A Scenic Horseback Riding Adventure through the San Juan National Forest
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Pagosa Springs, a little town in Southwestern Colorado, is known for its’ beautiful scenery, relaxing hot springs, and abundance of adventure/nature related recreation activities. I planned a vacation here recently for a birthday trip and really enjoyed exploring the San Juan National Forest. Aside from the most popular activities like hiking and mountain biking, taking a guided horseback riding adventure is another fun way to explore this massive, but underrated forest.
For those looking for a new way to explore the outdoors, a peaceful guided horseback ride is the way to go. It’s much different than exploring an area via hiking or biking, yet still fun. I have not been riding since I was a kid, so it was an exciting experience. It’s fun to do something new every once and while to change things up. Mike and I usually always hike or bike, so we figured a birthday vacation was a great time to experience something new. It was a bit scary at times due to the steep drop offs, but the scenery really was stunning.
Diamond Hitch Stables: a perfect choice for beginners
There are several companies that offer rides in the area, however, I recommend Diamond Hitch Stables for beginners. This wonderful company features excellent guides who know how to work with newbies, in addition to well trained horses that are great for those who are nervous on their first time out. I was a bit nervous as I have not been riding in years. The staff made me feel more secure and even gave me a horse that was great with first timers. If you are new, your guide will be able to explain everything about riding.
You will get to mark on your release if you are a newbie or an experienced rider, so you should feel much more comfortable if it is your first time. For beginners, horseback riding can be a really scary experience (especially when taking a trail ride in a mountainous area), so having an experienced, helpful, & friendly guide alongside really does make all the difference. Our guide did make me feel more comfortable that the horses knew what they were doing.
Meet the horses!
Our excellent guide gave out great instructions for beginners. He also had no problem helping anyone guide the horse, if needed. He was very personable and we had as much fun talking to him as we did riding and enjoying the nature scenery. We got to meet the horses before our ride which was pretty cool.
One of our horses…known as “Big John”
The gorgeous San Juan National Forest
The views are quite breathtaking as you travel through the beautiful San Juan wilderness. Aside from enjoying beautiful views of the San Juan and Weminuche mountains, you may also come across some area wildlife. Deer, elk, and black bear frequently make appearances according to our guide.
Our guide shared some stories about a resident bear who shows up on a regular basis. While I am usually scared of seeing of seeing a bear while hiking, I wouldn’t mind seeing one with an experienced guide on my side who knows what to do. It was a bit too hot on our visit so the bear was probably taking shade somewhere. Bighorn sheep, cougars, and turkeys occasionally cross the path.
On the bright side, we did come across 2 deer, just off the trail. Unfortunately, taking pics while riding is not easy. If you look closely, you can see deer in the distance in the photo below.
Tour options
There are several trail rides to choose amongst, from a quick half hour journey to a 2 hour adventure. An hour long ride and dinner is also available. I recommend the 1.5 hour ride, which was the perfect amount of time to both enjoy the scenery and get lost in nature for a bit. As a new rider, I felt this was the perfect amount of time to explore without getting frustrated.
Our ride took us on a scenic & peaceful adventure through Martinez Canyon. It was wonderful to be in such a quiet, natural environment with no traffic, business, or crowds – just the picturesque views of the forest and the occasional wildlife sighting. The setting was so serene, with little noise anywhere.
If visiting during the colorful fall season, amazing yellow, orange, and red hues of autumn will envelop the forest. Leaf peeping in this region is pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, our late September ride was just a few weeks off and we only caught a small glimpse of the colors to come. We did enjoy some lovely mountain vistas and views of the open countryside.
One of the best things to do in Pagosa
Taking a horseback ride through this quiet forest is a memorable experience, and I’d say a much needed break from today’s hectic society. All too often we forget the natural beauty that surrounds us as we are too wrapped up in our daily routines. I recommend turning off the technology for a while and making a reservation for this tour or optioning for a hiking or biking adventure.
Instead of simply strolling the shops and restaurants downtown, be sure to plan some time to take advantage of the 100’s of miles of natural beauty which surround this small Western city.
Soak in natural mineral springs after your ride!
Although riding is relaxing, you are still going to get in a workout! Expect your lower body to be a bit sore if this is your first time out. This is where a trip to the incredible hot springs comes in handy. This town claims fame to the world’s deepest hot springs; this is actually the main reason we planned a trip here.
A relaxing soak later in the evening after your ride will help to soothe your aching muscles and further enhance your relaxing vacation. They have over 10 pools available, all of varying temps, each with naturally occuring minerals known to enhance health. Whether or not the minerals actually cure any ailments like the ancients believe, I have to say soaking in a 100+ degree pool after a full day of exercise sure was relaxing. You can read more about my experience at the Springs and other attractions in the city.
Address & Pricing Info
Location: 2404 Piedra Rd. in Pagosa Springs
Call (520) 861-7669 for reservations
Prices are surprisingly affordable. Half hour rides are $35, 1 hour $40, 1.5 hours $60, and 2 hour rides $75. Advance reservations required. Pricing current as of 2025. Check the website for further details and updates. Reservations can be made via email at: [email protected].
