Horseback Riding

Guided trail rides are available in the park.

Robert Houston

Guided Trail Rides

If you want to see Zion Canyon from a different perspective, check it out from the back of a horse! Canyon Trail Rides, the park’s concessioner, offers 1-hour and 3-hour guided horse and mule rides along the Virgin River and Sandbench Trail.

Guided trail rides typically begin mid-March and run through October 31st, depending on weather.

To schedule a guided ride or for more information, visit the Canyon Trail Rides website, Zion Horseback Riding | Zion Canyon Trail Rides (canyonrides.com) or call directly. If you are booking within 7 days of your ride, call 435-772-3810. For general information, call 435-679-8665.

 

Horseback riding in Zion National Park.

Robert Houston

Stock Use

Horses traditionally have been used to explore Zion National Park. Stock animals that are allowed in Zion include horses, mules, and burros. Animals that are not allowed include but are not limited to llamas, dogs, goats, and camels.

Overnight trips

The only overnight stock camp in Zion is Hop Valley Site A and your stay is limited to one night. A Wilderness permit is required. Stock must be hobbled or tethered to reduce damage to vegetation. To reduce the spread of noxious and exotic weeds, stock must be fed certified weed-free hay two days prior to the trip.

Day trips

Permits are not required for day trips. However, stock are prohibited during spring thaws, unusually wet periods, or times when their use would cause trail damage. Maximum group size is six animals.

Stock trails

Where trails are present, stock animals must remain on trails. Free trailing or loose herding is not allowed. Maintain a slow walk when passing hikers. When standing, stock must be kept at least 100 feet from drainages. The Wilderness Map shows which trails are open to pack animal use. The following trails are open to horse or pack animal use:

• La Verkin Creek Trail (west of Beartrap Canyon)
• Hop Valley Trail
• Connector Trail
• Northgate Peaks Trail
• Wildcat Canyon Trail
• West Rim Trail (north of Cabin Spring)
• Sawmill Spring Trail
• Telephone Canyon Trail
• East Mesa Trail (east of the Observation Point Trail junction)
• East Rim Trail (south of Stave Spring)
• Deer Trap Mountain Trail
• Cable Mountain Trail
• Chinle Trail
• Sandbench Trail (open to public use from November 1 to March I only)

Off-trail use of horses or pack animals is permitted only in:

• Lower Coalpits Wash (from the trailhead to the junction with Scoggins Wash)
• Scoggins Wash
• Huber Wash