Banff Horseback Riding: A 2-Hour Adventure in Canada's Oldest National Park

Experience the beauty of Banff National Park on a 2-hour horseback riding adventure. Saddle up and explore the trails with a cowboy guide, reliving the pioneer days in Canada’s oldest national park.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Banff Trail Riders - Stables - You’ll explore stunning sections of wilderness on this two-hour trip, providing a chance to spot wildlife that you might not get to see while on foot. Plus, our friendly, experienced guides will teach you a few cowboy tricks along the way.
    Pass by natural sulphur hot springs as you make your way to one of Banff’s…
What's Included
  • Basic horseback riding instruction
  • Use of horse
  • Helmet (mandatory)
  • Lead and tail guides
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drink
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Banff National Park is Canada’s first and most cherished national park - an experience best relished by stepping out of your vehicle and embarking on a hike. Travel to a bygone era with a two-hour equine journey and take in the park’s serene landscape. Accompanied by your cowhand guide, mount a horse and gain an understanding of the early settler’s…

Location
Banff Trail Riders - Stables
Sundance Road
Find us at the end of Sundance Road in Banff. Check-in at the east barn, marked ' Banff Trail Riders Stables' & 'office.' 5 min drive or 20 min walk from downtown with free parking. **ALL GUESTS MUST CHECK IN 30 MIN PRIOR TO THEIR RIDE START TIME. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ACCOMMODATED**
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(134 Ratings)
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Stacey_s
Aug 25, 2025
Exploring on horses is a must! - This was a great activity for everyone in our group - kids and adults. The guides were great and knowledgeable, the horses were well trained, and the scenery was spectacular! I would definitely recommend for anyone looking to get out into nature a bit more while in Banff.
Review provided by Viator
749ellisp
Aug 23, 2025
Awesome - 5/5 Excellent experience, did not need any prior riding experience, horses were very well mannered and the staff were extremely helpful and fun
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cosmopolitan707567
Aug 18, 2025
Fun, scenic trail ride in Banff - Super fun ride! For the first half you ride along the Bow River and then go through a trail in the woods. The staff was so professional and made the ride very entertaining. The barn is walkable from downtown and is very convenient to access. I’d say it’s worth the price and I would recommend/ visit again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Climber63248148255
Aug 15, 2025
Lovely Bow valley loop ride - We did a 3 hour Bow valley loop. The ride was fantastic - flat by the river, then few ups and downs and the horses did really well on the hikes. You don't actually need a riding boot and they are happy with any form of walking shoes. They can cater for all type of riders
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F6720yxchrisn
Jul 29, 2025
Great time riding - Great horse riding, excellent guides and well looked after horses. Trekking through beautiful forest along the river and up around a hill. 2 hours was well long enough in the saddle and could barely walk afterwards but was worth it for the experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lori_m
Jul 28, 2025
Don’t Pass On This - Definitely recommend everyone take advantage of this adventure. It’s a great way to see the mountains and the Bow River. The tour guides and crew at the stables are knowledgeable, friendly, and experienced. Fine for non-experienced riders.
Review provided by Viator
Joan_m
Aug 7, 2025
Trail ride - VERY muddy trails which horses did not like. Trail guides were very nice but you could not hear lead guide. Scenery lovely. Horses were sweet and appeared healthy but had not seen a good grooming in what seemed to be a long time which matters as a horse owner. Good experience overall and would recommend especially for beginners.
Review provided by Viator
Edith
Jul 31, 2025
Great trail ride, but unfortunately pretty muddy - Banff Trail Rides is a huge horse farm outside the city of Banff. There is a huge parking lot, also easely accessible with RV'S. Banff Trail Rides is one of the biggest horse ranches of Canada. They have 250 horses and 50 more animals on the farm (mules,....) We did a nice 2 hours ride along Bow River in a group of 12 people (+ 2 tourguides). It is a ride suitable also for beginners, so don't expect trotting or galopping, the horses are just walking. Our guide Abby (riding in the front) explained a lot abount the region, the river, wildlife and Sulphur Mountain. Unfortunately, almost the entire trail was very muddy and so it was rather loud when the horses stamped through it. One could barely hear anything if not riding directly behind the guide. I recommend a headset for guide a guest riders, so the guide wouldn't need to yell along the ride and guests could benefit much more from the tour. About the horses... Horses were well nourished and very well behaved. The only thing I didn't like was seeing ä the horses stand in paddocks with deep mud about 7 inch / 18 cm deep). Standiging in deep mud for hours and then riding through deep mud could cause serious infections for horse's fetlock like malanders (grapes). Horse barns usually use rubber drainage mats on their paddocks to keep the horses dry and clean, and I would recommend using these to avoid infections and/or sicknesses. All in all it was a great experience and I hope the paddocks will be maintained better in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vafamily33
Aug 2, 2025
Good - Guides were great, horses were well trained. Mostly wooded walk, with relatively limited views given the majesty of the surroundings. Kids loved it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fj40_guy
Aug 18, 2025
Bad to worse - It was not up to par compared to other horseback rides we have been on. Old worn out trail only horses, old worn out uncomfortable saddles, with stirrups that were twisted so that your legs hurt after a 2 hour ride. Waste $$
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $148
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).