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Horseback Riding in Las Vegas
Red Rock trail rides, sunset dinner rides, and beginner lessons — here’s where to saddle up around the valley.
More Things to Do in Vegas →People are always surprised when I tell them how much wide-open desert sits just past the neon. As a lifelong Las Vegan, one of my favorite ways to show it off is on horseback — there’s nothing like riding out toward the red sandstone cliffs of Red Rock at sunrise or watching the sky go pink over a dinner ride. Whether you’re a visitor looking for a bucket-list morning or a local who wants to ride every week, here are the stables and outfitters I point people to. A few of the older spots have changed hands or closed over the years, so everything below is a place that’s still saddling up. Always double-check hours, pricing, age and weight limits, and reservations on each company’s official site before you go — those details change with the seasons out here.
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Guided desert trail rides
Cowboy Trail Rides
This is the classic Red Rock ride and the one I recommend most for first-timers and visitors. They run several trail options across the desert around Red Rock Canyon — think a Red Rock overlook ride, a canyon rim ride, and a popular sunset ride with a cowboy BBQ — with well-trained horses and guides who match the pace to your group, from total novice to experienced. Tip: The sunset BBQ ride books up fast in spring and fall, so reserve early and check the official site for what’s currently running.
Wild West Horseback Adventures
If you want the whole experience handled for you, this outfitter is known for rides that pair a guided desert trail with a western-style meal — a morning breakfast ride and a sunset dinner ride are their signatures — and several packages include round-trip transportation from Strip-area hotels. It’s an easy, all-in-one option if you don’t have a car. Tip: Confirm pickup details and what’s included when you book on their official site, since packages and meals vary.
Majestic Desert Adventures
Another good pick for the Red Rock scenery, this company runs guided desert trail rides suited to both beginners and more experienced riders, with professional guides and safety gear provided. It’s a nice alternative if the other Red Rock rides are full for your dates. Tip: Ask about times and what to wear — closed-toe shoes and sun protection are a must in the desert — and check current availability on their official site.
Sandy Valley Ranch
This is the one for people who want the real working-ranch feel, not just a trail ride. It’s a bit of a drive out into the desert — they like to say “45 minutes and 100 years from Las Vegas” — and they offer everything from a relaxed 90-minute trail ride to a faster Pony Express ride and even cattle-sorting in the arena. A great day trip if you want more saddle time. Tip: Rides are private and matched to your ability, and they’re reservation-only, so call or email ahead through their official site.
Lessons & local stables
Las Vegas Horse Ranch
A nice all-around option if you live here and want to ride regularly. They do scenic desert trail rides (group, private, and sunset), plus one-on-one lessons in both Western and English riding for all ages and skill levels, and boarding if you eventually get your own horse. They welcome beginners with no experience needed. Tip: Great for families and for locals testing whether riding is a hobby you’ll stick with — confirm current lesson and ride options on their official site.
Talisman Farm
If you’re serious about learning proper riding — especially dressage, with jumping for more advanced riders — this is a boutique lesson barn in the northwest valley with show-quality lesson horses. They focus on private instruction and tend to attract adult amateur riders who want to really develop their skills. Tip: This is instruction-focused rather than a one-off tourist trail ride, so reach out through their official site to set up a lesson.
A few local tips before you saddle up
Ride early or at sunset in the warmer months — midday desert heat is no joke, and many outfitters shift their schedules seasonally. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, bring water and sunscreen, and ask about age and weight limits when you book, since most stables have them for the horses’ safety. Nearly every ride here is reservation-only, so don’t just show up. And if you fall in love with it and start dreaming about a place with room for your own horses, that’s a conversation my team has all the time.
A couple of spots that used to be on lists like this have changed: Paradise Ranch now operates as an equine-assisted therapy program rather than a public riding stable, and Hunter’s Edge has shifted to a private boarding and training facility — so I’ve left them off the ride-with-them list. If you know of a great stable I should add, I’d love to hear about it.
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Lori Ballen
REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty Las Vegas, leading The Ballen Group. A lifelong Las Vegan sharing the best of the valley.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this site are affiliate links. Portions of this content are generated by AI.
