KOLI Equestrian Center
KOLI Equestrian Center
5
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
KOLI Equestrian Center, located in the heart of the Gila River Indian Reservation and just minutes away from Downtown Phoenix, offers miles of breathtaking scenery and horseback riding trails that you and your family is sure to enjoy while visiting the Phoenix area. With wide open views and landscape, you just might be able to see the wild horses on a private horseback trail ride at Wild Horse Pass. Out here at KOLI Equestrian Center there is never any “head to tail” single line horseback riding. Everyone is spread out and can get to know each other along the way. Friendly, qualified wranglers will advise you of the surroundings and what you need to know about our well trained horses during your horseback riding adventure. If you are looking for relaxation and fun in the Phoenix area, KOLI Equestrian Center is the place to be. Book your horseback trail ride today where our knowledgeable wranglers and gentle horses are waiting for you… To avoid the Phoenix heat, we leave earlier in the day so you can enjoy your horseback trail ride. Whether it is Summer or Winter, within a 24 hour notice we can provide Private Horseback Trail Riding at any time. We recommend advance reservations to ensure your horseback ride time during your stay in Chandler or the Phoenix area. Contact us for the latest pricing. Please check in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled horseback riding time for our group to depart promptly.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Relax151580846735 contributionsExcellent instruction from an excellent wrangler Sylvia!A much needed refresher in horseback riding was provided by one of their excellent wranglers, Sylvia! I not only got some 'hands on' practice, grooming, saddling, mounting and general horse handling. And the lesson finished with a nice ride on the reservation!Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten October 2, 2023
- April M2 contributionsGreat ride through the desert!Absolutely great experience! Our wrangler was very knowledgeable and personable. We were able to ride side by side in a group so we could talk and all hear. We saw a lot of wild life, no wild horses on this trip, but maybe next time! We'll definitely be back to ride again whenever we're in the Phoenix area!Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 7, 2023
- helen k1 contributionGreat place for a horse rideThe guide answered all of my questions and made me feel welcome even though I took the ride by myself. The ride was just long enough, about 90 minutes. I was given a very well-behaved horse that I was able to control even though I was not a seasoned rider. Would recommend this place to anyone that would like to have a horse-riding experience.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten October 16, 2023
- LocalTravelerAZPhoenix, Arizona290 contributionsGreat Arizona Desert Experience!I live five miles away from the stables. I took my 8 and 9 year old grandkids for an hour ride with Robert. He made it fun for all three of us. His silly stories and genuine concern for the kids made it great for me. It’s just a walk in the desert. Nothing really great or unusual so you can just enjoy the horses And the wrangler. Lots of unfortunate rules in place to keep people safe I’m sure. Like not feeding or petting the horses in the corrals. 😞We will be back for sure.Visited November 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 13, 2023
- Tricia S2 contributionsDesert DelightTristan, my wrangler, took me on an amazing ride. He worked his magic to call in the herd of wild mustangs, a coyote, a jack rabbit, a burrowing owl, and more as part of our adventure. My horse, Pony Boy was great. I'm so grateful to have connected with Tristan, the land, and the desert. I highly recommend this experience.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten November 15, 2023
- alihawkSomerset, New Jersey8 contributionsGreat rideKoli Equestrian center and there staff were awesome. A great ride with out 2 guides Ben and Tristan. Very knowledgeable about the reservation and the horses. Ben had great stories and learned a lot about the reservation and culture. The ride was easy and gentle and we were able to ride side by side and not nose to tail which was excellent. Thank you all for your professionalism and sharing your reservation with us.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 19, 2023
- Caroline KBrentwood, United Kingdom23 contributionsGreat way to spend a few hoursWe had a great (1 hr 30 min) early morning ride around the area. The horses were well looked after, very calm and easy to ride, for a beginner rider like my husband. Our guided was very welcoming and friendly to us. Throughout the ride she talked about the wildlife, the local area, the horses and how the tribal land was managed. It was very interesting. The only down side that I could see was that although we were in open country we were not completely in the wilderness. There were isolated buildings and powerlines about, but the view towards the mountains was amazing. All in all it was a great few hours spent on our holiday and I would do it again.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 1, 2023
- Carol M1 contributionLoved it! Best riding experience I’ve had!By far the best riding adventure I’ve had. We booked a private 60 minute ride and our guide was Ray. He was FABULOUS! We walked into the open land and saw lots of wildlife including getting up close to the wild horses out there. I feel it was a once in a lifetime experience for me. The horses aren’t always where people ride so we got lucky but it was Ray’s knowledge and expertise that brought us to the right spot. We didn’t have to stay in one straight line like every place else I’ve been too. I will return. Highly recommend. ❤️Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 2, 2024
- Bev B3 contributionsEnjoy the solitude of a ride in the desertPeaceful and relaxing afternoon spent riding in the desert. Abundant wildlife, such as wild horses, hawks, jack, rabbits, and even a burrowing owl. Our guide Kiki was friendly gracious, and so informative. The horses are well cared for and the entire facility is pristine.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 3, 2024
- dmdesiBurlington, Massachusetts12 contributionsAmazing experience!What a way to check something off my bucket list! I went on a private 90 minute ride with Sylvia as my wrangler. She was amazing! She made sure we saw wild horses (soo many of them). It was so cool to sit and watch them in their environment. It was my first time on a horse, and she put me at ease right away. She was very knowledgeable and friendly and I enjoyed my time getting to know her. I would 100% recommend this experience!Visited January 2024Traveled soloWritten January 24, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
655 reviews
Excellent
605
Very good
37
Average
7
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Jazmin Nelson
10 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
This was an excellent experience! Chuck was very personable and easy going! He satisfied all the needs of my family. He did cool tricks with his horse for my 20 year old so she could post it on her social media, he educated my children and I on the history of our native ancestors who lived on these very lands before us, he was very attentive to my 6 year old who was a first time rider, and he was funny!. The horses were amazing and catering as well. I can't wait to visit again!
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate the review about your experience. I'm happy to hear I provided excellent customer service and you took a little Native American history away with you. It's great to the get the younger generations involved in horseback riding. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written July 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Heather T
2 contributions
Mar 2023
Koli and the team truly exceeded my expectations for a guided horseback ride. We opted for a private ride as I was concerned about being in a group with inexperienced riders and how that would affect our afternoon. It was definitely worth it and I would 100% recommend to other experienced riders out there.
Our guide, the views and our horses were equally amazing. Being able to spread out and not be nose to tail (like some other places) was one of my favorite parts about Koli and I will absolutely be back to ride again the next time I am in the area...hopefully next year :)
Much appreciated from this horse lover in NC!!
Our guide, the views and our horses were equally amazing. Being able to spread out and not be nose to tail (like some other places) was one of my favorite parts about Koli and I will absolutely be back to ride again the next time I am in the area...hopefully next year :)
Much appreciated from this horse lover in NC!!
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An East Coast ride to the desert SW. A fish out of water but glad to hear it was a memorable time for your group. We are set up for several different types of riders and appreciate you choosing KOLI Equestrian Center to ride at. It's great to know that we exceeded your expectations in our horseback ride. We will look to the east for your visit again. Take care.
Written March 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
garfias15
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • Family
I took my parents during their visit to Phoenix for the first time and we all absolutely loved it. It was mine and my mother's first time horseback riding and the guide was very considerate of that and gave us clear instructions as to what to do. He was also very personable, funny, and overall made the entire ride incredibly pleasant. Will definitely be going back! Oh and did I mention margaritas afterwards?!! =)
Written November 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First time riders don't have to fear horseback riding. Our staff is great at doing their best to provide riders the confidence they need to enjoy the ride. Thank you for coming out to ride!
Written November 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HolisticLivingLLC
Arizona1 contribution
Mar 2020
This experience was the best from booking with the manager to the actual horseback riding. I haven't been on a horse in decades! It was like riding a horse! LOL Anyways, our wrangler Carmen was great. He was funny, personable and knowledgeable about the local tribe, & reservation, horses and anything else we asked! We spent a few minutes taking pictures of the wild horses ( 30 of them!) and even saw a newborn foal. Our time together on the land and near the wild horses was respectful, spiritual and such a beautiful experience. Can't wait to go back to Koli! We followed up with a trip to Aji Spa. Beautiful day with my Daughter.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sounds like you had an awesome day. I'm happy to hear that Cameron was a great guide for you. Seeing the wild horses is always so majestic and peaceful. Thank you for the review. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written May 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mcruzinoc
Los Alamitos, CA1 contribution
Nov 2020 • Family
Robert was an amazing guide. We had 4 adults and an 11 year old on the ride and he engaged all of us. Some of the riders were first time riders and he help them feel comfortable with their horses. He was also able to answer all of our questions about horses and horseback riding. I recommend scheduling a ride at KOLI and with Robert!
Written November 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate the recommendation and glad to hear you thought highly of Robert. Our goal is do our best so that you can enjoy the ride. We hope to see you again soon.
Written November 23, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Debra C
Phoenix, AZ5 contributions
Feb 2022
Awesome experience with our horseback ride at Koli! Our guide, Bloss, was fun, knowledgeable and always aware of his riders safety. Our group of six ranged in age from 11 to 76 and they expertly matched the appropriate horse to rider. We will be back!
Written February 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No matter the age we have the horses and rides for you. Thank you for bringing out the family.
Written April 1, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa A
Milwaukee, United States91 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
I came to the Koli Equestrian center for the last adventure of my bachelorette party weekend. Chuck was a GREAT guide! Not only were the views fantastic, but his witty personality and hilarious stories kept us laughing throughout the ride. The sunset margarita ride had us on horseback for a good hour through the desert and we finished up with chips and salsa and margaritas which were very good. We sat outside and enjoyed the cooler temperatures as the sun and finished setting behind the mountains. The price is right and I would definitely go back again! Definitely wear jeans!
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for bringing your bachelorette group out to a memorial experience. We love to entertain and inform riders best we can. The Margarita Sunset Ride is the best way to unwind and relax while watching the sun set behind the Estrella Mountains. We look forward to seeing you again.
Written November 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard
2 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
Booking and filing the release forms online was easy. Our guide Ben had a great sense of humor, attended to our needs, and was very informative on every aspect of the experience.
i highly recommend utilizing Koli to anybody interested in riding around the Chandler area
i highly recommend utilizing Koli to anybody interested in riding around the Chandler area
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We love recommendations! Thank you for coming out to enjoy a horseback ride in Chandler. I'm happy to hear you found Ben to be entertaining and informative. We hope to see you again if you're ready to ride.
Written November 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
themor2ns4
Huntsville, AL1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
We came out to Phoenix for the Phoenix Open and decided to take in the scenery on horseback and found this place for a Sunset Margarita ride. It was very enjoyable and Roger and Robert were excellent tour guides. They both kept us entertained with stories about the land, the horses and the people who lived there. They let us ride side by side instead of head to butt which made it very nice to be able to talk to the others in our party. We weren't lucky enough to see any wild horses but they said they are out there sometimes. We all had a great time!!
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate you coming out during our visit to the Phoenix Open. Our Sunset Rides are a great way to end a hectic day. I'm happy to hear you found the staff and their stories entertaining. The horses do run wild and move throughout the day. Perhaps next time we can search them out for you if time allows. Thank you for joining us with your group. Take care.
Written February 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Madeline R
65 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Staff easily accommodated my last-minute walk-in. I went with a small group and our guides were funny, knowledgeable, and great about instilling confidence in beginners. I truly enjoyed learning about the area from someone who has grown up on the land. The scenery is so unique; we saw a lot of wildlife and there were many opportunities for photos!
This ride was definitely a highlight of my trip to Arizona!
This ride was definitely a highlight of my trip to Arizona!
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking a moment to review KOLI Equestrian Center. At times, a simple phone call to see if we can get you in the last minute pays off. Our staff does a great job working with all levels of riders. We are the only Native American Western Style horseback riding in the area which makes us a truly unique experience. I'm happy to hear we were the highlight of your trip to Arizona. Thanks again.
Written February 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I will be visiting the Phoenix area near Koli and interested in Horseback riding. It's been a very long time since Ive been on a horse. Is this something I can still do being a novice at it?
Written November 11, 2023
Totally! They did a great job of helping the novices get matched with the correct mount and help them along the ride as well. We are both advanced riders and were super impressed with how they handled the beginners on the ride.
Written November 12, 2023
Our weight limits are based on height-weight ratios, but are not exact. Generally the maximum weight is 250 lbs up to 6 feet tall and 275 lbs for the folks over 6 feet tall. You must be able to manage and handle your own weight, loading yourself from the ground onto the horse with little assistance from our staff.
Written July 8, 2019
Do we need to make reservations?
Written February 26, 2015
Chuck P
Chandler, Arizona
Please note that KOLI Equestrian Center now has LIVE AVAILABILITY to book online. Visit our website and click any book now button to reserve your ride today.
Written October 17, 2016
Do we need to make reservations?
Written February 26, 2015
Chuck P
Chandler, Arizona
Please note that KOLI Equestrian Center now has LIVE AVAILABILITY to book online. Visit our website and click any book now button to reserve your ride today.
Written October 17, 2016
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