HORSEBACK RIDING IN MOAB

Horseback riding in and around Moab, one of the best ways to relive the West. Ride the trails that John Wayne rode while filming such movies as Rio Grande, Commancheros and many other westerns. Review our list of places to go horseback riding for a great way to spend your vacation.

Trails in and near Moab

Ken's Lake Trail

Trail Length: 2 hour ride

Terrain: Sand and Sandstone

Land: BLM

Directions to the Trail: Go South from Moab on Hwy 191 turn left at mile post 118 onto Old Airport Road. Turn right onto Spanish Valley Drive .5 miles. Turn left to Ken's Lake, continue past the campground entrance .2 miles to the horse trailhead to park.

Trail: From the parking area ride towards the lake and cross the creek. Follow the road between the lake and the red cliffs to the east. The sandy parts of the road are a good place for a loop. As you pass the lake there is a road turning left to loop around the lake, or you can continue north and explore the ridges below the cliffs.

Pack Creek Trail

Trail Length: 4.5 hour ride

Terrain: Dirt and gravel with loose rock

Land: Forest Service

Directions to the trail: Go South from Moab on Hwy 191, turn left at mile post 118 onto Old Airport Road. Turn right onto Spanish Valley Drive .5 miles. Go past the Ken's Lake turn off and continue on the LaSal Mountain Loop Road. Turn right towards Pack Creek Picnic Area onto Pack Creek Road. Park just past the Pack Creek Picnic Area. The trailhead is back before the cattleguard you just crossed, west of the picnic entrance. (There is a gate to bypass the cattleguard).

Trail: Just before the cattleguard at the picnic area entrance, ride up USFS 719, a gravel road going to the south just before the USFS Pack Creek Campground. Stay on the gravel road as it climbs through an easement of private property. Go past a minor road to the left, and an old cattle loading ramp on the right. Continue gaining elevation until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left fork for another mile. The road ends and the trial begins with a creek crossing. Continue riding up the trail, which will eventually climb to 10,000 feet at La Sal Pass. This part of the trail is best for experienced riders and stock. There are incredible views of the mountains along this trail.

Seven Mile Canyon Trail

Trail Length: 4.5 hour ride

Terrain: Sandy Wash

Land: BLM

Directions to the Trail: Go North from Moab on Hwy 191, nine miles out of Moab. Turn west onto Hwy 313, and park at the fourth possible left turn. You will park on a flat area next to the road, and there is plenty of room to turn around. (If you start to climb a hill on Hwy 313 you have gone to far). Ride down the dirt road and follow the canyon to the south.

Trail: Follow the jeep route up the wash. Stay in the main canyon. Side canyons are impassable, and impossible to ride. At the end of the canyon is a grotto, which is usually has a pond. The water is not for human consumption.