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Banff is one of the most popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies. A beautiful town surrounded by some of the most impressive views. Famed for its outdoor adventures, Banff is popular for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. But did you know you can also go horseback riding in Banff?
It’s a unique way to get closer to nature in this remarkable place and see the national park from a different perspective. Plus you get to meet some wonderful friendly horses which, let’s face it, is the most exciting part.
Where is Banff?
Banff is the largest, and most popular, town in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada. Only a 2-hour drive from the city of Calgary, getting to Banff is really easy.
You can drive, or take one of the many shuttle buses that run between the two places, directly from Calgary Airport. Banff is full of hotels and fantastic restaurants, which makes it the perfect place to base yourself to explore the National Park.
There’s a really good transit system in the town of Banff which means you don’t necessarily need a car to get around, but it makes it easier for visiting some of the out-of-town places.
Where can I go horseback riding?
The good news is that you don’t need a car to have access to horseback riding in Banff. Banff Trail Riders are the premier horseback riding company right here in Banff. Even the walk to get to the stables is lovely.
It’ll only take you about 10-minutes to reach the stables from the main town of Banff. While most of the tours leave from the Stables, there are a couple that leave from the Corrals.
Make sure to check which location your tour leaves from as the Corrals are next to the Fairmont Banff Springs in the opposite direction. It still only takes about 20-minutes to walk there from the main town.
About Banff Trail Riders
With about 300 horses in total, Banff Trail Riders is the king of horseback riding in Banff. Their horses are all rescue horses, and since they have so many horses this allows the animals plenty of rest as they are subbed in and out. In fact, they get more than 7 months a year off.
The number of guides per tour might depend on the size of the group. On our tour, the 1-hour Bow River Ride, there were about 12 people. For that we had one guide at either end of the single-file line of horses.
Do I need any experience?
Surprisingly, no. Knowing your left from your right can help, but you’ll be closely follow the horse in front which makes it hard to get lost. Other than that, you’ll be given all the instructions you need to get through your tour before you set off. They’ll even help you get on and off the horse with the aid of a handy little stool.
As well as handy tips before you start riding, you will have tour guides with you who will check in throughout the ride. They will typically be positioned with one at the front and one at the back of the tour, to make sure you don’t veer away from the group.
Is horseback riding dangerous?
As with any animal, you can’t 100% know what horses might do. As such, you will have to sign a waiver before you ride, and they will make you understand that there are potential dangers involved.
That said, you could argue the same about getting in a car in that all drivers might react in a different way. The horses here are all trained really well, and the tour guides keep an eye on you as you go.
On the basic tour, you’ll never go faster than a walk so as long as you listen to how to slow the horse down if it starts to pick up the pace, you’ll be just fine.
How long is a horseback riding tour?
There are a number of tours you can take with Banff Trail Riders, ranging from one to four hours. Some are a quick tour, some involve a BBQ cookout. I opted for the Bow River Trail horseback riding tour which was an hour long.
This tour, if you’re not an avid horseback rider, is just enough time to start to feel it in your legs. The trail is a loop and will take you along a road, through a bit of a forest, alongside a river and back to the stables. All with mountain views along the way, and other scenic views around Banff.
The hour goes by fairly quickly, and is a nice length. You’ll have time before you start riding to meet the horse, and there is time before and after to take photos too. The trail itself has a little ups, a little downs, but mostly flat.
What will I see?
Beautiful views – mountains all around, grassy fields, bluer-than-blue rivers. This is one unique way to see more of Banff National Park. Walking and hiking are great, but horse-riding in Banff is a lot more fun. Plus you get to make friends with a lovely horse.
If you’re lucky you’ll see some more wildlife on your tour, other than horses of course. This is a national park so the guides will tell you of some of the animals that inhabit the area.
There’s always the possibility of seeing bear, coyotes or deer, and the horses are generally very good with them. The good news is that a horse is a pretty big animal so most other wildlife doesn’t stick around too long.
Top Tips for a horseback riding tour in Banff
While you will get enough pre-tour emails to cover most of the things you’ll wonder about, here are a few things I learned on my tour:
BAGS
The website states not to bring a bag, I even called up and they said they didn’t have anywhere to keep them, however when I got to the stables they took small handbags from the riders to keep for the duration of the tour.
Bags won’t necessarily be locked up, so leave valuables at the hotel, but I wish I’d known that before leaving everything at the hotel.
PANTS
Jeans are ideal as they are hard wearing, or workout pants. Also, wear darker colors as the friction from the leather saddle can make marks on your clothing. You may get splashed with some mud depending on the recent weather so don’t wear anything too good.
SAFETY
You’ll get a safety talk before you start, and all riders must wear a helmet. They will check sizing for you and make sure you can adjust it. Make sure to wear closed-toe sturdy shoes. Check your email as they’ll send a waiver to sign at least a day before your horseback riding tour.
DUCKING
Horses will follow the trail, but can get close to trees. While they might make it under a low hanging branch, you might not. Make sure you know how to “steer” your horse before you get going, or risk a mouthful of leaves.
GET THERE EARLY
They advise you to get there 30-minutes before. They will check you’ve completed your waiver and get you set up. But this is the perfect time to meet some of the horses, and get some nice photos.
PHOTOS
You won’t be able to take a bag, so make sure you’re wearing something with easy access to a secure pocket for your phone. This way you can easily take some photos on the trail, but not have to hold your phone all the time (you’ll need your hands for the reins).
Should I go horseback riding in Banff?
Absolutely. It’s fun, has amazing views, friendly horses, and you’ll get to experience something truly unique. Not too sure? Start with one of the 1-hour tours. The Bow River Trail was a great introduction – really easy and not too long for a beginner.
If you’re a fan of horses this is the perfect Banff activity. If you’re not sure about them, go early and meet some of the horses to see that they’re lovely animals. Maybe this tour will change your mind.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you been horseback riding in Banff before? If not, does it sound like something you’d like to try?
What a lovely way to explore the beautiful Banff area with the additional possibility of seeing wildlife! One thing that we are always conscious of when doing any activities with animals is to be sure that they are treated well. It’s good to know that these horses are not only rescue horses but that they get so much time off. And it’s also great that the company is very safety conscious and provides proper equipment as well as having guides to keep an eye out for you while on the ride. Your tips about what to expect and what/what not to bring were really useful as well. The BBQ cookout trip sounds like fun!
Absolutely, I always make sure to do research when planning any activity around animals. There are so many places that don’t do enough and value tourism over ethical treatment so I was super happy to hear all the things they do here to take care of the horses – and they all seemed really happy and well looked after
The last time I did this I fell off (twice!) and got a concussion. Apparently there were bees that were stinging the horses and that’s why they kept jumping and running. It was not fun. But I would like to someday try again, and Banff would be a lovely place to do it. It’s a good opportunity to get a unique perspective of the area, as you say. Good to see you all wearing helmets! It’s nice the horses are able to get lots of rest.
Oh no! That’s not a good experience, and I can understand maybe being a bit hesitant to try again. The pace we were going at was very slow, and lots of safety procedures including mandatory use of helmets. Hope you get to try it again one day and have a better experience
Maybe this is the place! I’ll be in Banff later this summer so we’ll see…
Hmmmm…. I am not too far from Banff right now, this is very timely (although I am heading to my sister’s horse ranch). What a fun idea and a great way to explore Banff — an absolutely splendid park. If I can find parking in Banff, I will do this tomorrow. Thanks for the idea.
-Lyn (www.ramblynjazz.com)
You got my attention just with the photos 🙂 those cute faces are awesome!
What an incredible adventure you’ve shared in your travel blog post! Horseback riding in Banff, sounds like an unforgettable experience. Your vivid descriptions have truly transported me to the picturesque landscapes and rugged beauty of this region.
It’s evident that horseback riding offers a unique and intimate way to connect with nature and immerse oneself in the stunning surroundings.
The information you provide is incredibly helpful, from the tips on selecting the right riding tour to the safety considerations and insights. It’s clear that you’ve done your research and have a deep appreciation for the environment and the well-being of the horses.
Thank you for sharing your horseback riding adventure in Banff!
I’ve never done horse back riding and can’t ride so have never thought of this before.
However, now I’ve read this, it looks like a fun way to see the countryside and do some trail exploration in a different way.
Good tips here about what to wear and do.
It also strikes me as a very environmental friendly way to see this part of the world.
What an epic way to experience the beautiful nature of Banff! I would love to do this – horseback riding is always a fun experience. Good to know about not having a bag available – I like to carry my DSLR on my neckstrap for easy access but it’s good to know for my cell phone!
I would absolutely love to go horseback riding in Banff! I rode a lot as a kid and have been wanting to take any opportunity during my travels to get back into it. I can imagine riding through the romantic environment and forests in Banff will make for an impressive life memory. My only question would be if they are receptive towards solo travellers? I had a few turn downs in Australia telling me I have to come with a group and they couldn’t allocate individual solo travellers to their daily ride outs.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I visited as a solo traveler, so there’s definitely no rule about it. I believe the only thing is that they need minimum 2 people in the group overall to do the tour, so if you pick a date/time where no-one else has signed up yet you may see that you can’t book as a solo person, but once someone else has signed up you shouldn’t have an issue
I loved your article about horseback riding in Banff, Canadian Rockies. You have taken me on an amazing adventure, with your gorgeous photos and engaging stories. I was impressed by the scenery and the wildlife that you encountered on your ride, as well as the fun and friendly atmosphere of the ranch. You have also given me some useful information on how to book, what to expect and what to pack for the ride. Thank you for this informative and entertaining guide.
A few months ago, I watched BBC’s Race Across the World where the race took place in Canada. I was bowled over with the country’s vast and diverse landscape, its wilderness and the multitude of remote places. Banff was one of the many the stopping points. It’s so nice to be able to come across with Banff again from your lovely post and read more about this special place. I could see myself horse riding in Banff and galloping into the wild with wonder.
Jan