Frequently Asked Questions

Our weight limit is 200lbs (including clothing and gear) from May 16 – May 18 and September 14 – October 15, 2026. This affects our Lake McDonald and West Glacier corrals.

Additional restrictions may apply to specific rides such as the Trout Lake ride.

Most people find their clothing and gear adds 10-15lbs to their bodyweight, so please plan appropriately.

Weight will be verified by scale at check in.

Back To Top

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

All persons under 18 years of age are required to wear a helmet.

Back To Top

Children 7 years and older can begin to ride at our West Glacier and Apgar Corrals. Children 8 years and older can begin to ride at our Lake McDonald and Many Glacier Corrals.

Higher age minimums may apply for certain trails and locations, such as Apgar Lookout, due to length of rides or difficulty of terrain. All children must ride their own horse. We do not allow “double riders”, where a child rides in a parent’s lap. We do not allow children in backpack baby carriers. Children must be 48 inches or taller and 48 pounds or more, even if they fit the age requirement.

If your child does not meet all the above requirements, they cannot ride.

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

All children (including teens under 18) who are able to participate will be required to wear a helmet.

Back To Top

Our trails are uncontrolled environments and assisted mounting objects are not regularly available. On our half day and full day rides, riders are expected to dismount and remount the horses at the halfway point for a stretch/snack/bathroom break and for the horses to rest. If you can’t get on and off the horse unaided, it is not advisable to proceed with riding it. An inability to dismount yourself safely puts you at a greater risk of injury if you are instructed to dismount quickly. Unforeseen circumstances could necessitate a dismount and remount on any ride, even shorter ones. In rare circumstances, a rider may be separated from the horse involuntarily. For these reasons, it is essential that all riders feel confident with mounting from the ground at any point during the trail.

Back To Top

Yes! We want our guests to be able to capture their memorable horseback ride in and around Glacier National Park. However, the safety of our guests and horses are of the utmost importance, so there are some restrictions. Guests must be able to successfully control their horse and operate their camera/phone at the same time. Guides reserve the right to deny a guest the use of their phone/camera at any time. We do not allow phone calls, texting, or video chats during the ride.

Cameras must be able to be operated in one hand. GoPros are allowed so long as the handle is no longer than 7 inches. Selfie sticks are not allowed. Larger cameras may be brought along and packed in saddle bags for longer duration rides (half day, full day, and overnight trips) for use when dismounted. Please see our full photo policy here.

Back To Top

Anyone under 18 years of age is required to wear a helmet. While it is not mandatory for adults (18+) to wear helmets, we highly recommend that you do. Horse related falls often result in head injuries, regardless of the experience of the rider.

Back To Top

After purchasing Park entry, vehicles will be allowed to enter the park. However, vehicles may be diverted from park entrances when areas become too congested.

Visitors with service reservations (e.g., boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes), camping reservations, or backcountry permits in these areas will be permitted entry during temporary restrictions but may experience delays. For this reason, we highly recommend that you print or screenshot your confirmation email for your ride before arriving to any Park Entrance.

The above does not apply to our West Glacier corral, which lies outside of Glacier National Park.

Learn more: Accessing the Park.

Back To Top

We like to say, “If you liked your ride, kiss your horse and tip your guide!” Many people do not realize that it is customary to tip your trail ride wrangler. If you had a great time on your ride, show your appreciation. The standard is 15-20% – similar to what you would tip a waiter or waitress.

Many of our guides have Venmo, but cell phone service may not be available depending on location, so cash is always a dependable option.

Back To Top

Layers are essential in the mountains. Weather can flip like a switch, so prepare for anything. 

• Layers can look like a tank top or t-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, and a sweatshirt or jacket.
• All riders must wear long pants. Denim is recommended, but not essential.
• Your own hat or our helmet is recommended, but not required. Make sure your hat is secure on your head. If your hat flies off, it is an extreme safety hazard! Trails can be very windy! Anyone under eighteen is required to wear a helmet. Each corral will have some available if you do not have your own. 
• Correct footwear is essential to ride. A sturdy leather boot with a smooth sole and slightly raised heel is perfect. Hiking boots with a tread on the bottom will usually work. Larger shoe sizes are recommended to wear tennis shoes to ensure that they will fit in the stirrups safely. Those wearing shoes that lack an enclosed heel and toe, such as sandals or crocs, will not be allowed to ride.

Back To Top

No. Backpacks, fanny packs or any kind of strap around the neck are prohibited on our rides. However, minimal gear can be carried in pommel bags for short duration rides or saddle bags for longer duration rides.

Pommel bags have two pockets that each measure 4 inches wide by 6 inches tall by 2 inches deep. They sit over the horn of the saddle and are perfect for a water bottle, keys and a wallet. Saddle bags have two pockets that each measure 12 inches wide by 12 inches tall by 4 inches deep. They are attached to the back of the saddle and are perfect for a lunch, a first aid kit or toiletry bag, an extra water bottle or a camera. Extra jackets can be tied to the back of the saddle.

You can read more about saddle bags in this pdf Bringing Your Personal Gear on the Ride

Back To Top

No you do not need to know how to ride a horse. Though some of our trail rides are more difficult than others, we have plenty of trails that are great for beginners. Our experienced wranglers will guide first time riders through every step of the process to make sure they feel comfortable and safe. If you have never ridden before, we suggest sticking with a 1 hour or 2 hour ride.

Experience is required for some rides, such as Sperry Chalet and Trout Lake.

Back To Top

Given that horseback riding uses many muscles and joints in ways that you may not be used to using them, it is likely that you will be sore. The most frequent area of complaint is pain or stiffness on the outside of the knee joint. It is a good idea to stretch before and after your ride and to drink plenty of water to help relieve sore muscles. Immediately after your ride, we recommend strolling around a bit to “walk it off” before you hop back in your car.

Back To Top

It is a common misconception that horseback riding is easier than walking. Horseback riding uses a tremendous number of muscles and joints in ways you may not be accustomed to using on a regular basis, so in some ways it can actually be more strenuous than walking. Many of our Sperry Chalet riders choose to walk down as that trail is particularly steep and tough on the knees on the way down.

If you can’t reasonably hike the same trail as that of your ride, you ought not to be riding it either and should choose a shorter ride or milder terrain.

Back To Top

Glacier National Park spans over a million acres, making it virtually impossible to list all the amazing things you might come across. In a nutshell, you can expect to see shady forests, stellar snow-capped mountains, glacier-carved valleys, majestic alpine vistas, aquamarine streams and lakes, wildflowers, and all sorts of wildlife from coyotes to bear to deer.

Back To Top

No. All of our trips are guided by staff. All of our trips are at set times on set trails. All of our trips are conducted at a walking gait only.

Our staff are knowledgeable and friendly people dedicated to making your experience one to remember. If your wrangler has done a great job on your ride, feel free to show your appreciation by tipping them as you would a waitress or other customer server.

If you would like to BE a wrangler, then you may apply through our online portal.

Back To Top

Please visit our rates page.

Back To Top

Our policy is to collect full payment when the ride is booked. We can charge your reservation to a Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

If you are paying with an international credit card, you must call our office or submit an inquiry. You can find our contact information here.

Back To Top

Read our refund policy here

Back To Top

Yes! However, in order to process international credit cards, you must speak with one of our reservationists and pay over the phone.

Find the contact information to submit an inquiry or call us here.

Back To Top

We tend to recommend the shorter rides for large groups, families with kids, and novice riders. Half day rides and all day rides are better suited for experienced horseback riders or athletic guests.

If you are eager to get lots of horseback riding in during your vacation, but worried about your comfort and stamina,  you can book several shorter rides, one at each corral! This way, you get to see lots of the Park without running the risk of making yourself sore from spending too much time in the saddle on a single ride.

There are many factors to consider and we have many options, so check out our page Which Ride Should You Choose? for more advice.

Back To Top

Some of our rides can be booked online. This includes our 1 hours, 2 hours, 3 hours, and Cowboy Cookout. Simply click the orange button under the ride’s description on this site. The online booking function is disabled 72 hours before the start time of the ride, so for last minute bookings you must submit an inquiry or call.

Our half-day and full-day rides cannot be booked online. You must submit an inquiry or call us on the phone.

If you are paying with an international credit card, you must submit an inquiry or call us on the phone. 

For a list of contacts and the information we will need to know to reserve your trail ride, click here.

Back To Top

Since bears are wild animals, there is always a chance of encountering them on the trail. However, the horses are smelly and riders make a lot of noise, so bears in the vicinity tend to wander off to avoid contact. All of our wranglers have completed Bear Safety Training. They will assess each bear encounter and respond in such a way to minimize conflict.

Back To Top

No. In fact, bear spray is prohibited on our horseback rides. Horses and bear spray do not mix.  The chances that the bear spray will inadvertently affect the horses instead of the bear are extremely high. If that were to happen, you would be in much greater danger of a horse accident than you would have been of a bear attack. The horses are actually your best defense against bears that you may see out on the trail.

Back To Top

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.

However, it is Swan Mountain Outfitters’ policy that no guests or employees may carry firearms with them on our horseback rides.

Back To Top

If you are going on a half day or a full day ride, we recommend that you bring a lunch or some snacks. We provide saddle bags that you will be able to use. If you are going on the ride to Sperry Chalet you can prepurchase lunch that will be served at the chalet for $19.50. Let out reservation staff know you are interested in lunch at the chalet at your time of booking.

Back To Top