1 Hour Bow River Ride Banff: Experience Canada's Vintage National Park on Horseback

Saddle up for a 1-hour horseback ride along the Bow River in Banff National Park. Experience the beauty of Canada’s oldest national park and immerse yourself in its rich history.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Banff Trail Riders - Stables - The 1 hour Bow River Ride takes you along the tranquil Bow River in Banff. Ride past the historical Cave and Basin site and take in the the beautiful surrounding mountain views.
What's Included
  • Basic horseback riding instruction
  • Use of horse
  • Helmet (mandatory)
  • Lead and tail guides
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drink
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Banff National Park, the oldest and most appreciated national park in Canada, invites you to step out of your vehicle and embark on a trail. Partake in a 1-hour horseback adventure, embracing the leisurely pace of the park. Under the guidance of your cowboy companion, commence your journey past natural sulphur springs and by the calm Bow River, acquainting yourself with the surroundings that settlers first encountered in this once untamed area.

  • All riders must arrive 30 minutes prior to their ride time.
  • Guests participating in horseback riding will need to be 8 years or over and a maximum of 230lbs. Banff Trail Riders is committed to the health of our horses and the safety of our guests, which means that the minimum age and maximum weight requirements are strictly enforced. As part of the check-in process, guests may be required to confirm their current weight on a scale and provide proof of the child’s age. In the event that these requirements are not met, the booking will be forfeited without a refund.
  • Please note that children will not be paired with an adult – they must ride their own horse.
  • For our foreign visitors we require an understanding of basic English for our horseback rides, so that you can understand simple instructions from our guides.
  • Children aged 17 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • For safety purposes helmets are mandatory to be worn by all riders.
  • Riders must wear long pants and sturdy closed toed shoes enclosed to the ankle - no open toe shoes or shoes with big heels.
  • Adults must sign a waiver for all activities, and a waiver must also be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any person under the age of 18 (documentation may be required to confirm the signatory’s authority).
  • Riders must be physically capable of controlling the horse during the ride without assistance and for the health and safety of all riders we regrettably cannot accommodate any disabilities or special needs riders. We recognize that disabled riding is a unique and respected skill set that we at the barns do not have the appropriate equipment or skills to safely execute.
Location
Banff Trail Riders - Stables
Sundance Road
The meeting point for the Bow River Ride is at Banff Trail Riders Stables, the big red stables located on Sundance Road in Banff. **ALL GUESTS MUST CHECK IN 30 MIN PRIOR TO THEIR RIDE START TIME. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ACCOMMODATED**
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(317 Ratings)
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Sam4994
Jul 24, 2024
Amazing ride and great staff - Was an awesome experience!!!highkey recommend. Staff is awesome and the views were great! This was affordable and fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goplaces50724996480
Jul 22, 2024
A great riding experience - The ride was lovely, horses well behaved and a scenic ride through a forest and along Bow River. All staff were very friendly and experienced
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S4775vemichaels
Jul 16, 2024
Relaxing trail ride - Had a great time on the Bow River Ride. At the beginning they give you clear instructions on how to ride and steer your horse which is helpful for inexperienced riders like myself. We had a guide at the front and back, the guide at the front was talking about the wildlife and local legends although I could barely here him which didn't bother me much as I was so much just enjoying the stroll along the trail whilst being surrounded by amazing scenery. When we got back the guides were very willing photographers taking pictures of riders on our horses which was great. My only regret is that I didn't take the 2hr ride as the 1hr was over so quickly but I would highly recommend these guys especially if you don't have any experience...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scott_h
Jul 14, 2024
Happiest on a horse - My daughter has dreamed of riding a horse in the mountains of Canada for years. Thank you for making this such a positive memory for her.
Review provided by Viator
Nicholas_m
Jul 10, 2024
Relaxing and fun - The guides were great, but keep in mind the start time listed is not the time you need to be there. It's in the description but can be easy to miss if you are busy during your trip. Plan to get there 30 minutes early or they will not let you go. I would recommend that the ranch change the actual time required to be there actually be 30 minutes early like most other bookings I did. Even those places like white water rafting had a start time that included signing waivers and instructions. Aside from that the ride was great and the horses were great!
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_e
Jul 18, 2024
Great ride, Great views - The ride was beautiful and peaceful. The horses were sweet and it’s an easy ride. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Jaimirussell
Jul 24, 2024
Very dusty ride... - I was not a fan of this tour. It was done on a VERY dusty dirt trail so you inhaled dust the whole time. The guides did not allow us to stop once to take photos which was disappointing. The guides were rude at times which was a bummer. And the guides asked everyone else if they wanted their photo on their horse before getting off except for me, LOL. All in all, I would not recommend this tour and I would not return.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Almas_k
Jul 18, 2024
Took the money without giving us their rides. - Don’t pick up calls and also responds late to text messages. Tried to inform them we will be late few minutes as kid is is sick but they responded with No sympathy and didn’t give us their Horse riding trip and charged us $398.70.I have never experienced such customer service.Beware
Review provided by Viator
Wander743487
Jul 16, 2024
Don’t arrive even a little late! - Don’t book this ride ahead!! Banff traffic is bad. Arrived 15 min late. They cancelled us, no refund. This outfit WAY too commercial. Told us there were 12 ! On the ride when we arrived. Unless you like pony rides and eating dust don’t do it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cibele
Jul 13, 2024
Bad service - We bought the tour at their shop in downtown Banff and they taught us the wrong way to get to the place. I don't know if for evil or incompetence. I think that evil since the attendants were all local. I missed the tour for that, since if you do not check in 30min. before do not take the tour and do not return your money. I do not recommend. High risk. I didn't see the reviews here. You have a lot of bad notes, if you had seen it you ⁇ 't have. Next time I'll choose more carefully. If you choose, be careful with the information you receive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 9 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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