Worth it? YES for those who want to get down among the hoodoos WITHOUT hiking the climb, or who love the historic horseback tradition. The play: book a guided Canyon Trail Rides trip ahead in season; choose a shorter amphitheater ride or a longer Peekaboo-corridor ride by fitness/comfort.
Who it’s NOT for: Winter visitors — rides are SEASONAL (roughly April–Oct 31); none run in the cold months. Anyone outside the operator's age/weight limits or uneasy on horseback — guided rides have real restrictions. Hikers who dislike sharing trails with stock — and, conversely, those who want to move at their own pace. Bargain-seekers — a guided ride costs well more than the free hike into the same terrain.
Skip it if: You'd rather hike at your own pace, you're visiting in winter, or you're on a tight budget — the Queen's–Navajo loop covers similar terrain on foot for the price of entry.
Time needed: ~2 hours for a shorter amphitheater ride; ~half a day for a longer Peekaboo-corridor ride. (research: NPS horseback/stock use)
Best time: Late spring through October (the operating season); mornings are cooler and calmer. Not available in winter. Book ahead in peak summer.
Cost: $$-$$$Booking: YES — guided rides are booked separately with the concessioner (Canyon Trail Rides) and fill in summer; age/weight limits apply. Confirm current operator, season (roughly April–Oct 31), and rules before your dates.
book a guided Canyon Trail Rides trip ahead in season; choose a shorter amphitheater ride or a longer Peekaboo-corridor ride by fitness/comfort.
Who is Horseback & Mule Rides for?
Horseback & Mule Rides is for hoodoo hiking couple, easy viewpoints multigen, and first timer rim and short hikes.
Who is Horseback & Mule Rides not for?
Horseback & Mule Rides is not for Winter visitors — rides are SEASONAL (roughly April–Oct 31); none run in the cold months. Anyone outside the operator's age/weight limits or uneasy on horseback — guided rides have real restrictions. Hikers who dislike sharing trails with stock — and, conversely, those who want to move at their own pace. Bargain-seekers — a guided ride costs well more than the free hike into the same terrain.
When is the best time to visit Horseback & Mule Rides?
Late spring through October (the operating season); mornings are cooler and calmer. Not available in winter.
How expensive is Horseback & Mule Rides?
Horseback & Mule Rides is in the $$-$$$ range. Meravella shows prices as bands and never publishes exact figures it hasn't verified.
Basis research · last verified Mon Aug 10 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time). Prices are shown as bands; confirm live before you go. We never rank by commission.
