1 Hour Bow River Ride
Overview
Available languages
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.
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.
All riders must be under 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 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. In the event that this requirement is not met, the booking will be forfeited without a refund.
Guests participating in horseback riding will need to be 8 years or over and children aged 17 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please note that children will not be paired with an adult – they must ride their own horse. Minimum age is strictly enforced and as part of the check-in process, guests may be required to provide proof of the child’s age. In the event that this requirement is not met, the booking will be forfeited without a refund.
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.
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
426 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amè está experiencia de principio a fin, gracias al staff y an Eli 🐎 que me acompañaron en este paseo inolvidable!
YeiraMarcela M,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Must do it experience in Banff. The staff was always taking care of all the participants and all the instructions were clear…. Definitely is an unforgettable ride.
Wonderful ride along an outstanding landscape...
ninah523,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First of all, the ranch is truly beautiful, and above all, it's beautifully situated. The tour itself was wonderful. Enjoying this magnificent landscape on horseback was the icing on the cake of my stay in Banff. The team is super friendly, and shared a lot about the surroundings and nature along the way with us. It was fun to escape the hustle and bustle of Banff this way. Thank you so much for this experience!
Great ride!
Kerry H,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The scenery is beautiful. Horses are well behaved and very well taken care of. The guides were very professional and shared a lot of information.
Great time
Paul F,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was wonderful the crew was very professional and the horses were very friendly. The views on the trail were spectacular.
Great family activity (teens even thought it was cool)
Kristin W,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We went in Oct, take layers! Very windy at the stables but was better once on the trial. Guides Zoey and Bailey were great! Very enjoyable and beautiful scenery.
Great experience!
R M,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Edie and our other guide Leyah (can’t remember her name for sure right now) were great! They made sure we knew what to do, and stopped everyone when someone’s saddle was a bit sideways to ensure the horse was protected as well as the rider. This ensured we stayed together and they taught us how to stop safely. Our horses were so great and sweet! Great views! Definitely worth it!
Super great time!
nancynG4453RB,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience Beautiful ride along the Bow river Guides had everything under control at all times and made it very informative along the way Horses had easy temperaments and very well cared for Highly recommend !
Beautiful scenery and horses
MEGAN H,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guides were friendly and helpful. Homer, my horse, was such a dude. Such an excellent experience
Worth it! Book now!
M2319WKemmah,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing and worth the booking. Our guides were phenomenal we were at the end of the pack so we got a slightly more personal guide. The horses were amazing and felt very safe. The views were incredible and the overall experience was just amazing. I would recommend to anyone visiting. I think it was worth the money. You're on the horse so a little over an hour total and you get to see so much in that time. For low to no experience riders 1 hour is the perfect amount of time.
Amazing Experience
Brandon S,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent horses, helpful and friendly staff, very easy to learn and follow directions from staff, incredible views
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