
easy
1 hour
Suitable for most people who can mount a horse and sit for 60 minutes; minimal hiking required.
A guided, one-hour horseback ride led by Navajo wranglers delivers you to the rim of Horseshoe Bend for big-sky views and cultural storytelling. Short, scenic, and accessible—this is a hands-on way to experience the Colorado River’s most famous meander with local insight.
The sound arrives first: soft hoofbeats on compacted Navajo sand, the scrape of leather, a guide’s steady voice folding into the wide desert. You move as the land moves—slow, sure, measured—until the rim opens and the Colorado River reveals itself, a green ribbon cut deep into rust-colored stone. On a clear day the bend grabs light like a magnet; on a wind-churned afternoon the cliffs seem to challenge you to stand still and watch.

Plan to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure to get briefed and mounted without rush.
Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and a windproof layer make the hour comfortable; temperatures swing quickly on the rim.
Bring a refillable 24–32 oz water bottle and stow small items in a zipped pocket to avoid losing them while mounted.
Listen to guides, stay on the designated route, and follow local customs—this ride supports Navajo families and cultural stewardship.
The Navajo Nation is a sovereign people with long connections to this land; families like that of Manson Yazzie have grazed livestock here for generations.
Riders are asked to stay on established routes and pack out all waste; fees paid help support Navajo Nation park management and local communities.
Protects feet while mounting, dismounting, and riding on sandy, uneven terrain.
Sun protection is critical on exposed desert ridgelines.
summer specific
Stay hydrated—guides provide water but bring your own to top up between stops.
summer specific
Keeps you comfortable against gusts on the rim, especially in cooler months.
spring specific