Trail Rides

Trail Rides in Tahoe

Saddle up, partner! If you’d like to see Lake Tahoe without the casinos and noise for a while, take a trail ride into the beautiful hillsides surrounding Lake Tahoe. If you’re really up for adventure, charter a few horses and explore the pristine backcountry on your own. The Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT), the Desolation Wilderness, and Eldorado Forest are the main stomping grounds for the awesome horseback riding possibilities in this area. In this beautiful backcountry, you’ll find fragrant forests of fir, pine, aspen, and cedar, sparkling lakes, ancient volcanic beds, and babbling creeks.

From horseback, you can easily visit dozens of secluded mountain lakes in the area within a few hours, where you can fish, swim, hike, and camp. So, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and towel! Many trails climb up the hillside to wildflower meadows and scenic overlooks. From these mountain trails, you’ll see stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountain peaks that you can’t get from anywhere else. The hiking and horseback riding trails surrounding the Lake Tahoe basin are among the finest in America. Some nature enthusiasts say that you’ve never really seen Tahoe until you’ve experienced it on horseback.

Traveling on horseback gives you a chance to travel further away from “civilization” than most hikers ever go. You can take an afternoon ride on a well-trained horse through the beautiful hillsides surrounding Lake Tahoe. Or, stay away from the hottest sun and enjoy a morning, or evening ride. Some riding stables even offer a breakfast or dinner ride.

So, sit back in your saddle and take in the majestic scenery around Lake Tahoe from horseback.

Lake Tahoe Are - Trail Ride Stables

Looking for a horse to saddle up? Tahoe is the place to be! Lake Tahoe is known for dozens of world-class, scenic horseback riding trails. The Tahoe area boasts several stables with a variety of trail ride services. Please note that most of these stables are seasonal, and aren’t around to answer phone calls in off-season.

Camp Richardson Corral

  • Hwy. 89, near Emerald Bay
  • (530) 541-3113
  • Guided Trail Rides
  • Riding lessons
  • Winter sleigh rides
  • Breakfast & Dinner Rides (by Reservation)
  • Pack Charters (by Reservation)
  • Hay Rides (by Reservation)

Zephyr Cove Stables

  • Trail rides lasting 1, 1 ½, or 2 hours through beautiful forests, meadows, and mountain scenery.
  • Friendly cowboy guides
  • Breakfast/Dinner trail rides
  • Pack Charters with Reservation
  • Must be at least 7 years old to ride
  • Weight limit: 225 pounds
  • Hwy. 50 at Zephyr Cove
  • (775)588-5664

Northstar-at-Tahoe Stables

  • Offer trail rides in the North Lake Tahoe area
  • Experienced horses
  • Choose a ride lasting 1,2, or 3 hours long, through meadows and hillsides
  • Visitors ride out in small groups (usually 3-6 people, plus a guide)
  • All day rides exploring Reservoir Lake
  • Breakfast rides (enjoy a cool morning ride and a cowboy-style breakfast)
  • BBQ rides (1 hour evening ride and a hearty dinner)
  • Pony rides for kids under 7 (15 minutes)
  • Trail rides on experienced horses
  • 5-day Horse Day camps (8-17 year olds learn equestrian skills, including 2 hours of riding daily.)
  • Picnic & BBQ Area
  • Seasonal
  • Address: Northstar Rd, off of Hwy 267, Truckee, CA
  • (530) 562-2480

Cascade Stables

  • 1 hour rides:
    • Cascade Lake
    • South Shore of Lake Tahoe overlook
    • The Meadow Trail, along the shore of Lake Tahoe (the easiest ride)
  • 2 hour rides:
    • Cascade Lake, including a complete tour around the lake
    • Check for other destinations
  • All day rides (reservations recommended)
    • Desolation Wilderness area, past lakes, meadows, hillsides, and alongside streams. For the experienced rider. There are places to fish, swim, or eat a picnic lunch.
    • Fishing Trips: Take an all-day fishing trip within the Desolation Wilderness area. Take the family or a friend, and ride in to your pick of numerous pure lakes and streams. Reservations required.
  • Breakfast trail rides: Enjoy a morning ride to Cascade Lake, followed by a hearty Cowboy-style breakfast cooked over an open fire. Reservations required.
  • Steak Ride: Take an evening ride around Cascade Lake, followed by a tasty dinner of steak and potatoes. Reservations required.
  • Pack Trips: Explore the remote areas within the Desolation Wilderness Area, on horseback. Reservations required.
  • Spot Packs: If you’re hiking into the backcountry, horses can take your gear in for you. The horses return to pack up your gear and carry it back. You can also reserve horses to ride on. Reservations required.
  • Extended Pack Trips: Take a horseback excursion deep into the beautiful Desolation Wilderness area. You can choose the length of stay, location, and how many extra horses you’ll need to pack in your gear. Reservations required.
  • Address: 2199 Cascade Rd., South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • (530) 541-2055
  • Seasonal: open June-September

Alpine Meadows Stables

  • Trail rides
  • Pack charters
  • 2600 Alpine Meadows Rd., Tahoe City, CA
  • (530) 583-3905

Stateline Stables

  • Picturesque rides to an overlook of Lake Tahoe
  • Gentle horses for children available
  • located on Park Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • (916)541-0962

Ponderosa Ranch Stables

  • Pony Rides
  • Hay wagon rides
  • Breakfast rides
  • Trail rides
  • 100 Ponderosa Ranch Road, Hwy. 28, Incline Village, NV
  • (775) 831-2154

The Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center

  • Full-service equestrian center
  • Northern Lake Tahoe area
  • Pony Rides for kids under 7 (up to 30 minutes)
  • Trail Rides (must be over the age of 7 to ride)
  • Well-trained horses
  • BBQ Rides (guided tour through hills, ending in a BBQ)
  • Riding Lessons (private, group, or refresher courses)
  • Horsemanship Day Camps
  • Trail ride guided tours through scenic meadows, forests, and to lakes
  • Horse Boarding
  • Tack Shop
  • Access to over 3,000 acres of horseback riding trails
  • (530) 587-9470
  • Truckee, CA (15275 Alder Creek Road)