10 All-Inclusive Horseback Riding Vacations for Your Next Wilderness Getaway

More and more couples are trading in beach resort getaways for unique, adventurous honeymoons and vacations off the beaten path. For a truly memorable experience, horseback riding vacations are unlike any other. Sharing stunning, remote locations from the saddle and spending quiet nights in the wilderness with your partner will foster a new appreciation for nature. 

For an all-inclusive horseback riding vacation that doesn’t skimp on the comfort, here are our favorite 10 all-inclusive horseback riding vacations.

Vista Verde Ranch, Colorado

In the heart of the Elk River Valley and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, Vista Verde Ranch is the ultimate romantic setting for your all-inclusive horseback riding vacation in Colorado. 

Wranglers pair you with a horse at the start of the week. After some basic drills to assess your ability, you’ll have a short “practice” trail ride. After that, trail rides take place twice daily, with some day-long rides throughout the week. The year-round riding program accommodates new riders, and experienced riders are welcome to join their cattle round-up in late August.

The wooden Honeymoon Dome cabin may look plain on the outside, but inside you’ll find plush sofas, a beautiful bathroom with marble countertops, and a cozy wood-burning furnace. A private outdoor hot tub sits on the deck so you can watch the sunrise or soak under the stars. 

Gourmet meals are also part of the package, served family-style in the dining room. Cookouts are popular when the weather is nice. Wine pairings complete the gourmet experience, and couples who want a day off from riding can sign up for a cooking class or wine tasting. Or, relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the ranch.

Mayan Dude Ranch, Texas

For a horseback riding vacation that’s close to home, Mayan Dude Ranch is just outside of San Antonio, Texas. Each day kicks off with a trail ride to a hearty outdoor breakfast. Afterwards, guests can either continue with the ride, exploring the ranch’s 348 acres, or head back to the main lodge and enjoy amenities like the pool, sports equipment, and nearby golf course. There is also an afternoon trail ride if you’d rather skip breakfast and sleep in. 

A river runs through the ranch where anglers can cast a line. The grounds are quiet and peaceful, a perfect place for a leisurely afternoon walk or curling up in the grass with a book. Mayan is a family-oriented ranch and there are lots of activities for the kids to enjoy like cowboy games and dino walks.  

Lodging is plain but cozy. Cottages with up to 3 rooms are available. All-inclusive horseback riding vacations here cover two trail rides per day and all meals, which are served up family style and feature Southern comfort food like ribs and biscuits plus a Mexican menu on theme nights. The grounds come alive with parties almost every night of the week including barn dances, live music, and bonfires.  

Rancho Cortez, Texas

Also outside of San Antonio, Rancho Cortez is an all-inclusive dude ranch that offers weekly horseback riding vacation packages and overnight stays as well as day visits and private riding lessons. They also run a two-week or 60-day all-inclusive wellness camp where guests can participate in ranch chores and instructor-led fitness classes. 

Meals are served in the main dining room according to a set schedule. Their cozy cabins feature large porches and classic cowboy finishings. There are two pools–one indoor and one outdoor– plus a hot tub for chilly nights. 

With comfortable accommodations, an onsite spa, and acres upon acres of pristine Texas countryside, a horseback riding vacation to Rancho Cortez is a way to recharge your mind and body. 

Lost Valley Ranch, Colorado

For another all-inclusive getaway in Colorado, Lost Valley Ranch is tucked between Colorado Springs and Denver. Its location in the Pike National Forest provides endless trails for a horseback riding vacation. Guided trail rides are scheduled twice daily and included in the cost of your stay, along with 3 hearty meals per day and full use of the ranch’s amenities. You could also try your hand at trapshooting and archery, go out for a hike, soak in a hot tub, or play in the sports court. There are sometimes bonfires or square dances in the evening. 

One-, two-, and three-bedroom cabins are spread throughout the property. They each offer the privacy and seclusion of the forest and come with large porches and comfortable lounge swings. Living rooms have a rustic fireplace and wood is restocked daily. Staff can even come to your cabin and build a fire for you at your request. 

Trail rides often end with breakfast or lunch being served al fresco from the top of a mountain while dinners usually take place in the dining room of the main lodge. Lost Valley Ranch is open during spring, summer and fall only, and a 2-night minimum stay is required. 

Spotted Horse Ranch, Wyoming

Spotted Horse Ranch is the perfect place for an all-inclusive horseback riding vacation in Wyoming. All-inclusive packages can be booked for 6- or 7-night stays; they include your cabin and all meals, plus all ranch activities like horseback riding, fishing, rafting, and tickets to the rodeo, which takes place every Wednesday evening in Jackson Hole. 

Classic log structures give off that Old West vibe. Cabins are quaint and the dining room in the main lodge comes with a massive fireplace and provides a beautiful view of the river below. Meals are homecooked and served up in family style. 

Guided trail rides take place once per day in the morning. After that, horses are released for the day to graze in the pasture, leaving you to give the ranch’s other activities a try or simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. 

Colorado Trails Ranch, Colorado

Colorado Trails Ranch sits on an astonishing 1000 acres and offers all-inclusive horseback riding vacation packages throughout the summer, plus an adults-only week at Labor Day for a 10% discount. 

Along with horseback riding you’ll have access to streams for fly-fishing, rodeos, breathtaking hiking trails into the San Juan mountain ranges, dancing, shooting, archery, and rafting. Amenities include a pool and hot tub, a fitness room, a yoga center, and a spa. 

The 1-bedroom cabin comes with a king-size bed, a cozy living room, and a large wrap-around porch. The dining hall is a large longhouse-style cabin where meals are served buffet or family-style. Once per week, parents can enjoy an adults-only plated dinner while the kiddos have dinner around a campfire, and cookouts are held often when the weather is nice.    

Chilko Experience, Canada

In northern British Columbia tucked into the Coastal Mountain ranges sits a luxury wilderness experience unlike any other. Spend your all-inclusive horseback riding vacation exploring the rugged beauty of the Chilcotin Range from the saddle, then retire to the resort for gourmet meals and luxurious amenities. 

Rates at The Chilko Experience are inclusive of homemade meals and snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and all guided activities including horseback riding, wildlife viewing, paddlesports, archery, and ATV riding. There are also guided meditation and yoga sessions taking place daily in one of the ground’s many peaceful corners, and amenities that include a wood-fired hot tub, gym, and fire circle. 

Meals are rustic yet upscale and made with fresh, locally sourced produce. The bar serves up handmade cocktails, local craft beer, and wines straight from the Okanagan Valley. Wood cabins with massive windows reveal the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you, and you can spend the morning taking it all in from your private porch. 

Australian Horse Adventures, Australia

For an all-inclusive horseback riding vacation in Australia, let Australian Horse Adventures take care of all the details. This family-owned stable is home to 10 horses, all experienced and with unique personalities of their own. Staff will pair you with a horse that has a temperament to match your ability. Accommodation is a mix of cozy bed & breakfasts and hotels while on the tour. All meals are planned in advance. 

Three tours are offered in Tasmania, plus a 4-night/5-day ride through the Barossa wine valley in South Australia. The Tassie Tiger Trail takes you into the fields, valleys, and forests of Tasmania for 5 days, while the 5-day Stanley Adventure Tour explores the northwestern portion of the island. For guests who want to improve their horsemanship skills, a 4-day trail and education tour offers lessons and plenty of opportunities to practice your riding. 

Tuul Riverside Lodge, Mongolia

Drive about an hour east of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s busy capital city, and come to a quiet, traditional camp, Tuul Riverside Lodge. Quiet and serene, the camp is surrounded by green and yellow hills with grassy pastures as far as the eye can see. Lodging is a traditional Mongolian yurt, and meals include plenty of traditional Mongolian fare.

Guided horseback rides to local villages and farms are included with a 4-night minimum stay. You’ll learn how to make traditional Mongolian meals, learn the art of Mongolian archery, play games and learn songs around a roaring campfire before settling in for a quiet night in the great outdoors. There are also hiking trails, boating and fishing, and Mongolian wrestling lessons available. 

Facilities are available during limited time frames as the camp runs on a generator. Horsemanship and riding are ingrained in Mongolian culture, so if you’re looking for the ultimate horseback riding vacation, this is it. 

Equitours, Global

With over 120 riding trips to choose from, Equitours provide horseback riding vacations around the world for riders of all skills and abilities. Choose from beach rides, mountain riding, horseback African safaris, cattle drives, camping trips, and more. Trips vary from overnight to multiple nights. 

Rest and recharge in nature, taking in the gorgeous scenery from horseback. Get a good night’s sleep under the stars or in a luxury cabin. Along the way, you’ll develop your horsemanship skills and learn to appreciate the meditative nature of horseback riding. Book a private guided tour to reconnect with your partner or make new friends during a group trip. 

Equitours trips include the cost of the horse and tack plus meals and accommodations, which vary depending on the type of tour you take. 

Now that you’ve read all about our picks for 10 all-inclusive horseback riding vacations in the U.S. and abroad, which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!