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
4.1
(103 Ratings)
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Reilee_j
Oct 9, 2024
Amazing! - Everyone was so kind and friendly! The guides were able to tell us about the land as we ride through as well!
Review provided by Viator
Quest48991229788
Oct 8, 2024
Odin and Kiwi, awesome horses!! - We signed up for the 3 hour ride which included the cookout. This was not part of the options above. Now, the signup was easy and check in was smooth. The people were very friendly and easy to talk to. We checked and waited for everyone to check in. Once that was completed, the cowboys/cowgirls assigned us horses, i presume based on weight. They matched us up well, made friend with the horse and saddled up. The ride up to the cookout took an hour and was an easy ride. The horses were very well trained and felt they were on autopilot but did have some riding actions we had to do. Other than that, it was smooth and easy. The cookout was in a great location with everything, most importantly, the steak was cooked perfectly and delicious. The sides were good but the beans were incredible. I would definitely recommend the cookout. The cookout was about an hour and we prepared to saddle up and head back down. On the ride back, we took a separate trail and the trail rider lead was very informative and good at providing histories and stories. Overall, the ride was fun, the food good and the cowboys/cowgirls there were great. I recommend taking the 3 hour ride and the cookout is worth it. My horse Odin was the best and took good care of me. Kiwi, my wife's horse was a snacker and was fun to watch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philipcg4109zp
Sep 26, 2024
Absolutely Amazing - What an amazing experience. We went on the evening 3 hour cook out ride. Staff were very frendliy, helpful, professional and knowledgeable. The horses were really good and very quietly natured. The food was excellent. The hole experience was excellent. I cannot rate these guys at Banff trail rides high enough, I would recommend to anyone, if we had the time I would be booking another ride, but unfortunately we are on the move tomorrow to a new destination.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jgriffioen
Sep 21, 2024
Great Experience! Recommend the 2 hour - A lovely experience just outside of Banff with professional and friendly staff. Holly and Alyssa were wonderful, we had a great ride. The 2 hours was perfect, highly recommend - varied landscape including some elevation gain. Would do again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amanda_j
Sep 16, 2024
Fantastic ride! - What a great way to spend my birthday! Guides were amazing - friendly and knowledgeable. A great way to see the views of the area where the cars cant go!
Review provided by Viator
James_c
Sep 29, 2024
BANFF Man! - The trip was great. We enjoyed the time we got riding around the mountains and the views were amazing. Our guides were very well educated. It would’ve been a five but I have to go with a four only because we’ve done so many of these rides and we NEVER get to cantor, trot, etc…if nothing else give me a quick trot through a meadow or at the ranch itself and the experience would have been great!
Review provided by Viator
Laura_y
Aug 28, 2024
Mediocre experience - The young lady giving riding directions was a sourpuss-she acted like she hated her job and the guests. Maybe she’s been dealing with tourists for too long, but hey, it’s her job, and it tinged the whole experience. Some advice: smile once in a while and fake it, you’re in the hospitality industry. Our two ride guides were more personable, but we were too far back in line to hear any of the lead guide’s commentary for most of the ride. The horses were beautiful, well trained animals.
Review provided by Viator
K0kfait
Sep 16, 2024
2 hours of straining your ears. - Expected interesting commentary from the guides, but they could not be heard, even though we were only 5th or 6th in the line of riders, as we had to be in a single file. The guides had to their bodies around to address us, and to shout out loud. Still they could not be heard, which made the 2-hr ride quite meaningless.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Discover06228788214
Sep 7, 2024
Three hour Bow Valley loop ride - Like other reviews have stated - the staff was pretty dry. The one giving instructions barked "Do you mind!" when we were having a brief conversation outside the pen and she was talking. The same girl suddenly demanded we "spread out" and then kept repeating it in a huffy manner with all of us confused. She could have gave clear directions and told her customers where to stand as the horses were brought out. Our tour guide was ok but she gave little input over the three hour tour. She spent most of the time talking with a rider behind her and when she did talk, few of us could hear anything she was saying. I ended up with a horse that didn't want to "work" that day. He trailed about 20 feet behind the other riders so I felt like I was on my own for three hours. Thanks to my daughter that kept reminding the guide that we were far back and to wait for us. The guide seemed completely oblivious to the problem except to blame me for not kicking or guiding the horse properly (I damaged my knee by kicking and kicking to make him move instead of eating). I just really felt bad for the horse that didn't seem to want to be there. Another problem is that you can't bring anything with you. We were out on a hot sunny day for three hours with no water - but our guide would pause and guzzle water in front of all us whenever she wanted! I would not do another long ride. One hour would have been fine. The ride was mostly through a heavily forested area with nothing special to see. We did spend time along the Bow river and riding up hills which was a bit more interesting but not what we expected based on the description. The horses have to tromp though mostly mud and rocks. We had one horse actually fall over. I don't know anything about horses but it didn't seem right to me. I think this place would really benefit with training the workers in providing a hospitality service for all their riders, not just technical guiding.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andyej2380xo
Aug 26, 2024
Terrible company - We recently booked an event with Banff TrailRiders and it turned out to be a very negative and traumatizing event. I am extremely disappointed and unhappy with the lack of service, dismissive and rude attitude and overall lack of consideration by their staff during our recent experience at the Banff facility. We were originally booked into the Jasper stables...but had to scramble for a last minute change due to the fires. I booked their 2 hour Sundance Loop for Monday August 12. My 17 year old nephew was visiting from Ontario for the first time ever. We arrived on time to a fairly wet rainy day..but we were dressed for the day. As we walked up it was obvious that something was amiss as a family was leaving saying that they were told "it was too wet for them to ride". They did not have a booking...so we thought we would be ok. We checked in with plenty of time and our experience quickly went bad. My nephew was the first to step on their "scale". He is a 17 year old Gr. 12 athlete...plays basketball and some volleyball. He just had his physical to return to school and weighs 183 lbs. Their staff declared that he was 232 lbs and that he would not be allowed do ride today. I am 66 years old...and not a high school athlete so I didn't even bother to step on their "scale". I questioned the accuracy of the scale and was rudely dismissed with a 'our scale is accurate" response. I then requested a refund and was told that as we were cancelling less than 24 hours ahead of time..we would not get a refund. They were very quick to offer us the steak cookout for the evening. Having no other options available we reluctantly agreed. We returned at the appropriate time where we quickly saw a large group of people getting ready to ride for the cookout...many of whom were much heavier than me...and none of which were being weighed. I went in and questioned as to whether or not my nephew at least could ride for the cookout. I was yelled at...yes..yelled at. A staff member carrying a clip board declared that my nephew was in fact 238.5 lbs and that we had "MADE OUR DECISION". My nephew was so offended and upset that we simply left the property. It took me several hours to put him back together. I am seeking a full refund and an explanation from this business.
Review provided by Tripadvisor