Discover 11 Best Locations for Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides in the United States

1. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

In a valley between the Gros Ventre and Teton mountain ranges, the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, offers stunning scenic views in the winter. While warmer weather activities are popular, prepare for incredible skiing and other winter recreation when the snow arrives. Another adventure to check off your bucket list is one of the best horse-drawn sleigh rides in the United States at Elk National Refuge.

Sleigh rides have been a long-standing tradition at Elk National Refuge. Each trip lets you learn much about the refuge and the wildlife that lives in the area. Plus, visitors hope to get a close-up look at the large herds that live there. Rides start at the visitor center from December through early April, with rates being $38 per adult and $23 per child aged five to 12. Elk National Refuge offers private sleigh rides upon request.

2. Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky, Montana, is a small town in the middle of the iconic Rocky Mountains known for its skiing and wildlife. Located just 45 miles from Yellowstone National Park’s west entrance, Big Sky receives more than 400 inches of snow each year. Its majestic views provide the perfect spot for a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Several ranches in Big Sky offer sleigh rides throughout the winter season, including Elkhorn Ranch and Lone Mountain Ranch. Private rides at Elkhorn Ranch, which includes a 45-minute trip through the pines and a meal, run from the middle of December through the middle of February. At Lone Mountain Ranch, sleigh rides last from December through April, including a prime rib, family-style dinner.

3. Park City, Utah

A spot known mainly for its incredible skiing, Park City, Utah, offers much more by way of wintery fun and adventure. Located in the Wasatch Mountains, Park City is home to the Utah Olympic Park and the Utah Ice Castle. Horse-drawn sleigh rides depart regularly from the Utah Ice Castle in January and February. After exploring the caverns, hop on a sleigh ride that takes visitors on a nighttime tour of the surrounding trails. Sleigh rides are an additional charge on top of the Ice Castle admission.

4. Hillman, Michigan

Hillman is a quiet village in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The wooded landscape of this area turns into a winter wonderland with heavy snow. Elk viewing is the big draw of the sleigh rides Thunder Bay Resort offers. Their unique package includes a dinner and wine tasting, with an optional one or two-night stay at the resort. The elk herd lives on the resort’s maintained preserve. Rates vary for lodging packages, but a sleigh ride costs around $140 per person. Children must be nine years or older to participate.

5. Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Sitting on the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe looks amazing any season of the year. However, consider a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Sierra Nevada to see the lake for truly awe-inspiring scenes. One of the longest-running sleigh ride companies in the Lake Tahoe area, Borges Sleigh Rides, organizes excellent tours.

Since 1967, sleigh rides have transported visitors around the snowy woods surrounding Lake Tahoe. Each narrated tour begins at the Sand Harbor Visitors Center and can take two to 12 people, depending on the size of the group. Tours run from 10 am to 3 pm; all ages are welcome. Private tours can be available upon request to plan the perfect trip for your group.

6. Leavenworth, Washington

A warm, Bavarian-style town in the Pacific Northwest, Leavenworth, Washington, sits in the Cascade Mountains. During Christmastime and winter, Leavenworth is filled with many festive entertainments, including sleigh rides. Head to one of several locations in and around Leavenworth, including Eagle Creek Ranch and Leavenworth Sleigh Rides, for the best tour of the Washington wilderness.

Located eight miles from downtown Leavenworth, Eagle Creek Ranch schedules rides daily from the end of November until early March. Sleigh rides depend on snow, with the alternative being a cheerful wagon ride. Leavenworth Sleigh Rides operates sleighs that can carry between six and 16 passengers. Located 14 miles from Leavenworth, the trip takes visitors through meadows and forests to enjoy hot cider at the visitor barn.

7. Breckenridge and Frisco, Colorado

Located just 10 miles apart, Breckenridge and Frisco both sit in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Colorado is renowned for incredible skiing and other winter sports, but sleigh rides offer a relaxing way to experience the snow. Multiple sleigh ride companies operate tours in the area. For a ride that includes a special dinner, try Two Below Zero or Breck Stables. Two Below Zero, Breck Stables, and Golden Horseshoe Tours offer scenic rides through the mountains in Breckenridge and Frisco. Various tours run from November into April. Most of these options require reservations, so make sure to plan ahead.

8. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Do not forget the charming landscapes of New England, especially New Hampshire, for sleigh rides in the winter. Bretton Woods is popular with skiers thanks to its storybook winters with plenty of snow. Bretton Woods is also one of the best locations for horse-drawn sleigh rides with its scenic forest landscape. Come out to the Omni Mount Washington Resort for a picturesque ride through the tranquil mountain landscape. Weather permitting, sleigh rides can be scheduled from mid-December through mid-April. Their one-horse open sleigh rides make a romantic option for a couple.

9. East Haddam, Connecticut

Experience rural Connecticut from the comfort of a horse-drawn sleigh. In East Haddam, Connecticut, the small-town charm is maintained thanks to friendly people. Sleigh rides in the winter and carriage rides in warmer months are some of the most popular attractions in this community. Allegra Farm, located on Lake Hayward, invites people back into a different time at their authentic livery stable. With vintage carriages and sleighs, this farm provides enchanting rides through the countryside of Connecticut.

10. Sturtevant, Wisconsin

The village of Sturtevant, located in Racine County near the Wisconsin-Illinois border, is a little less than 30 miles from Milwaukee. It provides a great location to travel from Illinois for a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride. One of the best tours in Sturtevant takes place at Apple Holler, a family farm home to Haflinger horses. Private tours cost $135 for four passengers, and reservations are required. The sleigh ride winds through old hardwood trees and the family orchard. At the end, guests are treated to hot cider, hot chocolate, and s’mores.

11. Lake Placid, New York

Old pines tower over open areas of the Adirondack Mountains, which rise above Lake Placid. Located at the base of Whiteface Mountain, it sits near Mirror Lake and its namesake Lake Placid. Horse-drawn sleigh rides provide a break from skiing, ice skating, dog sledding, and bobsleighing. Country Dreams Farm and Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat offer premium sleigh ride tours.

At Country Dreams Farm, you get a scenic tour of a historic farm and views of the nearby mountains. Rates are $40 for adults and $15 for children aged four to 10. Blankets and hot cocoa are included in the price. Another exciting sleigh trip, starting at Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat, lights the way with lantern-lit trails through the woods. Rates are $42 for adults, $25 for children aged four to nine, and $10 for children three and younger. You could also add a 1920s speakeasy dinner to your trip, which commemorates the history of the Lake Clear Lodge.