Horseback rides offer something for everyone, from beginners to experts. You can take a breakfast, lunch, dinner or overnight ride with Roadrunner Horseback Tours (505-377-6416; http://www.rtours.com).
New this year, The Stables at Angel Fire Resort offers hourly or all-day horseback rides through the Moreno Valley.
The Stables are open 7am-8pm, seven days a week.
..Read MoreGo back in time: Order a horse-drawn carriage at the Trail Rider Store (132 Banff Ave., 403-762-4551; http://www.horseback.com) for 15-minute, 30-minute, or hour long rides along Banff's main streets.
..Read MoreTrail Rider (132 Banff Ave., 403-762-4551; http://www.horseback.com) also sells Western apparel and you can arrange for a morning horseback or wagon ride that includes a mountain breakfast of steak and eggs.
..Read MoreDiamond K Outfitters (406-580-0928) offer the best of two worlds: guided fishing trips to high mountain streams and lakes by horseback. Jake's Horses (406-995-4630; http://www.jakeshorses.com) operates all year long, with day rides, hay ride dinners, and overnight pack trips and fishing trips in summer. Find them just off Highway 191.
..Read MoreBring your own horse or saddle up at quality outfitters and dude ranches located in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley.
..Read MoreStables, outfitters and tours abound for those wanting to see the area on horseback: Big Corral Riding Stables-Vallecito Lake Outfitters LLC (970-884-9235; http://www.vallecitolakeoutfitter.com), 17716 County Road 501, Bayfield; Buck's Livery, Inc., (970-385-2110; http://www.buckslivery.com), 61 C.R.
..Read MoreSome say sightseeing is best from the saddle. From Teton Village, ride north into Grand Teton National Park, explore Granite Canyon, or track wildlife on the Valley Trail.
..Read MorePark City & Deer Valley Stables (800-303-7256 or 435-645-7256; http://www.rockymtnrec.com/horse-back-riding.php) offers one and two-hour trail rides, three and four-hour rides with lunch, two-hour rides with dinner, and overnight cabin tours with dinner and breakfast. Western BBQs for groups from 20-400 people. Pack trips, hunting, fishing, and cabin rentals.
..Read MoreTake the River Run Gondola up the slopes of Keystone and pet the llamas. Better yet, go on the luncheon hike with them where they pack the food and gear, and you end up with the gourmet meal.
..Read MoreGet a taste of the Old West on your trip to Taos. Go horseback riding. Take a trail ride or hitch up on a ranch to ride with the ranch hands. Work the cattle with the cowboys. Ride through mountain meadows and streams, Ponderosa pine, blue spruce, and aspens. Take half-day or full-day scenic rides, with mountain views of the Sangre de Cristos.
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