Liam AndersonHorseback riding is one of those activities that you need to cross off your bucket list. Besides being fun, you also get to bond with an animal while enjoying the gorgeous scenery BC has to offer.
Whether you’re a first-timer who wants to try it out or if you’re looking for a leisurely ride away from city life, we’ve got what you need! We did the homework and looked for the best horseback riding spots in Vancouver!
Time to saddle up and read on!
Leghorn Ranch
– Media credit: leghornranch
Website: https://www.vancouverhorsebackriding.com/
Address: 20254 Old Dewdney Trunk Rd, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 1Z1, Canada
Office Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 778-886-1343
- [email protected]
Trail Rides: Alouette River Ride
Rates:
- Trail ride – $130 – $180
- Camp – $350 – $675
The ultimate place for horseback riding is Leghorn Ranch, offering trail rides, camps, and parties. Here, you’ll receive instructions and training from highly experienced coaches—one is even a two-time Canadian Team Roping Champion.
They offer trail riding with a free riding lesson along the Alouette River, which is just 30 minutes from the downtown core. Anyone can join, whether you’re a beginner or not, and you can enjoy the gorgeous mountain views.
Kids can also learn horseback riding through a summer or spring camp, available for half and full days. Plus, kids can have their birthday parties here, which include a pony ride, pony grooming session, and horseshoe painting.
| Pro Tip: The horseback riding trail is in a different location from where the riding lesson is held. So, make sure you’re on time because the horses will be loaded up in a trailer to get to the trail—and if you’re late, you’ll get left behind. |
Glen Valley Stables
– Media credit: glenvalleystablestrailrides
Website: https://glenvalleystables.com/
Address: 1255 208 St, Langley Twp, BC V2Z 1T4, Canada
Office Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact Details: 778-710-1941
Trail Rides:
- Meadow Loop Trail
- Quiet Creek Trail
- Cowboy’s Best Trail
Rates:
- Private Ride – $125 – $200
- Group Ride – $95 – $165
If you’re looking to go horseback riding no matter the season, then Glen Valley Stables is a must-try! They’re open six days a week and are easy to reach as they’re located just an hour from downtown.
The convenient part is that there’s no need to drive to the trail because the guide will bring the horses right to the trailhead. It’s the perfect escape from city life because you and your horse will go through open fields and forests.
There are also destination rides, where you can ride through a different trail than what they usually offer, like beaches, mountains, and riversides. With their calm horses, each ride will be a memorable experience.
| Pro Tip: We suggest booking their 10-ride pack to save more money. A family of five can get two one-hour rides because it’s fully transferable. Remember to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. You’ll need to sign a waiver form, which can take a while if you’re a big group. |
Southlands Heritage Farm
– Media credit: southlandsfarm
Website: https://www.southlandsfarm.ca/
Address: 3208 W 51st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6N 3V7, Canada
Office Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 604-261-1295
- [email protected]
Trail Rides: Southlands Farm
Rates: $65 – $115
If you’re looking for an educational horse riding activity for your kids, going to Southlands Heritage Farm is an excellent choice because there’s so much to do. They offer pony rides, riding lessons, guided tours, and farm programs.
Pony rides are for kids aged two to seven, and you can just drop by without an appointment, although it’s highly recommended for weekends. There’s also a day camp for kids to learn about other important aspects of horse riding.
There are a lot of adorable ponies at the farm, and each kid will be carefully matched with their animal. While horseback riding, riders can also see other cute farm animals.
| Pro Tip: You can buy fresh produce on Farm Friday. But it’s best to contact them beforehand to make sure it’s open since this has seasonal availability. If you want to buy fresh eggs, it’s recommended to text them first. Their eggs are popular and tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best to double-check if there’s still some left. |
Pinecrest Stables
– Media credit: team_pinecrest
Website: https://www.pinecreststables.org/
Address: 7025 Macdonald St, Vancouver, BC V6N 1G2, Canada
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 604-220-2170
- [email protected]
Trail Rides: Pinecrest Farm
Rates:
- Day Camp – $500
- Private Lessons – Via inquiry only
Pinecrest Stables is the place to go to reach your equestrian dream. They specialize in coaching anyone with any skill level, so you can learn how to professionally ride a horse—no coach is needed in the future!
But the good thing is they also have private and semi-private lessons. Both of these will run for 45 minutes, but the semi-private lesson is ideal for two people with the same skill level—maybe you can learn together with your sibling or friend?
For groups, you can choose the trail ride, which is a guided activity. The coach will take you and your horse to other places besides the farm—a nice way to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty!
| Pro Tip: For parents, you can book a week-long camp for your kids sometime in July. Kids will learn about horse care and English-style riding to make them better riders! |
Wilde Style Equestrian
– Media credit: wildestyleequestrian
Website: https://wsequestrian.com/
Address: 7255 Blenheim St, Vancouver, BC V6N 1S2, Canada
Office Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 604-404-4044
- [email protected]
Trail Rides: Southlands
Rates: Via inquiry only, depending on program
Wilde Style Equestrian is not your typical horseback riding spot. This is for kids interested in advancing their skills in horseback riding, whether you want to become an equestrian or if you just want to learn how to ride a horse professionally.
Incredibly, they have stallions and mares imported from European countries. They have also taught champion horses that will surely take your breath away.
But this isn’t just for kids because adults can enroll if they want to advance their skills and earn coaching certification. It’s the perfect place for individuals who are serious about horseback riding.
| Pro Tip: You better contact them early because they only have limited spaces for each program. You don’t want to miss out since they follow a strict semester schedule. |
Copper Cayuse Outfitters
– Media credit: coppercayuse
Website: https://www.coppercayuseoutfitters.ca/
Address: 7830 Pemberton Meadows Rd, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0, Canada
Contact Details:
- 604-698-7751
- [email protected]
Trail Rides:
- Pemberton Valley
- Birkenhead Lake backcountry
- Tenquille Lake wilderness
- Callaghan wilderness
Rates: $98.70 – $2,535.75
With transportation and pickups in Vancouver, Copper Cayuse Outfitters makes it easy for Vancouverites to go horseback riding in Pemberton. Whistler Shuttle and Sky Lynx offer transportation to Whistler, and from there, you’ll ride a bus to reach Pemberton.
The commute is worth it because horseback riding will take you to various trails in the wilderness. There are options for half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips to really make horse riding a memorable experience.
There are also retreats at the ranch, which is perfect for a short vacation. Besides horse riding, you can also escape for a short while from the hustle and bustle of city life.
| Pro Tip: Don’t wear perfume or scented lotion to avoid irritating the horses with strong smells. These can also attract rodents, which you don’t want to encounter during your horse riding retreat. Eek! |
Squamish River Horse Adventures
– Media credit: squamishriverhorseadv
Website: https://www.squamishriverhorseadventures.com/
Address: 15986 Squamish Valley Rd, Brackendale, BC V0N 1H0, Canada
Office Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 604-905-8565
- [email protected]
Trail Rides:
- Squamish Valley
- Squamish River
Rates: $25 – $190
Just an hour’s drive from Vancouver is where you’ll find some of the most majestic places to go horseback riding. Squamish River Horse Adventures brings adventures to kids and adults, and it’s important to highlight that they have many rescue horses.
Their 2-hour tour will take you to the beautiful wilderness in Squamish Valley, where you’ll see the stunning Mount Garibaldi. It’s an incredible tour because besides going through forests, you’ll also see beaches and waterfalls.
Kids can also enjoy 15-minute pony rides at their ranch. Youngsters get to meet other farm animals throughout the tour, such as goats, bunnies, and pigs!
| Pro Tip: If you’re a beginner, it’s best to stick to the 1-hour ride. Although 2 hours doesn’t sound like a long time, it is still horseback riding, and when you get tired, there’s no going back. For the horseback riding tour, you need to fill out their online form. They don’t have a set schedule for the trips since they operate on a request-only basis. |
Paradise Acres Ranch
– Media credit: paradise_acres_ranch
Website: https://paradiseacresranch.ca/
Address: 1085 Paradise Pl, Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9A4, Canada
Office Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 250-248 6125
- [email protected]
Trail Rides:
- Nanaimo
- Vancouver Island
- Nanoose
- Parksville
Rates: $29 – $149
From the mainland, ride a ferry to Vancouver Island if you want to go horseback riding in Parksville, Nanoose, and Nanaimo. The trails will take you to forests, hills, and open fields, all with stunning views.
Adults can go on one and two-hour rides, while kids get to ride ponies at the ranch for lesson programs. You can have a private one-on-one lesson or opt for a group lesson with up to four people.
If you want to have a weekend adventure, you can stay at the ranch by booking a room or bringing your RV. They have rooms with mountain views to wake up to before your trail riding session.
| Pro Tip: If you’re a beginner, it’s best to contact them first before booking a horse riding trip online. The routes will depend on skill level, and you don’t want to go through various places if you aren’t used to horseback riding. |
Dreamcatcher Meadows
– Media credit: dreamcatchermeadows
Website: https://www.dreamcatchermeadows.com/
Address: 9114 Pemberton Meadows Rd, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L2, Canada
Office Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 604-894-6819
- [email protected]
Trail Rides: Pemberton Valley
Rates: Depending on program and availability
Dreamcatcher Meadows has it all: horse riding lessons, horse training, boarding, and breeding. Just a two-hour drive from Vancouver, you can reach the gorgeous Pemberton Valley and have the most captivating horseback riding experience.
They offer horse riding to individuals of all skill levels, available for short or long-term programs. If you have zero experience, they can customize a lesson so you can ride safely and comfortably.
The best part is their coaches are absolute pros in the field and can provide a tailored plan for advanced riders. These lessons can help with advancing skill levels to become an incredible rider with consistency and practice.
| Pro Tip: You need to contact them for a horseback riding lesson because availability is limited and there’s no set schedule. |
Langley 204 Horseback Riding
– Media credit: langley204horses
Website: https://langley204.com/
Address: 543 204 St, Langley Twp, BC V2Z 1V5, Canada
Office Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact Details:
- 604-533-7978
- [email protected]
Trail Rides: Campbell Valley Park
Rates: $70 – $1,840
Just drive for 40 minutes from Vancouver to reach Langley 204 Horseback Riding. Here, they offer horse riding, lessons, and pony rides for the kiddos!
While riding on a horse, you get to enjoy the views of Campbell Valley Park, which has a large trail for horseback riding. It’s ideal for beginners because of the groomed trails and there are no rough areas to go through.
Riders get to choose between English and Western saddles, allowing you to find which one’s more comfortable. Advanced riders can also opt for the package rides for up to 20 if they want to continue honing their horseback riding skills.
| Pro Tip: If you’re riding on an English saddle, remember to wear boots with heels. If you forget to bring a pair, you may have to buy or rent one, which means you have to fork out more money. |
