Horseback Rides in Banff: 8 That Use a Whole Day Well

1.Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 518 reviews · 1 hour · from $78Our pick

Ride a calm horse beside the Bow River and past Cave and Basin, where Banff National Park began. Your English-speaking guide gives basic instruction and shares local stories while lead and tail guides keep the group together. The one-hour outing suits beginners, but bring long pants, sturdy closed-toed shoes, and insect repellent.

“Our guide was very helpful and gave us lots of information about Banff and the horses. It was a beautiful ride. My daughter and I really enjoyed ourselves.”

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2.Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 315 reviews · 1 hour · from $83

Ride a calm, well-trained horse through Banff’s wooded trails and across the Spray River. Your English-speaking guides provide basic instruction, lead and tail the group, and share local facts near Bow Falls and the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. The ride suits beginners aged 8 and older, with a 230-pound weight limit.

“Literally the best time of my life. Everyone working there was super nice and provided us with lots of information during the tour. The horses were super gentle and happy. I will be back.”

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3.Family Friendly Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 237 reviews · 40 min · from $39Best value

Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables for a 40-minute horse-drawn sleigh ride through mountain meadows. You’ll hear local stories, watch for elk and deer, and take in Rundle and Cascade mountains from under a wool blanket. Guides such as Grace, Brooklyn, Emily, and Nat have been praised for their warm, informative approach. Finish with a hot drink by the fire when weather allows.

“The guides are very friendly and excellent with kids. They were very informative. Overall an absolutely wonderful experience.”

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4.2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 145 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $160

Ride the Sundance Loop with lead and tail guides through Banff National Park, along the Bow River, past Cave and Basin, and toward Sulphur Mountain. This gentle, walk-only trip suits beginners and children eight and older. Expect a maximum of 12 riders, mandatory helmets, basic instruction, and roughly two hours in the saddle.

“An amazing experience and would highly recommend to anyone who loves the outdoors m, great views, and connecting with nature! Our guides were lovely and the horses were well trained and eased any anxiety we had about the ride. Will definitely be back!”

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5.Banff National Park: 2-Hour Sundance Loop Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 128 reviews · 2 hours · from $152

Ride from Warner Stables through Banff National Park, past the Cave and Basin area and along the Bow River, before climbing toward Windy Knoll on Sulphur Mountain. English-speaking guides such as Sophie, Iona, and Hannah help beginners handle calm horses, while lead and tail guides keep the group together. Expect forest, marsh, mountain views, and a steady walking pace.

“It was great!! My daughter’s horse, Herb, had a mind to go off-trail, and my daughter was also having a terrible allergic reaction (unexpected to us) and the guides were so helpful and calming for her. It was beautiful and fun!”

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6.2-Day Sundance Overnight Backcountry Lodge Trip by Horseback

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $998

Ride ten miles through Banff National Park with a guide, stopping for a cowboy-style riverside lunch before reaching Sundance Lodge. Enjoy dinner, breakfast, a soft bed, and a slow morning in the forest. Guides including Courtney, Maia, and Mark lead small groups of up to 12. You need basic riding ability, English, and a willingness to unplug.

“Amazing experience from beginning until the end… We have the best tour guides Courtney, Maia, Mark along with the best cook! The accommodation in the forest was divine. Could not have asked for a better trip.”

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7.4 Hour Sulphur Mountain Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $253Top rated

Ride four hours from Banff with lead and tail guides, crossing the Spray and Bow rivers, passing Mount Rundle, Bow Falls, and the Banff Springs golf course. You must be at least 8, under 230 pounds, able to control your horse, and comfortable with basic English instructions. Amber is one guide praised for her friendly approach.

“Ride was primarily among trees, with not much else to look at. Guide was quite personable. Trail was pretty rutted from exceptionally high summer rains.”

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8.4-Hour Sulphur Mountain Intermediate Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 4 hours · from $241

Ride from Banff Springs Corrals along Spray River, Mount Rundle, Bow Falls, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. You will cross two rivers, pause for a small snack, and ride with lead and tail guides. This is an intermediate outing for riders who can control a horse and speak fluent English.

“This was such an awesome trail ride. The ladies are lovely and really look after you. The horses are so good and really sure footed you can relax and enjoy the view. Loved the river crossings.”

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