Equitours offers unique opportunities for exploring the most beautiful parts of Arizona and Utah on horseback. Our rides wind back and forth along the border of the two states and cover the highlights of the southwest. Film directors know something about striking landscape and have long recognized that Arizona and Utah have some of the most dramatically beautiful scenery in the world. Mesas towering abruptly a thousand feet above the plain, rippling desert sands, the world’s biggest canyon and saguaro cactus in a blazing sunset have a huge, aesthetic appeal and make an ideal setting for horseback riding vacations. Riders have the opportunity to observe the fascinating cultural aspects of the area where thousand year old remnants of the once powerful Anasazi civilization such as petroglyphs and cliff dwellings can be seen. The rich Navajo cultural life is very much alive and many of their traditional crafts like weaving, silver smithing and pottery flourish for the tourist trade.

The rides traverse trails through tremendously varied terrain in the border area between Utah and Arizona, sometimes on rocky paths, sometimes winding through ponderosa forests with chances to gallop across clearings or on open plains. The horses are sure footed on the steepest trails and you will feel secure in the saddle. The Three Park Spectacular Riding Tour takes you through three of our most beautiful national parks and visits some of the most remote parts of this spectacular area. Another fascinating adventure called the Winter Pastures Horseback Ride takes place on the seldom visited north rim of the Grand Canyon. Here it is possible to descend far into the depths of the Canyon where a series of benches provides cattle and wildlife shelter from winter storms in a much warmer microclimate.

 You can read more here about the centuries old history of Horseback Riding in Arizona.

  Peak Season

April, May, September, October


  Quiet Season

February, March


  Timezone in Arizona

Mountain Standard Time (GMT-7)


  International Airports

McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, NV


Climate in Arizona

The climate in this part of the southwest is variable and unpredictable.  In the autumn, days can be warm or hot, sometimes up to 90 F.  At the higher elevations and in the desert where the humidity is very low, evenings cool down considerably, frequently to 30 F.  Anything can happen and riders should be prepared for storms and the associated cold winds.  Layered clothing is the easiest way to prepare for the erratic temperature fluctuations.

  Average Temperature

90 °F » 30 °F


Arizona Travel Tips

Most guests travel to St. George, Utah via Las Vegas, although there is a small airport in St. George as well.

 

Choose from 2 equestrian vacations in Arizona

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Three Park Spectacular

The Three Park Spectacular Ride is on the border between Utah and Arizona and covers three of the most famous national parks in the world. This allows you to see parts of the country around the national parks which few tourists ever visit, with... Browse itinerary

Ride through the Grand Canyon on this horseback riding trip in Arizona

Grand Canyon Winter Pastures

The Winter Pastures horseback riding vacation will take you far below the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon into a microclimate which is sheltered from the cold and winds above. Once the trail drops off the north rim, you are unlikely to meet... Browse itinerary

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Linda and I just experienced the most wonderful pack trip ever. We will always remember the scenery but our guides, Mel and Justin are the main topic when we discuss our Arizona trip. Our expectations were far surpassed. These two genuine cowboys when above and beyond to see to our enjoyment and comfort while in their care. I am sure they would view their behavior as “nothing special”, this just how they live and work.

Sam Sargent 2015

Related Articles

Read articles related to Arizona

History of Horseback Riding in Arizona

Cattle Drives and Roundups, Then and Now

Grand Canyon Ride in Winter

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