1 Hour Bow River Ride

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour

Mobile ticket

Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest and most celebrated national park - and one worth getting out of the car and onto a trail for. Go back to a simpler time with a 1-hour horseback ride and experience the park at a relaxed pace. Led by your cowboy guide, saddle up and ride past natural sulphur springs along the gentle Bow River and get a feel for what it was like for pioneers first settling in this once-wild area.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

All riders must arrive 30 minutes prior to their ride time.

Guests participating in horseback riding will need to be 8 years or over and a maximum of 230lbs. Banff Trail Riders is committed to the health of our horses and the safety of our guests, which means that the minimum age and maximum weight requirements are strictly enforced. As part of the check-in process, guests may be required to confirm their current weight on a scale and provide proof of the child’s age. In the event that these requirements are not met, the booking will be forfeited without a refund.

Please note that children will not be paired with an adult – they must ride their own horse.

For our foreign visitors we require an understanding of basic English for our horseback rides, so that you can understand simple instructions from our guides.

Children aged 17 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For safety purposes helmets are mandatory to be worn by all riders.

Riders must wear long pants and sturdy closed toed shoes enclosed to the ankle - no open toe shoes or shoes with big heels.

Adults must sign a waiver for all activities, and a waiver must also be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any person under the age of 18 (documentation may be required to confirm the signatory’s authority).

Riders must be physically capable of controlling the horse during the ride without assistance and for the health and safety of all riders we regrettably cannot accommodate any disabilities or special needs riders. We recognize that disabled riding is a unique and respected skill set that we at the barns do not have the appropriate equipment or skills to safely execute.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Basic horseback riding instruction

Use of horse

Helmet (mandatory)

Lead and tail guides

Gratuities

Food and drink

Hotel pickup and drop-off

What To Expect

The 1 hour Bow River Ride takes you along the tranquil Bow River in Banff. Ride past the historical Cave and Basin site and take in the the beautiful surrounding mountain views.

Options

Bow River Ride

Reviews

4.27

367 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

256

Can you make
Dirk C,
Jun 27, 2025
- Viator
3.00
The tour was good, but not exactly outstanding. Pro • Cow girls were super nice and helpful Con • Leader bad. He has not managed to keep the group constantly moving, even keeping it running by itself. The excuse was that not everyone can ride well. But the reality is that he drove the horses shy through this concertina stop-and-go and drove me crazy as a participant. Wants to know how he drives in the rush hour car. Besides, what he was trying to say from the front was not understood at all, because he did not turn around sensibly. Although he can't help it, he doesn't have the right voice for it. Unfortunately, not suitable for the job. • A large number of the sections were so rough that I felt sorry for the horses. As a professional company, it is better to take care that one and the same paths that you use every day are prepared.
Beautiful Ride, Friendly and Happy Staff
Katelyn J,
Jun 22, 2025
- Viator
4.00
The one hour Bow River ride was absolutely beautiful! The views along the river were enjoyable and the tour guide was great. She told us many stories and local facts which was enjoyable for the extent of the ride. The only thing I wish is that we stopped the ride for a photo by the river - when I was in the Smokies our tour guide dismounted mid-ride for a photo opportunity. Would have been nice to get a shot by the beautiful blue water to remember! Instead, I had taken many photos myself while on.
Great place to go...
Anu,
Jun 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Great place to go horseback riding. It started on time and our guides, Tye and Elle were wonderful. They kept an eye on all the riders and helped whenever necessary.
It was an amazing...
Carliana H,
Jun 19, 2025
- Viator
5.00
It was an amazing experience. Well trained horses and all the staff was very helpful. The place was nice and organized.
Must do/ add to your vacation!
Cathi S,
Jun 18, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Super kind and knowledgeable staff. Made check in and getting safety gear a breeze. Really loved the information the guide shared with us during the ride- learned so much about the Bow River and the history of the area. Horses are so lovely, well cared for and the sights are breathtaking. Highly recommend!