The 14 Best Horse Riding Tours in Banff & Lake Louise

1.Banff National Park: 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 518 reviews · 1 hour · from $78Our pick

Ride the Bow River in Banff on a calm, beginner-friendly 1-hour horseback hack with great views, helmets, and friendly guides.

“It was an interesting experience. For someone like me who had never ridden a horse and had no riding skills, it was excellent. The staff were respectful, and the tour guide (Mandi) was very kind and friendly. I highly recommend it, even if you have never ridden a horse before.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 315 reviews · 1 hour · from $83

1-hour Banff horseback ride with Bow Falls views and Fairmont golf-course sights, plus Spray River crossings on calm horses.

“Enthusiastic crew and very friendly. The horses were well trained and we were given good instruction.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Family Friendly Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 237 reviews · 40 min · from $39Best value

A 40-minute family-friendly horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff with mountain views, possible wildlife, and a cozy hot drink by the fire.

“Fabulous time. Weird how they sat out whole family of ten on one side of the wagon rather than across from each other so we could be together for the ride. Fabulous guide driver. Fabulous footman. Loved the way they cared for the horses.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.2 Hour Banff Horseback Riding Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 145 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $160

Two hours of gentle horseback riding in Banff, looping the Bow River, visiting Cave and Basin, and climbing toward Sulphur Mountain viewpoints.

“Great for novice rider. Walk only which they don't really advertise. I would have appreciated the opportunity to at least trot a bit. Horses should be trained so you can stop for a minute and take a pic of the views. Disappointed there was no view at the top of Sulphur Mountain, it was just a trek up and back down in the forest. Front tour guide tries to talk/explain but I was toward the back of a full ride and couldn't hear a thing she said. Otherwise, this is a professionally run organization. Horses were great. They know what they are doing and are very good with older riders…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Kicking Horse River: Whitewater Rafting Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 142 reviews · 3h 30m · from $112

Half-day Kicking Horse River rafting in British Columbia. Class 2 to 4/4+ rapids with gear and pro guides, plus Rocky Mountain views.

“They were fantastic all in all an absolutely memorable experience. So much fun and the guide was great”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Banff National Park: 2-Hour Sundance Loop Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 128 reviews · 2 hours · from $152

2-hour Banff horseback loop with Bow River views, Sulphur Mountain climb, and Windy Knoll photos. Helmet and instruction included.

“Loved the loop we went, could see some nice views. The trail was easy to handle even for beginnners”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.3-Hour Bow Valley Loop Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 61 reviews · 3 hours · from $208

3-hour horseback ride in Banff National Park, looping past Bow River and Cave and Basin to Sulphur Mountain views.

“The guide did not have control over the horses especially Pacman and her horse clearly did not get along with him. It was very scary when Pacman kept backing up and was out of control. Only 2 people got pictures by the river because it was chaotic. I felt horrible for the rider of Pacman. The guide kept saying he was new and maybe not ready for a trail ride. For a three hour ride all the horses should be trained. The guide at one point even mentioned that she hadn’t been on that trail for a while. It would have been nice to see more then just woods. There…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Kicking Horse River: Half-Day Intro to Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 3h 30m · from $94

A half-day whitewater intro on the Kicking Horse River near Golden, BC, with Class 1-3 rapids, pro guides, and top gear for $94.

“We loved the excitement of the rapids , and the guides were excellent at explaining how to stay safe and what to expect”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.2-Day Sundance Overnight Backcountry Lodge Trip by Horseback

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $998

Horseback through Banff backcountry to Sundance Lodge, with guided trail rides, included meals, and cozy off-grid comfort.

“Amazing experience from beginning until the end… We have the best tour guides Courtney, Maia, Mark along with the best cook! The accommodation in the forest was divine. Could not have asked for a better trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.4 Hour Sulphur Mountain Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $253Top rated

Ride 6 to 7 feet above Banff National Park on a 4-hour Sulphur Mountain horseback tour with helmet, snack, and Spray River crossings.

“Ride was primarily among trees, with not much else to look at. Guide was quite personable. Trail was pretty rutted from exceptionally high summer rains.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.4-Hour Sulphur Mountain Intermediate Horseback Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 4 hours · from $241

4-hour intermediate horseback ride in Banff past Mount Rundle, with Spray River and Bow Falls crossings, small group, helmets included.

“This was such an awesome trail ride. The ladies are lovely and really look after you. The horses are so good and really sure footed you can relax and enjoy the view. Loved the river crossings.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Kicking Horse River: Rafting Trip with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 5 hours · from $160

Half-day Kicking Horse River rafting with class II to IV rapids, pro guides, top gear, and a warm BBQ lunch in Golden, BC.

“Staff were amazing!! Rafting was enthralling. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Private Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride In Banff

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $233

Private horse-drawn sleigh in Banff for two, Mount Rundle and Norquay views, blanket to keep, and s'mores by the fire.

“I didn’t have an experience, they cancelled it, and did not send me any email or any call to tell me that the experience was cancelled.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Kicking Horse River Family Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $91

Family rafting on BC’s Kicking Horse River, 2 hours of Class I-II thrills, full gear, and guide-led scenery and wildlife spotting near Golden.

“taro was a great guide and it was a smooth company interaction.”

Check availability →Read our full review