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Last Update: 06 Aug 2010

Riding Holidays | Utah

Utah is one of the ‘Four Corners’ States together with Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. It is a remote State in the midst of the American West and is a region of outstanding natural beauty. Particular highlights include the impressive geological sculptures of Rainbow Bridge on the edge of Lake Powell and the high mesas in Monument Valley on the Arizona border. Not to mention the colourful landscape of eroded towers and stacks in Bryce Canyon National Park, the great Salt Lake flats and Dinosaur National Monument!

Like many western States in the USA Utah has a rich history of horses, from the riding and pack horses used on pioneering trails to early settlers mounts on sheep ranches. Navajo tribes also used horses for transport. Nowadays horse riding is extremely popular as a recreational sport in Utah. There are many Dude and Resort style ranches offering western riding vacations in Utah. Working ranch holidays are also possible and there are a few English style riding centres providing tuition in dressage and jumping.

We are always looking for new riding destinations and regularly update the information on this site. If you have information about horse riding or trail rides in Utah please do contact us.

Did you know there are around 4000 wild horses in Utah? Many are the descendents of horses brought to the area during early settlement times. There are also many burros (small donkeys) from the old pack animal trains. Living on the Needle Mountain range in south west Utah is a herd of wild horses descended from the original Spanish Barbs. Trips to see wild horse herds are popular tourist activities.

Combining a week at a Utah ranch with a second week spent sightseeing makes a lovely holiday. It is worth spending a day or two in Salt Lake City and a few days visiting the Bryce Canyon area. There is plenty for non riding friends to do too on a Utah holiday. Many of the ranches have non riding activities such as fishing, hiking or jeep tours and some offer packages to visit nearby attractions. Utah also has great mountain biking areas and winter ski resorts.

Bear in mind that due to its geographical position Utah has a generally high altitude arid climate and it can get very hot in mid summer. High factor sun cream is a must. Winters are cold with high snowfall. Getting to Utah is easy with many flights to Salt Lake City.