I am taking a summer trip to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier national parks and we are hoping to dedicate a day to go on a trail ride. We are experienced riders (and horse owners; 2 adults, no children), so we don’t want the tail-to-nose shuffling trail horse experience. Looking for a company that can accommodate the experienced rider for a full day ride. Any suggestions? Also, for anyone that has been here, where is the best place to go on a trail ride? We love beautiful scenery and wildlife. Would love specific regions to focus on, or places to avoid. Was thinking of trying to focus the effort around Big Sky or north of Yellowstone as it would be most convenient, but if others think we would have a better experience elsewhere, such as near Teton or Glacier, please don’t hesitate to make suggestions.
There are so many outfitters, its hard to know where to start!
Nine Quarter Circle Ranch up Taylor Fork. Between Big Sky and West Yellowstone. I’ve ridden up there ages ago with my old trainer and it’s beautiful.
I’ve also ridden out of the trailhead behind the 320 Ranch which is across the Gallatin River, but also just south of Big Sky.
Call ahead and talk to Cedar Mountain Corrals about what you want; they are personal friends of mine and a small enough business that they can really get you out and covering some ground. Most of the big places will not accommodate that but BJ and his family will understand exactly what you’re after and you’ll enjoy their company too. They’re right on the mountain at Big Sky and will get you in the center of the Spanish Peaks, my old stomping grounds. We’ve ridden nearly every trail in those mountains and it’s incredible; BJ is the real deal. If for some reason you can’t get in with them they can recommend someone that is more your speed.
My husband and I will be going with http://adventuresoutfitting.com/home.php later this summer in MT. But they also go into Yellowstone. I’ve never used them before, but come highly recommended by a co-worker of my husbands.
FWIW, I’d rather ride anywhere else in the region than Yellowstone. Yellowstone sounds glamorous but in practice it’s not all that scenic and it’s full of people, rules and regulations.
Look through the pictures on the facebook pages of different places and you’ll see a difference, depending on what you’re after.
I have to recommend the Mantle Ranch. We rode with them last summer and had a marvelous ride. We rode well trained and well behaved horses and had a lot of fun crossing beautiful country at a varied pace. They were recommended to us by a friend, but they have a website also: www.montanahorses.com.
We were staying in Big Sky, and I believe their ranch was about a 50 minute drive north.
MT Horses is about two hours from Big Sky, they’re 45 miles due west of Bozeman. They used to be my neighbors until we moved away. 
Since we lived right there it’s hard for me to recommend it as a destination for a ride; we always left that area to go ride in the wilderness! But they are a great possibility; absolutely check with them too. Be careful what you ask for if you ride with Kail! :lol:
Is there still a stables at Jenny Lake in the Tetons? I used to ride there with my then-boyfriend everytime we went out to San Francisco. It was wonderful. They just rented us the horses and turned us loose on the trails. So wonderful. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and the horses were fresh and would canter on the trails.
Cowboymom, yes, I don’t remember exactly how far it was, maybe a bit farther than I thought! Yes, Kail took us on his extreme trail course at the end of our ride, after we had stopped at the mountainside bar for a shot of whiskey to fortify us.
We also did a larger group ride with Jake’s horses which was much closer. Their horses were quite decent (but not as fancy or well trained as at the Mantle Ranch). I do believe that if we had been in a smaller group for that ride we probably could have ridden at a more lively pace. The trails/countryside we went through was stunning. Our guide was inexperienced but pleasant. Downside–some of the saddles were real crap with weirdly mismatched stirrups, etc. Overall I would ride with them again.
That sounds like Jake’s! :lol:
Yeah, Jake’s (just outside of Big Sky) isn’t the fanciest of places, but they get the job done. I’ve ridden with them a couple of times. Very safe horses. I’ve even ridden with them in the winter as they are one of the few that operate in that season. That was fun (if a bit slippery!)They will do longer rides for those with experience if you call and reserve.
They ride out of the National Forest trailhead at the 320 Ranch across the highway. If you do a long ride, you will get some spectacular scenery once you get up in elevation a bit.
Also in their favor… I once sent them a scathing email because I saw one of their trail horses limping badly as the ride crossed the highway. They were kind enough to reply and get more details and said they would make sure everyone’s feet were OK. I thought that was pretty cool.
Riding and Rafts in Alpine, WY. They used to have a website but their Trip Advisor page has a review from 2014 so I assume they are still in business.
For $45 they gave me a hand drawn map and a big ol’ appaloosa and set me loose. Yes, I trail rode by myself for 3 hours up and down a small mountain. It was amazing!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.797046066300.2463764.16910964&type=1&l=2d6cc8e72e
Sorry my phone wouldn’t let me add the link to the pictures to my previous post
Thanks for some great suggestions all! I really appreciate it!
