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Horseback Riding in the Canadian Rockies
In search of the Ultimate Canadian Rockies horseback adventure? Explore Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Kananaskis and the BC Rockies on horseback like our ancestors before us. From relaxing day rides to multi-day trail ride excursions, Ultimate Rockies will ensure you get the horseback experience of a lifetime.
Horseback travel has been a traditional means of access and transportation in the Rockies for more than a century. In recent years, the mixture of horse traffic and foot traffic has generated complaints from the hiking faction. Nonetheless, horseback riding in the Canadian Rockies remains an immensely popular recreational activity and a great way to take in the incredible scenery that the area has to offer. To alleviate conflicts, outfitters are permitted to operate on specific trails to provide visitors with a truly unique experience.
During the summer, commercial outfitters offer day rides and pack trips at several locations in the Rockies. While public horse use is allowed on some trails, a majority of trail traffic is from professional outfitters and their groups. For something a little more laid back, horse drawn carriage rides are ideal for couples and families that seek a relaxing tour of towns like Banff. A famous symbol of the Canadian Rockies, Mounties (the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) can also be seen roaming the streets of Banff on horse.
For those seeking a winter horseback adventure, sleigh rides can be both a romantic experience and fun for the whole family. Sleigh rides are offered in numerous locations throughout the Rockies, including Banff, Lake Louise, Kananaskis, Jasper, Kimberley and Panorama.
Horseback Trail Rides and Horse Drawn Tours
One of the best ways to experience a Canadian Rockies holiday on horseback is with an established outfitting company. Some of the tours available through Ultimate Rockies include:
- Horseback riding day trips
- Horse drawn carriage rides
- Backcountry excursions on horseback (tent and lodge)
- Winter sleigh rides
With tours originating from most locations, you are never far away from an exceptional Canadian Rockies equestrian adventure. Ultimate Rockies Vacations ensures a “can’t miss” experience by connecting you with the best tours at the best prices from the most respected tour operators. Be sure to contact us about the different horseback and horse drawn tours available during your stay in the Canadian Rockies. Advance reservations are necessary, so book early.
Booking Request Form
| Tour |
Description |
Departs |
Duration |
Price ($ Cdn) |
Banff Mountain Morning Breakfast Ride
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Get a taste of the mountain air with a morning trail ride along the base of Sulphur Mountain to a delicious BBQ breakfast. Relax at 3 Mile Cabin by the Sundance Canyon Trail, while your steak and eggs are being prepared. Return along the banks of the Bow River to Martin Stables.
The breakfast menu includes BBQ Steak, Western Style Eggs, Danish, English Muffins, Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Coffee, Tea & Hot Chocolate.
For non-riders, the steak fry site is accessible by horse drawn carriage or covered wagon.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) every day from 9am - 12pm during summer
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3 hrs
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$76 per person
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Covered Wagon Cookout
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Enjoy a historic wagon ride along the banks of the Bow River. Fall back in time as a covered wagon transports you, old west style, to the BBQ site. Try your hand at roping, or challenge your friends to a game of horseshoes while our cook fires up the barbecue and prepares lunch.
Lunch menu includes BBQ Steak, Home-made Baked Beans, Caesar Salad, Rolls, Fresh Fruit, Sweets, Coffee, Juice
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) every day from 11am - 2pm during summer
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3 hrs
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$66 per person
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Evening Trail Ride / Steak Fry
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Enjoy a leisurely one-hour trail ride to the BBQ site, located near the Sundance Canyon trail. Try your hand at roping, challenge friends to a game of horseshoes or relax in the picnic area, while our cook prepares your steak to order. After a hearty meal you will ride back to Martin Stables for an hour along the banks of the Bow River.
Dinner menu includes BBQ Steak, Home-made Baked Beans, Caesar Salad, Rolls, Fresh Fruit, Sweets, Coffee, Juice
For non-riders, the steak fry site is accessible by horse drawn carriage or covered wagon.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) every day from 5pm - 8pm during summer
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3 hrs
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$76 per person
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Bow River Ride
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Let us guide you through the Cave & Basin - the original historic hot springs. The trail loops around the marsh following the Bow River back to Martin Stables. |
Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) daily from 9am - 6pm during summer
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1 hr
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$30 per person
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Sundance Loop Ride
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Departing from Martin Stables, our cowboys will lead you through the Cave & Basin-the original hot springs--along the Bow River. Fantastic scenery surrounds as you climb up Sulphur Mountain around the Windy Knoll viewpoint. The ride loops around the marsh, following the Bow River, bringing you back to Martin Stables.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm during summer
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2 hrs
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$54 per person
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Bow Valley Loop Ride
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Majestic landscapes await you on the Bow Valley Loop ride. This ride offers the greatest variety of scenery; it travels through the Cave & Basin and along the Sundance Canyon Trail to a thick, lush forest. You'll spend approximately 45 minutes riding through the tranquility of the woods, where we often spot wildlife. Continue your ride around the Windy Knoll as you climb Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views of the Bow Valley. Follow the Bow River back to Martin Stables.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) daily at 9am and 1pm during summer
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3 hrs
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$73 per person
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Explorer Day Ride
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Our most popular and scenic trail ride through the Spray River Valley, The Explorer is a must for all visitors to Banff. Join us for a chance to capture panoramic views of the valley from Sulphur Mountain. While lunch is being prepared western style, take the opportunity to explore the shores of the Spray River. On the homeward trek you will ride along the base of Mt. Rundle, offering unique views of the Spray River.
Lunch menu includes BBQ Steak, Home-made Baked Beans, Caesar Salad, Rolls, Fresh Fruit, Sweets, Coffee, Juice
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) daily at 9:30am and arrives back at 4:30pm during summer
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7 hrs
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$140 per person
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The Lone Rider
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This is an exclusive wilderness package for those wanting a quick getaway. Enjoy a private trip to the beautiful Sundance Lodge for lunch. This ride allows you to get away from the town and experience Banff's incredible backcountry first hand. Contact us for full details and arrangements. Minimum of two people. |
Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) daily at 9:30am and arrives back at 4:30pm during summer
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7 hrs
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$255 per person
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Spray River Ride
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Departing from the Banff Springs Corral, our guides will lead you past the Bow Falls, where you cross through the Spray River. Continue along the edge of the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, and cross through the waters once more. A partial climb up Sulphur Mountain brings you through a wooded residential area and back to the corrals. |
Departs on the hour from Banff Springs Hotel Corral 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. |
1 hr
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$34 per person
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Sulphur Mountain / Spray River Ride
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For those of you looking for a half-day ride that gives you a small glimpse of the Banff National Park backcountry. This ride starts along the streets of Banff to a trailhead where you start your climb up Sulphur Mountain. Ride past the world famous Rimrock Resort Hotel and underneath the gondola. You will climb two thirds of the way up Sulphur Mountain along winding, wooded trails before you begin to descend. In the valley, you will cross the Spray River and follow the base of Mt. Rundle. Continue along the edge of the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course to the Bow Falls where you will cross the Spray River once more. The ride comes to a close back at the Fairmont Banff Springs Corral. |
Departs from Banff Springs Hotel Corral at 9:00am and 2:00pm daily. |
2 hrs
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$82 per person
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Wilderness Tenting Rides
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These trips explore some of Banff National Park's most spectacular back country. Join us on a 3, 4, 5, or 6 day Wilderness Tenting Ride in the Cascade Valley.
Each of the 3 camps on the circuit offer their own particular charms. Stoney Creek Camp sits at the junction of Stoney Creek and the Cascade River, and offers the rugged, sculptured peaks of the Palliser Range as a backdrop. Flints Park Camp is nestled into the base of massive Flints Peak. Open vistas and starry nights highlight this beautiful camp. The last camp is aptly called Mystic, with its stands of big, old pine and spruce trees covered with hanging moss, and open, grassy slides; this camp is set in a truly mystical location.
The clanging of the dinner bell calls all to delicious ranch-style meals. Coffee is always on and kept hot on the wood stove. The horses, chosen especially to meet your needs and experience, will win you over with their charming personalities and amaze you with their abilities. A strong "partnership" is usually formed by ride's end. During your ride, trails may lead to the tranquil beauty of Rainbow, Sawback or Cuthead Lakes; to the overwhelming views of 40 Mile Summit, Cuthead View Point, or the Rainbow Ridge; the open valleys on the Passes of Elk Lake or 40 Mile Summit, the beauty of the Dormer and Block Valleys or the eerie atmosphere of Mystic Valley. The historic elk corral or wild goat trap should provide you with plenty of opportunities to see and capture on film the abundant wildlife common to the area: elk, deer, bighorn sheep, goats, eagles and the occasional bear or timber wolf. The rides are casual, with breaks and leisurely lunches.
Lunch is served on the trail and there is usually time for some exploring, fishing and even a well deserved snooze in the tall grass...
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) every week from late June to mid Sept
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3,4,5 & 6 day trips
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$475 - $1238 per person
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Wilderness Day Lodge Rides
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For folks who are looking to take a little bit of home into the back-country, Sundance and Halfway Lodges provide just the right combination. Like the Wilderness Tenting rides, days are spent horseback riding and exploring. Unlike the tenting rides, evenings are spent in a cozy lodge. We call that roughing it the civilized way!
Completed in 1991, Sundance Lodge now sits on the original site of the horse corral for Ten-Mile cabin, built by Canadian Pacific Railway back in the 1920's. The cabin itself remains standing and was declared a historical site in 1990. It was used as a refuge for mountain guides and packers traveling to Mount Assiniboine, whose names you can still see carved into the logs.
Sundance Lodge sits alongside a gentle curve on Brewster Creek, with the Sundance mountain range as a backdrop. Built entirely with fir logs, the lodge has 10 sleeping rooms, a large country kitchen, and a cozy living room area where you can curl up by the woodstove and lose yourself in a good book. And although it is a remote backcountry lodge, we decided to add what we felt was an important comfort from home - hot showers! (Please note that, for environmental reasons, showers are restricted to one per stay.)
The lifestyle at this rustic backcountry cabin remains much the same as it was 75 years ago - simple. Propane lanterns and candles provide the lighting, and a woodstove keeps the water hot and the cabin warm and cozy.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) every week from late June to mid Sept
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3,4,5 & 6 day trips
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$532 - $1202 per person
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Adventure Expedition Rides
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The most challenging and rugged trips we offer are the Adventure Expedition rides, designed for the outdoor enthusiast. New camps are established daily as the expedition penetrates further into the mountains. You will visit isolated areas of Banff National Park that few have an opportunity to experience, and travel mountain passes and valleys that are of unsurpassed beauty.
Here also is the opportunity to brush up on your camp "skills", pitch your tent, haul a bucket or two of water, and help gather fire wood. Guest participation is a very important part of these trips. A maximum of 9 guests are allowed on the moving trips and duffel is kept at a weight not exceeding 30 lbs. The trip includes all food.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) every Thursday from late June to mid Sept
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6 days
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$1398 - $1659 per person
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Banff Sleigh Rides
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Join us on a sleigh ride with your family and friends; the perfect "Western Touch" to your winter holiday.
Sleigh rides are available every hour on the hour, 7 days per week, from 10:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. weather and snow conditions permitting. Rides are approximately 45 minutes. Advance reservations are required. |
Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) 7 days a week
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45 min
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$20 adults
$17 children 12 & under
Children under 3 are free
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Banff Romance Sleigh Rides (private)
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We offer a romantic sleigh ride package perfect for just the two of you. Package includes Bernard Callebaut chocolates, liqueurs and an authentic buffalo robe for extra warmth to make your ride truly special. Advance reservations are required.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) 7 days a week
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45 min
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$125 per couple
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Banff Campfire and Sleigh Ride
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Enjoy a leisurely sleigh ride along the Bow River and escape to our cozy nook on the banks for a truly Canadian experience! Roast marshmallows over a campfire and sip on steaming hot chocolate. Sleigh rides are available 7 days per week, weather and snow conditions permitting. Departure times are 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. Rides are approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes in duration. Advance reservations are required.
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Departs Martin Stables (near Banff) 7 days a week
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1.75 hrs
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$45 adults
$30 children 12 & under
Children under 3 are free
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* All prices include GST
**Exclusive to accommodation guests only
Not all options are displayed on our website. Please contact us for more details on trips available during your preferred dates.
Booking Request Form
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