HORSEBACK RIDING

Experience the Gunnison Valley on a guided, scenic horseback ride. Horse guide services offer one-hour to full-day guided rides. Guides will work with you and your group to find horses that suit everyone’s age and ability level. Guides also handle trail navigation and share local stories, wildlife insights, and the history of the landscape. You’ll ride trails chosen for the best views, conditions, and seasonal highlights, all while learning riding tips. Plus, guided rides often include amenities like gear, transportation, and picnic stops. You can focus on soaking up the scenery and making memories.

Pack trips are multi-day trips where horses or mules transport gear, equipment, and people into the backcountry. Horses and mules provide more carrying capacity than bikes or people. They are also usually allowed in wilderness areas where mechanized and off-road vehicles are not.

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a first-time adventurer, local outfitters offer guided multi-day trips that blend rugged adventure with comfort. Pack mules usually carry your gear while you ride light, journeying into wilderness areas. Going with a guide for a pack trip has many benefits. Guides provide gear, do the navigating, and handle logistics such as food and camp setup. 

Many hunters choose to use horseback as their primary means of accessing remote hunting terrain in the fall. By going with a hunting guide, you can set up a drop camp and hunt different areas from horseback. When you shoot a 700 lb. bull elk 11 miles from the nearest road, you’ll be happy you brought a horse with you to help pack it out.

The Almont Triangle is located near Almont, Colorado. Almont is ten miles north of Gunnison and 18 miles south of Crested Butte on Highway 135. Trails in this area meander along riverbanks, through aspen groves and across open meadows framed by towering peaks. 

Horseback riding at Hartman Rocks is a true high-desert adventure. Riders traverse winding trails through granite outcroppings, sagebrush mesas and panoramic vistas of the Gunnison Valley. Hartman Rocks is only about a 15 minute drive from downtown Gunnison on Highway 50 west.

Curecanti National Recreation Area boasts over 40,000 acres of diverse terrain. Mesas, canyons and shorelines along Blue Mesa Reservoir provide panoramic views, quiet trails, and intimate wildlife encounters.

Nestled just north of Gunnison, the Ohio Creek Valley is one of the most picturesque and tranquil places to saddle up and ride in Colorado. The dramatic Anthracite Range and rolling ranchlands frame the valley. Riders follow old ranch roads, game trails, and forest access routes. Weave through aspen groves, open meadows and along the meandering Ohio Creek for a stunning ride.

Taylor Park is a horseback rider’s dream. This expansive alpine basin is ringed by some of the most iconic peaks in the Gunnison Valley, including Mt. Princeton, Flat Top Mountain and the towering Sawatch Range. Vast meadows, pine forests, and high-country lakes offer variety and stunning views. Riders can explore everything from gentle lakeside paths near Taylor Reservoir to more rugged, high-altitude trails that ascend toward Italian Creek, Doctor Park, and the Continental Divide Trail.

Tucked just southeast of Crested Butte, the Brush Creek area offers one of the most serene and scenic horseback riding experiences in the Gunnison Valley. This expansive alpine valley unfolds with lush meadows, winding creeks and wildflower-covered hillsides. Horseback riders can follow gentle, winding trails that trace along East Brush Creek. Enjoy views of Teocalli Mountain while accessing routes like Strawberry Trai and Teocalli Ridge.

Horseback riding through the East River Valley offers a peaceful and scenic escape just minutes from downtown Crested Butte. With sweeping views of the Slate River Range, meandering meadows, and the shimmering East River, this valley is ideal for a relaxing ride immersed in alpine beauty. Riders can enjoy gentle trails through wildflower-filled fields and spot wildlife.

Journey through one of Colorado’s largest aspen groves on horseback with a ride on Kebler Pass. Riders wind through golden forests in fall or vibrant wildflower meadows in summer, with stunning views of Ruby Peak, Mount Owen, and the West Elk Mountains. The mix of alpine terrain, open meadows, and shaded singletrack trails makes Kebler ideal for peaceful day rides and adventurous outings.

Horseback riding on Snodgrass Mountain offers breathtaking views and gentle terrain perfect for a scenic mountain adventure. Just across from Crested Butte Mountain, the trail winds through rolling alpine meadows and aspen groves that explode with color in the fall. With sweeping vistas of the Elk Mountains, it’s a favorite for both beginner and seasoned riders just minutes from town.

Looking for trails without mountain bikes and off-road vehicles? Wilderness areas do not allow any mechanized or motorized travel. Horses are allowed on most trails, but some are designated only for hiking. There are a few campgrounds that can accommodate horse camping. Horses are only allowed in these campgrounds.

Wilderness areas in Gunnison National Forest:

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
Raggeds Wilderness
West Elk Wilderness
Fossil Ridge Wilderness
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness  

Horses are permitted on the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Deadhorse Trail is a 5-mile easy to moderate trail. The North Rim of the Black Canyon provides wild and rugged views. This dramatic steep and narrow canyon is made up of Precambrian gneiss and schist. The North Rim receives less visitors than the South Rim. Enjoy a quieter experience with your horse. 

Horse use regulations to keep in mind at the Black Canyon:

• All hay used for feeding your hose must be certified weed free in compliance with Montrose or Gunnison County Standards.
• Grazing is prohibited.
• There are no hitching posts along the trail or at the trailhead. 
• Picketing, hobbling or tying livestock to natural features is prohibited. 
• Horses must be trailered at the trailhead.

Fred Field Center and Lost Miner Ranch in Gunnison offer horse boarding for visitors. Stalls can be rented by the night at Lost Miner Ranch. Arena boarding is available at Fred Field Center. Call 970-641-7624 to make arrangements. 

Q: Can you buy hay in Gunnison and Crested Butte?
A: Yes. Fulmer’s Ace Hardware and Tractor Supply in Gunnison sell hay. 

Q: Do trailheads have parking for horse trailers?
A: Many trailheads have enough space to park trailers. For specific trails, call the public land office that manages it or search online.

Q: When is the best time to go horseback riding in the Gunnison Valley?
A: Summer (June–August) and early fall (September–mid October) are ideal. Trails are dry, wildflowers bloom and the aspens glow with fall color. Many outfitters operate seasonally, so call ahead to book rides.

Q: Are there guided horseback riding tours available?
A: Yes! Several local outfitters offer guided trail rides for all skill levels. You’ll find half-day, full-day, and custom rides available in areas like Crested Butte, Almont, Taylor Canyon, and Blue Mesa.

Q: Can I bring my own horse to ride in the area?
A: Yes, several trails are open to equestrian use, and some campgrounds and ranches offer horse accommodations. Always check trail conditions, parking access, and required permits with the US Forest Service or BLM before riding.

Q: Do I need riding experience to join a tour?
A: Not at all. Most tours are beginner-friendly, with experienced wranglers providing instructions, helmets and calm horses. Riders of all ages can typically be accommodated.

Q: What should I wear for horseback riding?
A: Wear closed-toe shoes or boots with a small heel, long pants, and layers appropriate for the season. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also recommended, especially at high altitude.

Q: Can kids go horseback riding?
A: Yes, many outfitters offer pony rides for younger children and trail rides for ages 6 or 7 and up. Be sure to ask about age or weight requirements when booking.

• Make sure all equipment is secure before beginning to ride.
• Communicate what side you will pass on if you’re planning to pass another rider.
• Hikers and bikers should yield to horses. If a hiker or biker seems unsure of what to do, communicate clearly with them.
• Be sure you can manage your animal before taking them out on a multi-use trail.
• Know how to monitor your horse’s vital signs.
• Respect all trail closures and regulations. Contact the local land manager if you’re unsure of the rules.