Canyon Trail Rides
Canyon Trail Rides
5
About
Come explore Zion National Park on the back of horse or mule. Experience riding through the Virgin River, looking up at the "Court of the Patriarchs", and climbing 700 ft on the Sandbench Trail. Canyon Trail Rides offers a 1 hour ride and a 1/2 day (3 hour) ride. The 1 hour ride is $40.00 per person and each person must be 7 years or older and under 220 lbs. The 1/2 day ride is $80.00 per person and each person must be 10 years or older and under 220 lbs.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
2,321 reviews
Excellent
2,078
Very good
185
Average
26
Poor
16
Terrible
19
Mary H
2 contributions
My husband and I first took this ride twenty years ago. Hank was our trail leader. I wrote a letter (back then, that was how you reviewed a business) raving about what an amazing job Hank did. He has a fantastic sense of humor and I was particularly impressed by how he took a younger girl under his wing. She had been riding alone, but Hank definitely saw to it that she was comfortable and safe.
Fast forward twenty years, my husband and I booked the last two spots available for our daughters (15 & 12 yrs) to ride in July,2021. We were a little concerned since they would be riding without us. Once we arrived that morning, we were absolutely thrilled to again meet up with Hank- who is still leading tours, 20 years later. Hank took our daughters under his wing, exactly as he had that young girl twenty years earlier. As he had back then, he displayed wonderful patience, humor and understanding. A deer appeared while the group was descending, and the guides all worked together to avoid what could have been a sticky situation (deer can spook the horses). This horseback ride was our daughters absolute favorite experience of our ten days in Utah.
Bryce is our favorite of the Mighty Five (National Parks) in Utah. This horseback ride is a great way to experience the unique beauty of a wonderful national treasure. Following the ride you can purchase (for a very reasonable rate) a picture of each participant on horseback. These pictures are now prominently displayed in our family room- pictures of my husband and I from twenty years ago recently joined by pictures of our two daughters from last month.
Thank you Hank, and all of you from Canyon Trail Rides- you have a special place in the hearts of our family!
Fast forward twenty years, my husband and I booked the last two spots available for our daughters (15 & 12 yrs) to ride in July,2021. We were a little concerned since they would be riding without us. Once we arrived that morning, we were absolutely thrilled to again meet up with Hank- who is still leading tours, 20 years later. Hank took our daughters under his wing, exactly as he had that young girl twenty years earlier. As he had back then, he displayed wonderful patience, humor and understanding. A deer appeared while the group was descending, and the guides all worked together to avoid what could have been a sticky situation (deer can spook the horses). This horseback ride was our daughters absolute favorite experience of our ten days in Utah.
Bryce is our favorite of the Mighty Five (National Parks) in Utah. This horseback ride is a great way to experience the unique beauty of a wonderful national treasure. Following the ride you can purchase (for a very reasonable rate) a picture of each participant on horseback. These pictures are now prominently displayed in our family room- pictures of my husband and I from twenty years ago recently joined by pictures of our two daughters from last month.
Thank you Hank, and all of you from Canyon Trail Rides- you have a special place in the hearts of our family!
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ron G
1 contribution
Family
Hands down best way to see Bryce Canyon! Our guide, Morgan, was very experienced & ensured our group of about 10 riders were comfortable & safe throughout our 1 1/2 hours in the saddle. Hydrate before you go; water bottles & backpacks are not allowed on the ride, & it can get warm. Awesome experience - if you only have the time or $$$ to do one excursion in the Bryce Canyon area, This. Is. It.
Written April 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Catherine M
Orlando, FL19 contributions
We took the 8 am 3-hour trail ride through Peekaboo Loop. In all honestly, we were "late" meaning we didn't show up the 30 minutes prior that is recommended. With that being said, the team accommodated us and let us use the restroom prior to getting on our horses. We were late, as I said, so we only had a minute or two on our horses before beginning. I was nervous, having only been on a horse three or four times previously. My horse, Sunny, was super sweet and very sure-footed, as was my husband's mule, Joe. The cowboys and girls were very knowledgeable and patient. I was lucky - they put me in line second behind our trail guide, so I got to hear a lot of commentary about the canyon. Our guide was Carter, and he was terrific! He made sure everyone was doing ok, and that our horses and mules did not get to spread out. His mule was not very cooperative in the beginning, and what could have been a situation that made riders nervous, he handled so skillfully making sure both his mule and the riders up front (me!) were safe.
If you have the time, you need to do this ride. The scenery is just stunning. The horses and mules are well cared for and very gentle. They do like to walk on the edge of the trails. I am a bit afraid of heights and was not worried once. Ok, once! But I closed my eyes and trusted Sunny and it was fine. I highly recommend this ride. It was so worth it! You will be so glad that you did!!!
If you have the time, you need to do this ride. The scenery is just stunning. The horses and mules are well cared for and very gentle. They do like to walk on the edge of the trails. I am a bit afraid of heights and was not worried once. Ok, once! But I closed my eyes and trusted Sunny and it was fine. I highly recommend this ride. It was so worth it! You will be so glad that you did!!!
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leah K
3 contributions
Family
This was an amazing experience! We were visiting the area to see the state parks and wanted to do horseback riding during our trip. We decided that it would be a great way to see the canyon and we were not disappointed!
The corral is located near the lodge in the park. We packed sandwiches to eat in the parking lot, checked in 45 min before our ride and did a brief intro safety review. We were then matched with horses and mules for our group. We had 5 riders including a mid teen. The wranglers help you get settled and once everyone is ready, off you go!
The cowboy wranglers were funny, attentive to riders as well as the animals. They are familiar with the animals and know their personalities. We had Kegan and he was fantastic…friendly, knowledgeable, enjoys his job and paid attention to the animals.
It is a CANYON ride, so many switchbacks, high elevation and uneven ground but these animals are very sure-footed and follow each other very well. Sit back and enjoy the views.
They do take a professional picture that you can purchase for $10, but you can also take your own photos.
We did a 3 hr trip and half way thru there is a water and bathroom break. The animals get water and a little break at this point also.
Honestly, one of the best ways to see the canyon and experience it in a different way!
The corral is located near the lodge in the park. We packed sandwiches to eat in the parking lot, checked in 45 min before our ride and did a brief intro safety review. We were then matched with horses and mules for our group. We had 5 riders including a mid teen. The wranglers help you get settled and once everyone is ready, off you go!
The cowboy wranglers were funny, attentive to riders as well as the animals. They are familiar with the animals and know their personalities. We had Kegan and he was fantastic…friendly, knowledgeable, enjoys his job and paid attention to the animals.
It is a CANYON ride, so many switchbacks, high elevation and uneven ground but these animals are very sure-footed and follow each other very well. Sit back and enjoy the views.
They do take a professional picture that you can purchase for $10, but you can also take your own photos.
We did a 3 hr trip and half way thru there is a water and bathroom break. The animals get water and a little break at this point also.
Honestly, one of the best ways to see the canyon and experience it in a different way!
Written May 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shelley C
Holtsville, NY47 contributions
Family
My husband, 15 year old daughter and son went on the 3 hour Peek-A-Boo trail ride and really loved it. It was the first time riding fir my kids and they rode behind our guide, Quincy, who kept them engaged and made them feel safe. We all enjoyed the ride, jokes and, of course, the scenery. It’s a great way to see the canyon, especially for those who may not have the stamina to hike down and up. Would definitely recommend this trip. But keep in mind 3 hours might be tough for some not used to riding. They also offer a shorter ride.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dayna H
Delaware, OH5 contributions
We booked this trip months ahead, and then ended up going to the wrong address and we were going to be late. It was a very gloomy, chilly, rainy morning but it was our only day at Bryce. They rescheduled us for the 9am ride which was just 1.5 hours instead of 3.5, and gave us a refund for the more expensive trip. Such great customer service!
The ride was amazing though not for the faint at heart. My mule was particularly fond of standing and walking on the very edge of the rim, it was terrifying at times, but I got really good views. I have ridden multiple times so I felt comfortable on the mule . Our guide Joe was informative, and there were plenty of stops for pictures. Even with the fog we got some really good views! Great way to see the canyon.
The ride was amazing though not for the faint at heart. My mule was particularly fond of standing and walking on the very edge of the rim, it was terrifying at times, but I got really good views. I have ridden multiple times so I felt comfortable on the mule . Our guide Joe was informative, and there were plenty of stops for pictures. Even with the fog we got some really good views! Great way to see the canyon.
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mary
4 contributions
Our guide Morgan, was patient, informative and kept us engaged as a group offering encouragement for those less experienced but also making the ride interesting for more experienced riders. We took the three hour Peek-a-Boo 8AM tour which definitely offered thrills across sometime narrow ledges and tight hairpin turns. Our guide was very respectful of nervous riders (yep, that was me) as well as taking responsibility to lead a young child throughout the entire ride. I was very impressed by his patience and diligence managing such a young rider as a well as diverse adult group. The views are spectacular. As others mentioned, the morning is ride preferable due to the heat. It is dusty but the entire canyon is dusty. This ride is not for the faint of heart or someone who isn't prepared to get hot, dusty, tired yet inspired by the natural beauty. Great opportunity to get up close to the beauty and drama of the canyon if you're not an experienced. We comparison shopped. The price was a bit lower than other outfits offering a similar ride but the quality and experience made this a great value
Written July 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ashlei
1 contribution
Family
A group of 8 arrived 10 minutes late to Bryce National Park corral due to issues with a rental car (we were supposed to arrive by 1:30 but arrived at 1:40 for a 2 pm ride). I called twice to alert staff of our tardiness and staff assured me it was okay. When we arrived, Henry came from the corral screaming “We’ve been waiting for you all day. We got to load and go.” I told him my daughter had to go to the bathroom and he initially said no. When I said that I didn’t want her to have an accident on the horse, Henry turned to my daughter and began to scream in her face “ Hurry the hell up” three times. My daughter is 7 years old. She began to cry.
I became infuriated and demanded my money back. Henry continued with the rudeness making comments like we were the ones late and we were holding up the entire ride. I then demand to speak to the owners since this is not how paying customers should be treated. He could have starting getting the other 6 people in my group on the horse while I ran my daughter to the bathroom or any other combination of customer service would have been great.
The owner did loosely apologize but she was also somewhat dismissive. She stated that Henry had a “cowboy demeanor”. When I told that on a vacation that my kids were looking forward to, this man made my daughter cry, her response was that everyone has “different sensibilities.”
I wasn’t going to write a review and just move on. But my daughter tells people to this day that she was “supposed to go horseback riding in Bryce National Park but the people there were very mean to us.” That is not the lasting memory I want my children to have. I flew my kids across the country to see these beautiful National parks, not be mistreated.
My advice is don’t arrive late because Henry thinks it’s okay to cuss at your kids if you do.
I became infuriated and demanded my money back. Henry continued with the rudeness making comments like we were the ones late and we were holding up the entire ride. I then demand to speak to the owners since this is not how paying customers should be treated. He could have starting getting the other 6 people in my group on the horse while I ran my daughter to the bathroom or any other combination of customer service would have been great.
The owner did loosely apologize but she was also somewhat dismissive. She stated that Henry had a “cowboy demeanor”. When I told that on a vacation that my kids were looking forward to, this man made my daughter cry, her response was that everyone has “different sensibilities.”
I wasn’t going to write a review and just move on. But my daughter tells people to this day that she was “supposed to go horseback riding in Bryce National Park but the people there were very mean to us.” That is not the lasting memory I want my children to have. I flew my kids across the country to see these beautiful National parks, not be mistreated.
My advice is don’t arrive late because Henry thinks it’s okay to cuss at your kids if you do.
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LauraA339
Michigan196 contributions
Family
This trail ride was a great experience to see the canyon. We arrived to a quick and easy checkin process and were on our way on time. The guides picked out horses or mules for us and got us saddled up in a group of about 20 riders but split into 2 groups each with our own guide. Autumn did a great job making sure we stayed together and giving us reassurance the horses and mules would do well down the steep canyon trail. The ride felt safe and scenery was awesome. We initially signed up to take the 3hr ride but we were reduced to 2hr due to floods that washed out some of the trail before we arrived. We got plenty of notice and they gave us a refund for the missing hour. I am actually glad we did the shorter ride of 2hrs as we felt it was just the right amount of time and a little sore afterwards. I am glad we were able to do this ride. Check it out!
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Janet H
8 contributions
This was a really wonderful experience! We did the 3 hour trip as a family of 5 and it was really spectacular. I felt like we got to experience so much more of the canyon this way and the perspective was fantastic. Our youngest was barely old enough to go and he was a little nervous at first. His horse wanted to lag behind a bit so Cash (our guide) took him up front with his horse which helped our youngest feel more confident. Cash was great - pointing out sights along the way and generally keeping us entertained. My husband, who only does these kinds of rides because i love them, said it was the best experience on horseback he's had. My horse Monte was super responsive and fun to ride. If you set foot on any of the trails in the Grand Canyon, these heights are totally fine. Highly recommend this fun and beautiful trip!
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anom92
44 contributions
Does anyone know about the health of the horses and mules? I avoid carriage rides due to them being over worked day in and day out. From what I see in the pictures these guys look to be in great shape. I don't want to make a reservation, get there, and be heart broken due to their treatment. Call me crazy but it's important to me.
Buck
Monsey, NY2 contributions
Hey I just went with my wife and they seem to be in pretty good shape. The wranglers seem to know the horses pretty well and they match up the horses based on each persons size and skill. I saw no signs of them being overworked.
Valentina
Brugherio, Italy7 contributions
Ciao a tutti, ho prenotato l'escursione a cavallo di 3 h, io ho dimestichezza con i cavalli ma mio marito non è mai salito
e ha paura, volevo sapere se disdire o se è possibile per chi non è mai salito.
Grazie mille
Valentina
Jengirl
5 contributions
I had never ridden a horse and was very nervous at first too but the guides are very helpful and put me at ease. My two boys, age 9 and 12, went on the tour and had never ridden before either and did GREAT!! It's a little intimidating at first...but after the first 10 minutes or so you will get comfortable with the horse and the trails. The horses go up and down the trails several times a day and are very steady. It ended up being the best thing we did on our trip.
Els K
3 contributions
Als wij reserveren met onze camper op de sunset Campground zijn we dan dicht bij het vertrekpunt van deze trail
Daniel C
Southampton, UK3 contributions
Couple of Brits coming over in July, would people recommend this for complete beginners when it comes to riding a horse?
Felicia J
Lake Villa, IL8 contributions
the Trail Boss will take care of you. There are as many mules as horses. He'll get you on the right animal. It's all about the views, scenery, vistas, so if you only have one shot at making this trip, go for the ride!
tomrZ5456IR
Kansas City, KS4 contributions
We will be there the third week of September. Would you recommend the morning or afternoon half-day ride? And how do we request burros?
Scot O
Chicago, IL18 contributions
The afternoon will be warmer. Remember your are at a higher altitude so the weather is cooler in the morning. I prefer to get to the park early drive all the way to last viewpoint and then work your way down finishing the day with the afternoon ride.
Lisa B
Lisle, IL1 contribution
How strict is the age limit for the longer ride? My youngest is very close to the cutoff (10) but not quite, but he is very mature and tall for his age. Will this be a major problem?
Susan B
Hendersonville, NC108 contributions
More important is how will he react if the mule starts to falter?
Can your son control a horse if the horse in front of him slips?
rjbum54
Charleston, WV
Where is the closest equestrian campground to park rig & go on the ride with our horses?
Corey M
Blue Bell, PA
I just booked my trip and it said not to bring a water bottle or a canteen. Is there another way that we are supposed to hydrate? Seems like a long time to go without water!
Surfdajane
14 contributions
i would just bring my own water anyway. it's not like some sort of strict rule they enforce, they just suggest not bringing your own. but i don't think there's anything stopping you from wearing a small knapsack or fanny pack with some bottled water in it. i would discuss it with them first.
Canyon Trail Rides (Bryce Canyon National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Canyon Trail Rides
- Hotels near Canyon Trail Rides:
- (0.99 mi) The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
- (4.53 mi) The Bullberry Inn
- (4.23 mi) Bryce Canyon Inn
- (2.71 mi) Stone Canyon Inn
- (1.01 mi) Sunset Campground
- Restaurants near Canyon Trail Rides:
- (1.00 mi) The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Restaurant
- (4.24 mi) Bryce Canyon Coffee Co.
- (2.85 mi) Stone Hearth Grille
- (4.25 mi) IDK Barbecue
- (4.24 mi) Rustler's Restaurant