Whether you’re already hot to trot or just ready for your first equine adventure, you can find it in the Wasatch Mountains. From overnighting at a luxurious ranch to trail riding through the foothills, the Park City area has endless options for unbridled fun.
If you want horses to be the “mane” event in your next neighborhood, we’ve rounded up ideas for that as well. In addition to having fun, make a difference at Park City’s and Heber City’s horse rescues, where you can donate your funds or time to save wild mustangs and horses with uncertain futures.
Giddy up and learn more about horsing around in Park City.
Guided Horseback Rides
Whether you’re well-versed in riding or it’s your first time in the saddle, consider a guided trail ride. Year-round horseback rides depart from Soldier Hollow Stables with Rocky Mountain Outfitters and feature incredible views of Deer Creek Reservoir and the beautiful Heber Valley along the way. Intermediate and advanced riders also can book year-round excursions and lessons with Wind In Your Hair Riding in Wanship.
Hoof it through 1,000 acres of private land near Canyons Village on summer horseback tours with Red Pine Adventures or trot through Deer Valley’s forested mountain terrain on Boulder Mountain Ranch’s guided summer trail rides. Almosta Ranch’s scenic trail rides, lessons and horse boarding offer direct access to bridle paths, so you’re always ready to ride without transporting a horse.
Ranch Stays
Experience Utah ranch life for yourself when booking accommodations at The Lodge at Blue Sky, a one-of-a-kind luxury resort built on the property of Blue Sky Ranch. Consider the lodge a mountain home away from home, and delve into its outdoorsy offerings, including practicing the art of natural horsemanship, which focuses on communicating and working with each horse and their unique personalities. It also involves recognizing the signals each horse gives and varying their daily routines.
Learn how to ride, train and care for horses from experts during private equine experiences or gallop through the foothills to the Tavern, a late 1800s cabin at the ranch. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides past beautiful farm and mountain scenery in the summer.
Blue Sky is also home to Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation, which serves as a rescue and forever home for 45-plus horses. The property is the only guest ranch with its own full-time veterinarian, and The Remuda (a 30,000-square-foot covered riding arena and vet center) provides the best in animal care for these horses. During the Rescue Horse Rehabilitation Experience, guests work with a single horse, participating in its rehabilitation process firsthand. The fee to take part goes directly to the foundation.
Sleigh Rides
The song “Jingle Bells” becomes reality when dashing through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh in the Park City region. Pair a sleigh ride with a gourmet dinner at Park City Mountain Resort, where Snowed Inn Sleigh Company takes over select slopes once the chairlifts close. Cowboys guide horse-drawn sleighs up the mountain while guests stay toasty under blankets. Arrive at Snowed Inn’s slope-side cabin and thaw out with hot cider, cocktails, Western cuisine and live music.
Add a little razzle-dazzle to your holiday season with a twinkling lights sleigh ride at Jordanelle Reservoir. Rocky Mountain Outfitters hosts this spectacular show filled with lasers, colorful lights and visits from Santa. Huge Percheron draft horses pull sleds through this winter wonderland on 20-minute nighttime rides.
For more holiday fun, head to High Star Ranch in Kamas for a Clydesdale-led wagon tour around the snowy property. Tours begin and end at the Ranch’s Country Store & Cafe, where you can grab a cup of hot chocolate before your ride.
Horse Rescues
If you’re passionate about protecting rescued horses, consider visiting, supporting and volunteering at the area’s equine sanctuaries. These refuges provide safe and loving homes for abandoned, abused and wild horses that have nowhere else to go.
Wild Heart Sanctuary in Park City is a holistic wild horse refuge funded solely by donations, private visits and volunteer programs. The sanctuary is a haven for nine wild mustangs rescued from the Bureau of Land Management roundups. Take part in sound baths, sunset yoga sessions, Qi Gong, book signings, concerts and cacao ceremonies throughout summer and fall. One hundred percent of event profits go directly to the herd’s care.
“As winter approaches, we’ll be hosting fewer events due to snowy conditions, but we’re considering adding snowshoeing with the wild horses this year,” says Sonya Richins, the sanctuary’s founder and CEO. “During winter, we heavily rely on online support to care for the Wild Heart Herd.”
Liberty Sanctuary is a nonprofit equine refuge in Heber City that rescues equines from slaughter and supports legislation to protect and assist America’s most vulnerable equines. The volunteer-based organization provides comprehensive care, training and adoption programs and advocates through its support of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act (of SAFE Act) and the Veterans For Mustangs Act. Visits are available by donation and appointment, and anyone who loves helping animals can pursue volunteer opportunities.
Live the Lifestyle
Looking for a “neigh”borhood with room to roam? Consider these area properties with amenities designed for equestrian enthusiasts.
In Kamas, Wolf Creek Ranch is a private development set on 13,200 acres atop a high-alpine plateau. “You can ride from your house into the national forest, go camping, and then ride right back to your house,” says Matt Mullin of Mullin Real Estate, who represents Wolf Creek Ranch.
The ranch has 65 miles of private horseback riding trails and stables located at the Ranch Center, where owners are able to lease horses for summer lessons and trail rides. “Because there are so few people at the ranch, you get to work with the same horse all summer,” says Mullin.
“It’s all the education of owning a horse, but with none of the obligation.”
The ranch’s 80 lots are at least 160 acres and allow equestrian owners to build private barns and horse facilities.
Another Kamas property, High Star Ranch, offers residents access to horse boarding at its on-site stables and miles of trails for riding. The ranch provides paddocks, sheltered stalls, pastures, turn-out facilities and indoor and outdoor arenas. They’ll also haul your horse when you want to ride beyond the property’s 800 acres of rolling mountain terrain.
Red Ledges in Heber City also has an active equestrian center in partnership with the equestrian experts at KB Horses. Surrounded by majestic towering mountains, verdant meadows and sparkling streams, this scenic private community has some of the best views while explored on horseback. Private trail rides, riding lessons, wagon rides, horse leasing and horse boarding are available in this growing community.
Dwell amid dramatic Park City scenery at Promontory, a 7,200-acre development designed for families. The amenities are endless for outdoor adventurers, including equine enthusiasts. The world-class Equestrian Center features indoor and outdoor arenas, stables and a private club lounge for residents. Take a lesson, ride year-round in the arenas and explore miles of trails in summer and fall.
