riding Vacations in Colorado

Colorado is noted for its vivid mountains, high plains and mesas, but its most outstanding feature may be its iconic cowboy culture and country living.

Colorado: The real “Far West” experience

Located in the southwestern part of the United States, the state of Colorado boasts a magnificent geographic diversity. Colorado is of Spanish origin, meaning “colored red”. The name was applied to the Colorado River because of the red sandstone soil of the region.

Colorado is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and it has the highest average elevation in the country. Here there are more than 50 mountain peaks that exceed 4,000 meters in height. The highest point is Mt. Elbert, located at 4,401 m above sea level.

Much of the eastern half of Colorado is part of the Great Plains of North America.

The Colorado Plateau covers the southwestern half of the state, where the Colorado River and its tributaries have carved many deep and narrow gorges. This region is characterized by mostly flat-lying sedimentary rocks that have been raised thousands of feet above sea level, then carved by erosion.

Thanks to this impressive nature, Colorado is known as a mecca for outdoor recreation, including horseback riding, of course.

One of the most iconic places where you can understand the origin of this state is Mesa Verde National Park, which was established to preserve archaeological sites built by the Ancestral Puebloans (the Anasazi) who inhabited Mesa Verde for more than 700 years. Currently Mesa Verde has over 4,700 archaeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings.

Just 56 km from Mesa Verde is the city of Durango. With stunning mountains, forests and plains all around, Durango will make you feel like a pioneer exploring the Old West.

In Colorado, you can also visit other 3 National Parks: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. You can also discover the amazing Native American ruins or the ghost towns, which were abandoned after the gold rush era.

Denver is Colorado's capital and largest city, and one of America's fastest-growing cities, full of top attractions to see and fun things to do.

Denver City was established near the gold discoveries in late 1858 and it still retains a good deal of its Old West legacy.

Some equestrian tourism outfitters in Colorado

Remember what they say here: after all horse riding in Colorado is just a way of life.

That's why we invite you to experience a Colorado horseback riding vacation and enjoy a comfortable stay in one of the many ranches that offer great hospitality and year-round horseback riding in the West.

Snowmass Creek Outfitters

Located in Snowmass, the owners of this ranch offer unique horseback riding adventures through Colorado impressive wilderness.

They offer the most affordable private horseback ride in the Aspen Snowmass Valley. They believe that the great outdoors are to be enjoyed with your friends and family, that is why you won’t be riding with other people. All their rides are private.

Activities in their horse riding holidays

Open to the public from May through October, they offer day rides, hiking, fishing, and hunting trips for families and groups of friends.

Here you can enjoy a private ranch ride in the Roaring Fork Valley with huge views of Sopris, Hell Roaring and Snowmass Mountain.

And don´t miss the evening ride to Snowmass Lake where you can camp for several hours in view of what they call the West Snowmass.

Lastly, its Horse Ride program for Children was created to adapt the experience of outdoor horse riding to the strengths of youngsters, and their rides cater to a well-rounded family vacation.

For more information, go to their website: www.snowmasscreekoutfitters.com.

Action Adventures Trail Rides

Located near the town of Ouray, in southwestern Colorado, Action Adventures Trail Rides offer guided horseback rides where you can explore poplar forests and mountains.

Action Adventures is a family owned and operated business. They breed, raise, and train most all of their horses in beautiful Ouray, which is known as the "Switzerland of America".

Their riding programs

They have three ranches for their equestrian tours:

• Ouray Ranch: In this ranch, they offer 4 rides for different levels of riding skill. Take in unforgettable views of the valley floor to the towering Whitehouse and Corbett Peaks, with historic mines, wildlife, water, and wildflowers in between.
• Gold Montain Ranch: Ranging in elevation from 7,800 ft. to over 10,500 ft., this ranch offers great views of the entire Ridgway valley floor and Grand Mesa in the distance, and the city of Ouray to the south. Their two horseback adventures are ages 8+.
• Baker Ranch: Halfway between Ouray and Telluride, this ranch offers several thousand acres of private land to ride and discover this cattle ranch.

For more information, go to their website: ride.actionadventures.net.

Badger Creek Ranch

Badger Creek Ranch is a family owned and operated working ranch high above the Arkansas Valley, in Central Colorado. They are devoted to serving the land by preserving its vitality and history in perpetuity. Badger Creek Ranch humbly honors the First Nation peoples.

That is why they continue to work on sourcing ingredients from their local farmers, in addition to raising and growing “ranch to table” food for their guests.

In this ranch, you are welcome to join the ranch activities. Whether you want to get your hands in the soil, take respite and recharge, or find inspiration for your own work, Badger Creek’s gate is open.

Here you will have the opportunity to be part of their team of cowboys with their day to day work of moving cattle or checking fence.

And if you want to experience this valley on horseback, but if you are new to riding, they provide lessons in the arena before open range riding. No previous experience is necessary, just a good physical condition is essential.

A sturdy but friendly horse will become your best friend as you cover miles of mesas and ride the open range.

Rides are guided by the owners of the ranch. Trust the wrangler designated as a guide, who will not leave your sides during the whole ride.

You can also visit some fantastic Native American ruins in the Ranch.

For more information, go to their website: www.badgercreekranch.com.

C Lazy U Ranch

This guest ranch is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, near Granby. It is pecialized in family vacations and offers activities for all ages.

Activities adapt to the seasons, taking advantage of what nature has to offer us high up in the mountains. Thus, in summer they run horseback rides, hiking and fishing tours, while in winter you can go skiing or snow tubing.

Their mission is to exceed their guest and member expectations by providing superior service, accommodations, dining, activities, and amenities while honoring and preserving the traditions of the great American West.

Horse riding in C Lacy U Ranch

At the C Lazy U resort, horseback riding is a daily activity, except on Sundays.

Their more than 160 km (100 miles) of trails and more than 3,400 hectares (8,500 acres) of untouched American West are available for you to enjoy in half-day or full-day rides.

To ensure everyone enjoys their horseback riding retreat, they have separate riding programs for adults and kids:

• Adult Horseback Riding Program: Their horseback riding vacations for adults allow them the chance to experience a taste of the cowboy (or cowgirl) spirit by partaking in cattle pushing.
• Kids Horseback Riding Program: This program is broken into four age groups, allowing children to enjoy riding with their peers.

In addition to daily trail rides, C Lazy U Ranch offers family rides. The Young Presidents’ Organization granted them the award for “Best Program for Parents and Children”.

For more information, go to their website: www.clazyu.com.

Colorado is one of the most stunning and diverse places in the United States, and the best way to see its wild beauty is from the back of a horse. An unforgettable experience in close contact with with nature, riding around the natural wonders of Colorado and the American Rockies.

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.