Horseback riding, inside the canyon
One of the very few commercial activities permitted on the canyon floor itself, run under a National Park Service concession rather than the usual authorization.
- One hour ride
- $60 per person
- Three hour ride
- $125 per person
- Weight limit
- 220 lb on both rides
- Season
- March through October
Two rides, and they are quite different
Both leave from the Emerald Pool trailhead parking area near Zion Lodge, and you are asked to arrive thirty minutes early.
| Ride | Price | Route | Minimum age | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One hour, Virgin River | $60 | About a mile along the Virgin River to the Court of the Patriarchs | 7 | 9:30am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, 3:30pm |
| Three hour, Sand Bench | $125 | The Sandbench Trail, climbing gradually about 500 feet | 10 | 9:00am, 1:30pm |
The one hour ride is a gentle introduction on flat ground beside the river and suits families with younger children. The three hour ride climbs out of the canyon bottom for a genuinely different view and is a long time in the saddle for anyone unused to it.
A scheduling quirk worth knowing
The Sandbench Trail is shared and split by season. Horses use it from March through October. Guided hiking groups are authorized on it only from November to February. If you were planning to walk it in summer with a guide, that is why you cannot.
The limits that rule people out
Stated plainly here because they are firm, and finding out at the trailhead ruins a morning.
220 lb weight limit
Applies to both rides. It is a welfare limit for the animals and it is not negotiable at check in.
Age 7, or 10
Seven for the one hour ride, ten for the three hour. Younger children cannot ride, including with a parent.
March to October only
No winter operation. If you are visiting between November and February this is off the table entirely.
Cancellations need twenty four hours notice for a refund, and booking fees are not refundable.
Run under a concession, not the usual permit
Almost every commercial activity inside Zion runs under the park’s Commercial Use Authorization programme. Horseback riding does not. It operates under a National Park Service concession contract, which is a different and more exclusive arrangement.
The practical consequence is that there is one operator, not a field to compare. Bryce-Zion Trail Rides is the authorized concessioner. You are choosing whether to ride, not who to ride with.
It is also why horseback is one of the few activities that happens on the canyon floor at all, while canyoneering and climbing cannot be guided anywhere in the park. Both rides, the departure times and the cancellation terms are on the operator profile, and the directory shows how the whole system fits together.
Common questions about Zion horseback riding
How much is horseback riding in Zion?
$60 for the one hour Virgin River ride and $125 for the three hour Sand Bench ride, per person.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes, 220 pounds on both rides. It is a firm welfare limit and is checked.
What is the minimum age?
Seven for the one hour ride and ten for the three hour ride. Younger children cannot ride.
When does it operate?
March through October. There is no winter operation.
Where do the rides leave from?
The Emerald Pool trailhead parking area near Zion Lodge, shuttle stop 5. Arrive thirty minutes before departure.
Can I choose between companies?
No. Horseback riding in Zion runs under a National Park Service concession contract rather than the usual authorization programme, so there is a single authorized operator.
Ride the canyon floor at walking pace
One of very few commercial activities permitted inside the canyon itself.
Also useful: the shuttle to stop 5, family friendly trips and when to come.
220 lb weight limit and age 7 or 10. Check before you book.
All guided trips