15 Horse Riding in the USA That Earn the Road Trip

1.Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,023 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $50Our pick

Board at Old South Carriage Company on Anson Street for a one-hour narrated ride through Charleston’s historic district. A certified Palmetto Guild guide, such as Wendy, Ro, or Carol, shares stories of mansions, churches, gardens, and the city’s Civil War era. The route is assigned by the city, so sights vary. Carriages hold up to 16 people.

“You would truly enjoy the experience, and everyone was so nice and professional. The tour guides are very friendly and informative. Great overall experience 😊”

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2.Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,678 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Settle into a covered horse-drawn carriage for a 40-minute evening ride through Charleston’s old walled city. A certified Palmetto Guild guide, such as Holly, Miles, or MacKenzie, tells spooky tales while horses like Brian, Wayne, and Aiken pull you past graveyards, churches, the Mills House, and the Provost Dungeon. It is wheelchair accessible and returns to 14 Anson Street.

“Very fun. Our guide Holly and Liam the horse were delightful and knowledgable. Holly had a sense of humor and grace under pressure.”

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3.2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,449 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Ride with a local guide in an open-air 4WD truck across Corolla’s beach and sand roads. You’ll learn how the horses reached the Outer Banks, search for family groups, visit the Wild Horse Conservation Area, and hear local stories from guides such as Edna, Paul, Ann, John, and Karla. Expect wind, cold weather, and a rough ride.

“It may take some time to find the horses. It gets very cold in November on the truck so dress warm….”

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4.Official NYC Horse Carriage Rides in Central Park since 1979 ™

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,365 reviews · 55 minutes (approx.)

Ride privately through Central Park for about 55 minutes with a driver-guide such as Josh, Leo, or Letty. You will pass Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, the Dakota, and other park landmarks, with photo stops, warm blankets in winter, and a chance to give the horse a treat.

“It was a very relaxing and beautiful experience. My partner definitely enjoyed it especially being her first time”

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5.Half-Day Thoroughbred Horse Farm Tour in Kentucky

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,924 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Spend about three and a half hours touring Lexington’s thoroughbred country in a 14-person van. Guides such as Tim, Vicky, Mark, Richard, and John explain breeding, racing, training, and aftercare, with farm visits and horse encounters available. Keeneland is included, though the exact stops depend on farm availability.

“Tim is an excellent tour guide. His knowledge of the industry and years of experience adds authenticity to the presentation. We enjoyed the van ride through the horse farm area. I have guests visiting in April..this tour will be at the top of our list to participate in.”

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6.Morning Horseback Ride with Breakfast from Las Vegas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,674 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $129

Leave the Strip at 7:15 am for a small-group ride near Moapa. Guides such as Hector, Gecko, and Caesar lead a relaxed, single-file trail suitable for beginners. After about 90 minutes in the saddle, enjoy pancakes, eggs, hash browns, meat, coffee, and juice, then meet the ranch goats and other animals.

“The staff was very friendly and helpful, but it was not a trail ride. It was a road ride through a gravel pit. We passed a couple of piles of rubbish and lots of bulldozer tracks with piles of waste rock everywhere. It looked like no-man's-land! The Nevada desert isn't very picturesque to start with, but this ride made the desert look like a garden. With very little work or imagination a nice trail through the surrounding hills could be developed that would make the ride and view much more enjoyable. It was also fairly boring. No galloping, no trotting, no uphill or downhill and when I dared to ride…”

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7.Red Rock Canyon Sunset Horseback Ride and Barbeque Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,305 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $199

Leave the Strip for a 90-minute beginner-friendly ride through Red Rock Canyon with calm horses and attentive wranglers such as Hayley, Kate, and Denise. After sunset, sit by the fire for steak, chicken, salmon, or vegetarian barbecue, followed by s’mores and cowboy entertainment. Hotel pickup is included from select Las Vegas hotels.

“My son and I had a blast riding the horses and taking in the scenery. Hayley was an excellent tour guide, extremely knowledgeable about the history of the ranch and the surrounding area. The dinner was better than any I had in Vegas on my entire trip.”

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8.Unique Horse Farm Tours with Insider Access to Private Farms

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,192 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend about three hours visiting three Lexington-area horse facilities by air-conditioned bus. Meet broodmares, foals, yearlings, and other thoroughbreds, feed some horses peppermints, and hear local stories from guides such as Sean Washington, Jeff, Dan, Jess, and Shaun. Morning and noon departures are available.

“It's a very hands on chance to interact with horses and lean a lot about the Kentucky horse industry. Our tour guide Dan did a super job.”

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9.Wild West Sunset Horseback Ride with Dinner from Las Vegas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,031 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $159

Leave the Strip for a five-hour Wild West outing at a working ranch outside Las Vegas. A wrangler such as Hector or Gecko pairs you with a calm horse for a slow, single-file ride past Joshua trees and mountain views. After sunset, enjoy steak, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, then try roping and relax by a campfire under the stars.

“Loved this entire experience. Denny, our friendly driver and cook, got us all safely and on time to the ranch near Longdale, about 45minutes from Vegas. Upon arrival everything went smoothly and we were on our way within 30 minutes. As a newbie I definitely felt very safe in the hands of our guide, who explained very clearly how to handle the horse and what to do in various situations. Our pace was perfect and the ride itself was about 75 minutes, ending about 10 minutes before sunset. Along the way our guide talked a bit about the history and wildlife. There were 2 guides—one at the front, and the…”

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10.Horseback Riding with Grand Teton Views in Jackson Hole

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 916 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

Ride from Heart Six Ranch near Moran into Bridger-Teton National Forest, with views toward the Tetons and Buffalo Valley. Gentle horses suit beginners, while guides such as Ava, Jeremiah, Jeremy, and Corey add stories and steady support. Choose a 90-minute, half-day, or dinner ride. Arrive early, dress for weather, and expect cowboy-time loading.

“We had such a great time! Beautiful views and the handlers were kind and very personable. 10/10 recommend!!”

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11.Beaufort’s #1 Horse & Carriage History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 913 reviews · from $35Best value

Spend about 50 to 55 minutes touring Beaufort by horse and carriage with a small group of up to 16 people. Your guide points out historic churches, Civil War sites, movie locations, and notable homes while sharing stories of the city. Guides have included Laura and Nicole, and horses such as D, Angus, and Amos.

“The hotties are beautiful and the guides are full of amazing knowledge and history!! We’ve gone three times and learned something new every time!!”

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12.West Maui Mountain Waterfall and Ocean Tour via Horseback

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 845 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $187

You’ll ride for about two hours with guides such as Kai, Cierra, Richard, or Cole, climbing through West Maui’s gullies before heading toward the coast. Expect steep dirt trails, wide mountain and ocean views, photo stops, and a petting zoo with sheep, pigs, rabbits, and mini horses. Beginners are welcome, but you must weigh 215 pounds or less.

“Perfect scenery and trail time Friendly staff A highlight of our trip to Maui As someone who owns horses , dress appropriately for riding, saw many people in the wrong attire”

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13.2-Hour Horseback Riding through Red Rock Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 838 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $149

Ride for two hours through Red Rock Canyon with Cowboy Trail Rides. Wranglers match you with a steady horse or mule, teach the basics, and guide you along rocky trails and ridge views. Hotel pickup is offered from select Las Vegas hotels. No riding experience is needed, but wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and sunscreen.

“It doesn’t have a weight limit just called before you go so you can give you a bigger horse if you need”

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14.Private Central Park Horse Carriage Ride with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 790 reviews · 40 minutes - 1 hour

Settle into a private horse carriage for 40 minutes to an hour with an English-speaking local driver. See Central Park landmarks such as Bethesda Fountain, Tavern on the Green, and the carousel, or choose a city ride past Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue, and the Christmas lights.

“Great ride around central park - guide very knowledgeable and informative 👍”

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15.Monument Valley: Horseback Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 715 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $74

Ride from D/D MTA Horse Tours through Monument Valley with a Navajo guide and a horse matched to your experience. The route can include Eagle Mesa, Sleeping Bear, Sitting Hen, Bear and Rabbit, and views of the Two Mittens. Guides such as Troy and Lewis have helped riders with basics, local stories, and safe trotting.

“We arrived late as there were works on the road and moreover we did not realize there was a time difference between Arizona and monument valley. They were so friendly and told us we could do the tour half an hour later, which was a good thing as we had the chance to see the sunset on monument valley. Thank you for that. We had a blast.”

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