Horseback riding has gone from necessity to recreation. In the days of the Old West, horses provided valuable transportation; today, horseback riding is often listed as one of the "fun" things to do in outdoors destinations such as Colorado's mountain town of Salida. It is a wonderful way to explore the back country of Colorado and get a look at the high country beauty that would otherwise be missed. Chaffee County outfitters provide a number of opportunities for horseback riding--whether you just want to rent a horse, participate in a guided tour, go on a pack saddle hunting or fishing trip, or take an overnight trip. And, if you want to bring your own horse, there are accommodations to do that too! For those who opt to pair up with something-other-than-a-horse, why not try llama trekking? Yes, Salida has that as well…
AOK Korral at the Buena Vista KOA Kampground
One-, two-hour rides; half-day, all-day rides; sunset rides. Trails wind around the BLM wilderness adjacent to the KOA campground. Stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks (fourteeners).
27700 CR 303
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Phone: (719) 395-8336
Toll Free: (800) 562-2672
http://www.aokkorral.com/
aok@allaroundtrailhorses.com
Arkansas Valley Trail Rides (at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Stables)
Scenic rides along Chalk Creek and overlooking the Chalk Cliffs. One-hour trips to days trips, trail rides to pack trips.
14582 CR 162
Nathrop, CO 81236
Phone: (866) 877-3630
http://www.coloradotrailrides.com
avtrilc@yahoo.com
C & M Outfitters
Half- and full-day trips, overnight and multiday pack trips; Evening hayrides in Percheron drawn wagon available.
532 4th Street
Fairplay, CO
Phone: (719) 836-3557
Cottonwood Stables
One- and two-hour, half-day and full-day rides in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
19632 US Hwy 50
Cotopaxi, CO
Phone: (719) 942-4125
http://www.rocknrow.com/
Deer Valley Ranch
Enjoy mountain scenery at a Colorado dude ranch located near Mt. Antero and Mt. Princeton.
16825 CR 162
Nathrop, CO 81236
Phone: (719) 395-2353
Toll Free: (877) 897-1297
http://www.elkmtn.com/?FourteenerNet_HorsebackRiding
fun@deervalleyranch.com
Elk Mountain Ranch
Sunday-to-Sunday Ranch Week, rates include meals, lodging, activities.
PO Box 910
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Phone: (719) 539-4430
Toll Free: (800) 432-8812
http://www.elkmtn.com/?FourteenerNet_HorsebackRiding
Granite Mountain Outfitters
Summer and Fall western outdoor and ranch fun, rides along the base of the Sangro de Cristo Mountains. One- and two-hour rides, half-and full-day horseback excursions.
4500 US Hwy 285
Villa Grove, CO 81155
Phone: (719) 530-0480 or (719) 221-3479 (cell)
http://www.granitemountainoutfitters.com
sue@granitemountainoutfitters.com
Harvard City Stable
All rides in national forest, multiday trips, pack trips, fishing and hunting.
Collegiate Peaks Outfitters at this location offers full service pack-in hunts,
drop camps and cabin-based hunts. They also lease horses and provide packing services for hunters.
20360 CR 306
Buena Vista, CO 81211 (7 miles west on CR 306 on Cottonwood Pass)
Phone: (719) 395-4000
www.collegiatepeaksoutfitters.com
High Country Trail Rides
Rides ranging from one hour to a full day and pack trips in the Monarch Pass area and along the Continental Divide. Rides are available until October. Customized horseback rides, take from 1-6 hours. Stay at the Shadow Mountain Guest Ranch, 7 miles from Granby.
PO Box 1849Granby, CO 80446
Phone: (970) 531-0480 or (970) 887-8991
http://www.highcountry-trails.com
highcountrytrails@live.com
Parelli Horse Play
Horse training, programs, clinics, lessons.
8764 CR 140 Salida, CO 81201
Phone: (719) 539-6720
http://www.parellihorseplay.com/ parellihorseplay@yahoo.com
Red Hawk Ranch
Western riding lessons and training (using your horse or theirs).
CR 162
Nathrop, CO 81236
Phone: (719) 395-8583
Spring Canyon Christian Camp and Conference Center—Horseback riding with Arkansas Valley Trail Rides
Phone: (719) 395-3390
www.coloradotrailrides.com
