Colorado Horseback Riding

Name: Elk Point Lodge
Address: 21730 County Road 501, Vallecito Lake, Colorado, 81122, USA
Telephone: 970-884-2482

Durango horseback riding at its finest, departing from the stables right here at Elk Point Lodge. Join us for the best Colorado mountain horseback ride in the Southwest San Juan range. You'll experience gorgeous views overlooking Vallecito Lake from horseback as you wander wooded trails and rocky shorelines.

Bookings for our rides will begin Memorial Day weekend.
If you are staying with us at Elk Point, you have first dibs on reservations! You can make them as soon as you have a cabin confirmation number.
Public tickets become available 7 days in advance, so be sure to get on the waiting list.

All minors 12 years and under must have a parent or guardian accompanying them on the ride. Teens aged 13-17 may ride without accompaniment, but will need parental signature on the waiver.
All horse rides and times are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.

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ONE HOUR RIDES
9am or 2pm (and possibly 5 pm) Daily
except Wednesdays
Climb trails along the wooded mountainside and enjoy spectacular views of Vallecito Lake.
$60 per rider

TWO HOUR RIDES
11am (and possibly 5 pm) Daily
except Wednesdays
Wooded trails and rocky shorelines await. Ride out through the woods and wander back along the lapping shores of the lake.
$90 per rider

EVENING RIDES
5pm Daily except Wednesdays
Either one or two hours, if you call and book it first, you decide! Great way to beat the heat.
$60/$90 per rider

REQUEST TICKETS

All tickets are by request only, and at this time reservations are required. By filling out the form below you are being added to a waitlist.
Only once you receive an invoice via email will your reservations be confirmed.

You may also call us to be added to the list: 970-884-2482,
if leaving a voice message be sure to include your preferred date, type of ride, and number of riders.
For horseback riding questions please email us at: elkpointinfo@gmail.com

For the safety of our guests as well as our horses, there is a maximum weight limit of 220lbs per rider (at wranglers' discretion).

Use the contact form to the left to request tickets.
Copy and paste the below text into the "Message" section, and answer each field accordingly.

Ride Date:
Type of ride:
Number in party:
Staying in cabins:

Once received we will confirm that you have either been added to the ride, and will be provided with an invoice, or we will confirm that you have been added to the waitlist.

If you do not receive any type of confirmation, please email us at elkpointinfo@gmail.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Payment?
Once you receive your email invoice, please call us to provide a credit card number, or if you have booked a cabin we will add it to your ongoing invoice. We only accept Visa and MasterCard.

What should I wear?
Comfortable pants with a bit of give, closed-toed shoes preferably with ankle coverage and a bit of a heel like a cowboy or hiking boot. Tennis shoes work as well! We require that all riders wear secure closed toe shoes with a back. No sandals, flip flops, crocs, Vibram five fingers, or high heels.

What if it rains?
We ride in the rain! Up here at 8000' elevation we get 3-4 seasons in one day very often. If weather is too inclement (thunder or hail storms) we will contact you to cancel or reschedule if we can.

I'm over your weight limit, but I've ridden horses before. Why can't I ride?
Due to our contracts with the companies we lease our horses with as well as our insurance we must strictly enforce the 220lb weight limit. Our rides travel on hilly, rocky terrain, and the horses need to be able to get their footing without struggle.

Can I ride if I am pregnant or have back injuries, I'll sign a waiver!
Sorry, no. There are inherent risks to riding, the way the horse needs to walk is often jarring, and you must have free movement of your core as well as be able to dismount on your own in an emergency.

Cancellations?
For a refund, cancellations must be made at least 3 hours in advance.

How old do riders have to be?
For trail rides the youngest riders must be at least 7 years old, 48" tall, and capable of sitting on their own for over an hour.
Younger riders wanting a horse experience can be led around the stable yard for 10 minutes at no charge either right before or after standard rides.

Do you have mounting blocks to get into the saddle?
At the stables we do have mounting blocks and the ability to assist you up into the saddle. However, all riders must be able to dismount on their own in an emergency as well as climb back into the saddle without a mounting block if necessary.

Can we ride doubles? My child is too small to ride on their own.
No. With the inherent risks of horse rides on hilly terrain it is not safe to ride double. We are happy to sit your small child on a horse for a 10 minute walk around the stable yard either directly before or after scheduled rides.

Do I get to pick the horse I ride?
Our wranglers will match you with a horse. They all have their own personalities, some are more suited to specific types of riders than others.

Are reservations required?
Yes, at this time reservations are required.

*All rides require a signed liability waiver, a 15 minute safety briefing, and allow another 15 minutes for everyone to be saddled. Rides begin approximately 30 minutes after your scheduled arrival time, and then run for the stated length, so expect to add 30 minutes to your scheduled time.
YOUR RIDE IS AT THE WRANGLERS' DISCRETION. IF YOU ARE ACTING IN AN UNSAFE MANNER YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE RIDE.

The Elk Point Lodge is an equal opportunity service provider and employer and operates under special use permit #0596-0082 from the USDA Forest Service,
San Juan National Forest.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.