Top 10 Riding Spots in the American West
The American West is the original modern ranch country and the home of the working Quarter Horse. From the alpine plateaus of Wyoming to the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, the region offers a unique combination of vast public lands, surviving working ranches, and a riding tradition that goes back to Spanish vaquero practice on Mexican cattle ranges of the 17th century. All centres are on the map.
1. Yellowstone and the Absarokas
The country east and north of Yellowstone — the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges — has the densest concentration of pack outfitters in the lower 48. Multi-day pack trips into the Thorofare wilderness. Mid-June to mid-September.
2. Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole
Dude ranches and guest ranches in the Jackson area offer everything from afternoon rides to weeks of cattle work. The Triangle X, Heart Six, and others have operated for generations. June to September.
3. Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming
The Bighorn Mountains east of the Bighorn Basin offer high-meadow pack trips. Less crowded than the Tetons. Several outfitters in Sheridan, Buffalo, and Greybull. July-September.
4. Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Tanque Verde Ranch and other Tucson-area guest ranches offer year-round desert riding through saguaro country. Best November-April when cooler. Beginner-friendly.
5. Montana High Country
Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness south of it are some of the wildest country in the lower 48. Pack outfitters in Choteau and Augusta. July-September.
6. Colorado Rockies
Aspen, Steamboat, and the Holy Cross Wilderness all have established outfitters. Vista Verde and Sundance are among the well-known guest ranches. June-September; winter sleigh-rides also.
7. New Mexico High Desert
The Vermejo and Cimarron country in northern New Mexico is high-desert ranch land with old Spanish land-grant heritage. Several working ranches accept paying guests. April-October.
8. Black Hills, South Dakota
The Black Hills on the Wyoming-Dakota border offer pine-forest and prairie riding around Mount Rushmore and the Custer State Park. Several outfitters. May-October.
9. Sierra Nevada, California
The high Sierra and Yosemite back country offer some of the finest pack-trip terrain in the West. Several outfitters in Bridgeport and Lone Pine. July-September.
10. Texas Hill Country
The Hill Country west of Austin has long-established dude ranches and trail-riding operations. The Mayan Dude Ranch and others. Year-round; brutal in midsummer.
The American Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse — bred for short-distance speed and cow sense — is the working horse of the West. Solid, calm, and trained for cattle work, it is the horse you will most often ride at any genuine American ranch.
Dude ranches and guest ranches
The dude ranch is an American invention dating to the 1880s. Guest ranches today range from full working operations where guests can join cattle drives to luxury resort ranches. The Dude Ranchers' Association certifies the genuine working operations.
Booking and season
Summer (June-September) is peak season for high-country rides; desert ranches operate October-April. Famous guest ranches book six to twelve months ahead, especially for family weeks. Cattle-work weeks require some prior riding experience.
From reading to planning
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