Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Vail Stables


The Ultimate Horseback Riding Tour in Vail, Colorado

Closed October 1st. See you next May 20-something, 2023.

Our Rustic Little Outfit Offers Something for Everyone

Now CLOSED – Open May 2023  

Located one easy mile (don’t walk!) NE of Vail Village

RIDICULOUSLY STRICT 48 hr and 5 minute cancellation policy.

Dress in layers as Colorado weather is very moody, and the forecast is usually deceiving.

 

Horseback Rides

Easy Online Booking for the 1.5 hour,  2 hour and Half-Day Horseback Rides

Private Ride and Adult-Only 18 yrs+, please call.

It’s magical, scenic and easy for most people. 

90% of our guests are first-time riders or have ridden once as a kid.  

We specialize in Kid-Safe and Husband-Safe Horses 

Ages: 5+, (2 Hour and Half-Day rides are for ages 7 yrs+)

Weight Limit: – 220lbs, (6’+ 240lbs, 6’4″+ 260lbs)

Read the FAQs here.  Before you call.

Last day for horseback riding is October 1.  Maybe the 2nd.

 

GOGA Vail 

Yoga – with 20, frolicking, baby goats getting in your space.

8 Yrs and Up (any age if you buy out the class of 20)

Check out the GOGA schedule online.

Last day for goat activities is Saturday October 1st.

 

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour 

Hammocks, a great view, chill vibe and plenty of adult beverages like cold beer, mixed cocktail drinks in a can and wine.  Hang with goats and ponies, featuring random Live Music Events.

An adult hangout that is very family-friendly (all ages) with a fenced-in area, shaded sandbox, play-on toys, very few rules, (Hey kid, don’t kick the goats!) ponies to ride, 21 baby goats to feed, snacks and kid beverages.  A parent’s dream vacation spot.  Let the goats entertain the kids while you (slightly) check out.  

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour Reservations include a Bartender and a handful of mischievous goats.  $10 admission, per human 6 and over (0-5yrs free),   Walk-Ups welcome!

Nope.  You cannot bring your dog, cat or elephant.  It would be a social media nightmare if your dog bit a goat, your cat scratched a kid or your elephant sat on a pony.  

Last day for goat activities is Sunday, September 25th.

 

Pony Time

Add Pony Time for kids (0-5 yrs) five, F-I-V-E

to your  G.O.A.T. Happy Hour experience when booking online (or pay at the Bar). 

An adult, that you know, (not the bartender) must lead the pony.

$15/15 minutes  

Q:  We know you aren’t open for G.O.A.T. Happy Hour today but can you just get the pony out for us?  Our daughter has been dying to ride a pony.

A:  Neigh.

BOOK NOW

If 2022 is anything like last year, it is going to be very busy. We encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible to secure the ride and time slot or class you desire. You have 48 Hours and 5 Minutes prior to check-in time to cancel your reservation and receive a full refund.

 

From $10

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour.  Get here for the happiest hours in town!!   Enjoy the relaxed vibe in our beer garden with a beautiful view of Vail Mountain, cool drinks, 20 baby goats, a few ponies, a sandbox and play on toys for the tiniest of kids, and maybe a nap in a hammock.  Feed treats to the goats and horses and listen to the music. We take requests!

Goats are very goaty and ponies are trouble.  They will knock over your just purchased drink, forcing you to purchase another.  They will cause you to spill your just purchased container of treats, forcing you to buy another.  (They receive a commission on every additional purchase.)  They are lovable and pushy, always starving for treats and attention and camera time.   This is where you have to pull on your big person bloomers and be smarter and tougher than the goats.  It’s a great time and you might create a viral Insta post.

Open often.

$10 Admission 6yrs+

Crazy Hours as we juggle staff.  Or lack of it.   Please look at the online booking for available times.  If you call, we might be busy loading horses and could sound impatient and rude (overworked).  Better to check online first by clicking the big red button on the home page.

Book Now
Learn More
  • G.O.A.T. Activity
From $40
  • 45 Min

GOGA! (Goat Yoga)

Goat Yoga is an amazing experience for those who want to unwind, laugh, and relax while attempting to do the downward dog with a young goat or several goats winding around and between your limbs.  There is a lot of poo (and pee) from the goats.  They do not wear diapers.  Let that stuff go!!!  Just let it go.  We are pretty sure those little pellets are probiotics and if you eat one, you will be healthy for at least a year.  Seriously, we hope you don’t actually do that.  It’s supposed to be a joke.  Don’t eat the poo!  It’s hard to believe we even have to add that little disclaimer.  But we are in strange times.  Everyone is looking for the magic pill.

It’s a 1 hour experience.  Your reservation lists the check in time.  In the bar area, you will fill out a waiver.  The instructor will lead everyone to the outdoor yoga studio and class will begin. It lasts for 45 minutes.  The final 15 minutes are for posing and pictures with the goats,

 

 

Book Now
Learn More
  • 20th Anniversary Ride
From $720

Elk Springs Trail

Half-Day Experience

  • Heading to the west, this technical backcountry ride climbs to 10,000ft in elevation by traversing large meadows, steep grades, thick, dark, fragrant stands of Lodge Pole pine trees, densely populated Aspen glades, bubbling creeks and lush undergrowth.
  • Plop down on your belly and slurp from a fresh, cold spring. Having said that, 7 yr olds do it every day and an amazing Grandma did it at 91. She was very flexible and possessed the will of a Grizzly.
  • We are saying, in advance, that there is not a shortcut home, so you have to be tough. You are in the saddle for half the day.
  • Includes snacks and beverages

Private Rides only, requiring a minimum of 3 spaces, horses, saddles, people, aliens at $720 per person.   No.  Three people cannot ride one horse.  Oh, the phone calls we get.

Available  July 4th-October 1st.

Book Now
Learn More
From $165
  • 1.5 hours

Bear Hollow Trail

Booking for summer 2022 now!

Appropriate for all ages.  Parents, 5 yr olds usually do better than adults.  They can do it!!  Enjoy a scenic ride on mountainous terrain, with giant mountain views, and through a dense leafy-green Aspen forest we call The Enchanted Forest.   It is a sensory-filled Forest Bath that will leave you speechless!

 

$150 per person.  But, No No Double Double Riding Riding.

Adult Only  $165 per person. No screaming kids, just screaming adults.

Private $300 per person (min 3 people to book)

 

Book Now
Learn More
From $200
  • 2 hours

Dark Timber Trail

Booking now for 2022!

Age limit 7 yrs and older and the kids will be fine!!!!!  (Better than the adults at the end.).  This horseback ride travels through endless Aspen trees, Lodgepole pines, thick foliage and wildflowers, while offering two amazing, wide open viewpoints of the mountains from the Gore Range down to Beaver Creek.  It’s possible for anyone to do this ride as long as your general level of fitness is good for an hour of uphill and an hour of downhill navigation.  Check your core strength and double it before you ride!!

$200 per person. But, No No Double Double Riding Riding.

Adult Only $230 per person.  No screaming kids, just screaming adults.

Private Ride  $400 per person (min. 3ppl to book)

 

Book Now
Learn More
From $110
  • 1 hour

Rocky Point Trail

There is an abundance of sunshine, gorgeous views of Vail Mountain and East Vail, no steep drop-offs or cliffs, and plenty of time in the Aspens, on this multi-dimensional ride suitable for anyone 5yrs and up.  $110 per person or per horse, if that helps.   But, No No Double Double Riding Riding.

Upgrade to Adult-Only Ride (18yrs+) for $130 per person.  No screaming kids, just screaming adults.

Private Ride $220 per person.  (Min, of 3 people to book)

The biggest difference between the Rocky Point and Bear Hollow is that the Bear Hollow includes an additional 30 minutes in the enchanting Aspen Glade.

Book Now
Learn More

Discover Vail, Colorado

Vail Stables is uncompromisingly Colorado, specializing in beautiful mountain horseback rides near the town of Vail.

We have been the leading provider of tours on horseback for over 20 years and offer adventurers an all-access pass into the backcountry of the White River National Forest.

The spirit of the Old West rides on the breezes flowing through the quaking Aspens and echoes in the squeaking leather saddles. Our passion is to create transformational experiences through horseback riding.

Our friendly, experienced guides, gentle horses, and awe-inspiring trails await your arrival.

Note:  The information on this website supersedes any other information found on printed materials or other websites.

White-Crooked-Cow-Logo

Home of the G.O.A.T. Happy Hour - The Happiest Hour in Town

Extremely family friendly.  Relax in our hammocks with a stunning view of the slopes. We have cold beer and wine for the adults, soda and juice available for the kids. Take a selfie with the goats, roosters, ponies and horses.  Feed them some treats and enjoy the chill vibe of farm life in the Rockies

Check the schedule online for reservations.  Random days available.

G.O.A.T. Happy Hour reservations $10 for ages 6+.  0-5 is free, unless you want them to ride a pony.

Pony Rides available for kids 0-5 (zero to five) (f-i-v-e).  Book that option under G.O.A.T. Happy Hour.

 

Learn More

Treat Yourself to the Ultimate Adventure
★★★★★

Goat Yoga so much fun!

"My daughter convinced me to sign her up for goat yoga. We got there and all decided to join her as a family. It was so much fun. Amy was the instructor and was awesome. She gave us a nice workout and gave us plenty of time to interact with the goats. The goats were sweet and fun. Highly recommend. We may try to do it again before our vacation ends."

– kjtex2016 · TripAdvisor
Visited twice in 3 days- so much fun!

"We booked a family trail ride our first day of vacation in Vail- it was so great- horses were very sweet and gentle, scenery was gorgeous, ride was very relaxing. Then we found out they have Goga (Goat yoga), and the girls HAD to come back for that, so day 3 of our trip we were back at Vail Stables for a really fun session of goat yoga with the sweetest goats and great yogi leading the session. Highly recommend both experiences!!"

– SOonthebeach · TripAdvisor
Excellent Beginner Ride

"Having almost no horseback riding experience, 2 hour Vail Stables tour was perfect for our family with 2 tweens/teens. Climb into forest was manageable, not scary at all, and views were amazing. Horses in beautiful condition and very well trained. On our ride we hardly did any directing, in fact, we could have actually handled going faster."

– KrisC3333 · TripAdvisor
Best ride we've been on. Great route and overall great experience.

"Great experience from the minute we checked in. Our guide was Ellen and she was terrific. Got us ready and off we went on a fantastic 2-hour ride. Great pics along the way. Never considered about the horses or trails and we got up and down the mountain with incredible views and great memories. Highly recommended! Do the 2-hr ride. well worth it!"

– David K. · TripAdvisor
Loved it!

"We decided to go for a horseback riding after my kids (10 and 12 years old) insisted... my husband didn't want to come but somehow we convinced him. We all loved it!!! The horses are so perfectly train that you literally don't need to do anything... it was a great experience and a great way to see Vail from a new perspective! Will definitely be back."

– Karilli · TripAdvisor