Canada · HORSES
The 15 best horse riding you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Join Glacier Raft Company in Golden for a guided Kicking Horse River trip, from family-friendly Class I rapids to exciting Class III and IV water. Guides such as Austin, Ryan, Steffi, and Carlos lead small groups, with gear, shuttle service, and lunch on selected tours included.
“What an amazing experience. Big rapids bigger fun. Mustache Mike is an awesome guide. Great for everyone”
Ride through Stanley Park in a horse-drawn carriage for about an hour. Your guide covers park history and local sights, with stops at the totem poles and Girl in a Wetsuit statue. Expect views of the Seawall, Coal Harbour, North Vancouver, and the Lions Gate Bridge.
“Wonderful, informative tour of Stanley Park. Our guide provided interesting facts not only of Stanley Park and interesting things in the park, but also about the horses that led our tour. We had a wonderful time.”
Meet your horse at Banff Trail Riders’ red stables, learn basic Western riding, then follow lead and tail guides beside the Bow River and Cave and Basin Hot Springs. Sarah, Jade, and other guides are praised for clear instruction and local stories. Bring long pants, sturdy shoes, and insect repellent.
“Jade and Steph were fantastic guides! The one hour Bow River ride was a great experience for our family of five.”
Ride a gentle, well-trained horse through wooded trails near Banff Springs, with two Spray River crossings, Bow Falls views, and guides such as Samantha, Summer, Ki, and Liv sharing local stories. Basic instruction, helmets, and lead and tail guides make this a friendly first ride.
“We had a brilliant time on the hour spray ride! The tour guides were great fun and we felt really safe at all times. The ride is so scenic! Would highly recommend!”
Join Hydra River Guides for a four-hour, 20 km rafting trip on the Kicking Horse River. You begin on calm Class I water, learn paddling commands, then tackle Class IV rapids. Guides such as Jaro, Kyle, Bill, and Fabian are known for safety, humor, and local insight.
“What an incredible adventure! The scenery is gorgeous, the rapids are spectacular, but the staff really sets Hydra River Guides apart. The in-house staff was so helpful and intentional, and the guides were amazing. Cam, the guide on our raft, was professional, friendly, and safety-focused while also making sure we all had a wonderful time. We would raft with Hydra again and again! Don't miss this!”
Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables for a 40-minute horse-drawn sleigh ride through mountain meadows, with views of Rundle and Cascade mountains. Guides such as Grace, Brooklyn, and Emily share local stories. Warm up afterward with hot chocolate or cider by the fire. In thin snow, the sleigh may become a wagon.
“Fabulous activity- they catered for all needs and made the best out of not perfect weather! We were offered contingency plans well in advanced and emailed and then phoned to check this was okay! Absolutely top service. Our guides were amazing and so great with our kids!”
Ride from Boundary Ranch into Kananaskis backcountry on a walking-pace trail suitable for beginners and experienced riders. Your guide leads a group of up to eight along forest, wetland, and ridge trails, with views across the valley and a stop near the teepees used in *The Revenant*. Bring sturdy shoes and a camera.
“Friendly staff, sweet horses and great views. Charlie was a great trail leader. Highly highly recommend!”
At Boundary Ranch, guides such as Jordan, Emily, and Emma lead beginners and children age six and up on calm horses through wooded Kananaskis trails. The one-hour Buffalo Loop stays at a walking pace, passes the buffalo paddock, and may offer glimpses of deer, elk, marmots, or squirrels.
“I loved watching my son and daughter in law have fun. It was a good birthday present will be back again.”
Ride the Sundance Loop from Banff Trail Riders with lead and tail guides, crossing Bow River trails toward Cave and Basin and Sulphur Mountain. Expect a gentle, walk-only outing for riders age 8 and up, with helmets, basic instruction, mountain scenery, and a maximum weight of 230 pounds.
“Best trail ride I have done. Absolutely perfect weather may have helped form that opinion.. I would recommend it.”
From Glacier Raft Company in Golden, you’ll ride a bus to the Kicking Horse River, learn the basics, then raft 12 km through class 2 to 4 rapids. Expect big splashes at Portage Shotgun, strong mountain scenery, experienced English-speaking guides, and a refreshment afterward.
“The crew was a blast, the river / landscape amazing and the ride bumpy and cool! Do it!”
Ride from Warner Stables along the Bow River, past Cave and Basin hot springs, through marsh and forest, then up Sulphur Mountain to Windy Knoll. Guides such as Sophie, Angela, and Nicole provide riding tips and local stories. Expect a calm walking pace, mountain views, and horses with distinct personalities.
“Fabulous friendly staff from start to finish. Really helpful and fun. Would highly recommend”
Ride privately through Beacon Hill Park, along the Salish Sea, past Mile Zero, and into James Bay. Your uniformed guide shares Victoria stories while your horse sets an easy pace. Carriages hold up to four, with blankets, a convertible roof, and lantern-lit evening rides.
“Great ride, Debbie our guide was really great---very informative and friendly. We saw many sites and learned so much. Clay, the horse, was very gentle.”
Meet Kootenay River Runners at 1:00 pm for a four-hour run through the upper and middle Kicking Horse River. Guides such as Ben lead you through class 3 and 4 rapids, with instruction, wetsuit, booties, and river gear included. You must be at least 12 and weigh 90 pounds or more.
“Our guide was so great very knowledgeable but made us all laugh.. It was exhilarating and fun and very very wet!!”
Take a private 30-minute carriage ride from Belleville Street through James Bay, Old Town, and past Carr House. Your uniformed guide shares Victoria’s colonial past, local characters, and building stories while a well-trained horse pulls the carriage. Blankets, a convertible roof, and lanterns add comfort.
“Our guide was amazing very knowledgeable new the area very well and our horse CLAY was amazing he listened very well”
Raft 14 km through Yoho National Park on the calm Upper Canyon, with forest views, light splashes, one class 2 to 3 rapid, an optional swim, and a riverside BBQ. Guides such as Stephie, Nico, Pete, and Diego are known for warm, lively instruction.
“Loved all of it! We opted for the”Family Float” because we really wanted to take in the scenery- it did not disappoint! The rafting was fun and had a little thrill to it but we could absorb all the beautiful landscape. Our guide was the best and provided great information and had a great sense of humor. He was warm and welcoming and we always felt safe. They even added a little hike up a waterfall. It was the perfect excursion!!!!”
Pick a mountain, a shoreline or a table.
