Yellowstone Horseback Riding: How to Do it and the Best Trails

Whether you have your own horse or are interested in renting one during your time in the park, there’s a lot of information you should know about Yellowstone horseback riding. How can you best go about achieving this goal, and what might some of the best trails be for riding your horse throughout this unique ecosystem? 

In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about horseback riding in Yellowstone National Park. We will go over how to rent a horse so that you can ride one during your time in Yellowstone, as well as some information should you choose to bring your own horse into the park. No matter how you go about it, Yellowstone horseback riding is a unique and fantastic opportunity! Let’s talk about how to do it now. 

Yellowstone Horseback Riding: An Overview

If hiking isn’t quite what you have in mind when you think about visiting Yellowstone National Park, you may be interested in seeing the beauty of this region on horseback. Not only is this a fantastic perspective to view Yellowstone in, but it also gives you a unique opportunity and experience to share with those you choose to travel with and the horse that you end up riding! 

There are a number of different ways that you can go about horseback riding in Yellowstone National Park. You are more than welcome to bring your own horse with you into the park, as there are horse camping opportunities, and day or overnight permits are readily available. Remember to bring records of a recent Coggins Test should you want to bring your own horse.

But what if you haven’t brought your own horse with you to Yellowstone National Park? You’re not out of luck! Here’s how to go horseback riding through a number of private rental opportunities and vendors. 

How to Go Horseback Riding in Yellowstone National Park

You can book a horseback riding adventure in Yellowstone using a number of ways and methods. The easiest way to go about accomplishing this is through booking horseback riding opportunities through a number of vendors and excursion programs, all approved by Yellowstone National Park. It is not recommended to book a horseback riding excursion through any vendor that hasn’t already been approved by the park itself. 

The good news is that, should you choose one of the approved vendors, these vendors handle everything for you. You won’t have to worry about finding a horse, getting permits, or knowing where to go. These vendors are highly recommended for those of you learning to ride horses for the first time, or perhaps want a guided adventure.

Depending on who you choose, you can go horseback riding in Yellowstone for as long as you wish. Some outfitters offer brief 2-hour long rides in select areas of the park, such as the Tower area. Other outfitters even offer tourists the opportunity to ride their horse for multiple days, as part of a backcountry overnight excursion. It all depends on how adventurous you are and the experience that you’re looking to have! 

The Best Trails for Horseback Riding in Yellowstone

Whether you have brought your own horse or have rented one for a few hours during your time in Yellowstone National Park, what might some of the best trails for horseback riding be within the park? Here’s a list of some of the best trails for horseback riding found in Yellowstone!:

• Bechler Falls. While this trail gets more difficult as you go, the Bechler Falls trail is ideal for those of you hoping to spot some fantastic waterfalls while on horseback!
• Lamar Valley Trail. An iconic Yellowstone location, enjoy sweeping valleys and lush grassland on this easy trail. You may even spot some wildlife while traversing this terrain.
• Lost Lake Loop Trail. Ideal for kids or beginning horseback riders, this loop travels around Lost Lake, but only after you pass through beautiful and pristine forest.
• Elephant Back Mountain Trail. Short and sweet, Elephant Back gives you beautiful views of lakes, forest, mountains, and more.

Tips and Tricks for Horseback Riding in Yellowstone

There are a number of things to keep in mind should you choose to ride a horse in Yellowstone National Park. Whether or not you are experienced in horseback riding, keep these tips and tricks in mind should you choose to hit the trails on horseback: 

• Make sure you get the right permit for the amount of horseback riding it you choose to do. There are day passes as well as overnight passes, and there are even backcountry overnight permits, should you choose to venture a bit farther afield than the average Yellowstone visitor! 
• Learn how to properly communicate with people on trails while you are on horseback. There are a number of tips and tricks available on the internet for how to best do this, but communication is key! The average hiker doesn’t know what to do should there be a horse on the trail, so keep this in mind and remain in control of your horse at all times. 
• Know how to properly restrain your horse at camp, and make sure that you are camping at a designated horse camp location. Not all of Yellowstone’s campgrounds allow horses, so keep this in mind and plan ahead! 
• Remember that Yellowstone National Park is located in bear country. All gear and evidence of your time in Yellowstone should be properly disposed of or cleaned up before you depart, and always be bear aware while you travel trails, whether it be on horseback or otherwise!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yantar/Shutterstock.com