Our absolute maximum weight limit is 225lbs (including clothing, footwear, and personal items such as water bottle, snacks, etc.) for the majority of the season. Imposing a weight limit is not a matter of prejudice, but a means by which we help to ensure rider safety and the welfare of our horses.

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

Weight is verified by scale at check-in.

No, your riding animal will be chosen for you by our guides.

There are many factors considered when matching animal and rider, including but not limited to: height and weight, age, experience level, horse herd hierarchy, and the individual fitness level of each animal. Our guides know our animals best and will match you to an appropriate horse or mule.

Maybe! Mules, which are half horse and half donkey, are sure-footed, intelligent animals and make wonderful riding animals. Some people even say they’re smoother to ride than horses. We have several mules in our string who are ridden by guests or guides. Even if you don’t ride a mule, you may get to see one around the corral. Look for the big ears!

Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Children 7 years and older can ride at our West Glacier and Apgar corrals.

Children 8 years and older can ride at our Lake McDonald and Many Glacier corrals.

All children must be at least 48 inches tall and weight 48lbs or more, even if they meet the minimum age.

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

Higher age minimums may apply for certain trails and locations, such as Apgar Lookout and full-day rides, due to length of the ride and/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 under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Any known pregnant person will not be permitted to ride for their own safety.

Our trails are uncontrolled environments and assisted mounting objects are not regularly available. Unforeseen circumstances could necessitate a dismount and remount on any ride. In rare circumstances, a rider may be involuntarily separated from the horse/mule. On our half day and full day rides, riders are expected to dismount and remount at the half way point.

If you cannot get on and off the animal without a step, 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. For these reasons, it is essential that all riders feel confident mounting from the ground at any point during the trail.

Yes! 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/mule 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, like DSLRs, may be packs in saddle bags for longer duration rides for use when dismounted. See our full phot policy here.

Anyone under the age of 18 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.

We like to say, “If you liked your ride, kiss your horse and tip your guide!”

Tips are customary and always appreciated. 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.

Weather can flip like a switch in the Rocky Mountains, so prepare for anything. Layers are key!

  • 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
  • A hat or helmet is recommended, but not required for those over 18 years of age. Corrals have helmets available if you do not have your own. If you wear a hat, make sure it is well fitted and secure on your head. Trails can be very windy and a hat that flies off is an extreme safety hazard
  • Shoes with an enclosed heel and toe are required. Those wearing shoes that lack that, such as crocs or slides, will not be allowed to ride. A leather boot with a smooth sole and slightly raised heel is ideal. Tennis shoes and hiking boots will work as well. Large hiking boots with heavy tread are not recommended

No. Backpacks, fanny packs, or any kind of strap around the neck or chest 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 and 2 inches deep. They sit over the saddle horn and are perfect for a small water bottle, keys, and a wallet.

Saddle bags have two pockets that each measure 12 inches wide by 12 inches tall and 4 inches deep. They are attached to the back of the saddle and are perfect for a packed lunch, 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

There is always a chance of encountering bears on the trail. However, the scent of the horses and the noise made by riders and horses tend to be enough to make bears in the vicinity wander off and avoid contact. All of our wranglers have completed Bear Safety Training and will assess each bear encounter and respond in such a way to minimize conflict.

No. In fact, bear spray is prohibited on our horseback rides. Horses and bear spray do not mix. It is extremely likely that attempting to use bear spray will inadvertently affect the horses instead of the bear. 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 and mules are actually your best defense against bears that you may see on trail.

No, you do not need to know how to ride. 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 choosing a 1 or 2-hour ride.

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

It is likely that you will be sore, as horseback riding uses many muscles and joints in ways that you may not be used to using them. The most frequent area of complaint is pain or stiffness in the knee. 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 you ride, we recommend strolling around a bit to “walk it off” before hopping back in your car.

It is a common misconception that riding is easier than walking. Horseback riding uses many muscles and joints in ways that you may not be accustomed to, 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.

If you cannot reasonable hike the same trail as that of your ride, it is not recommended to ride it and to choose a ride that is shorter and/or over milder terrain.

Glacier National Park spans over a million acres, making it virtually impossible to list all the amazing things you might see. In a nutshell, you can expect to see shady forests, stellar mountains, glacier-carved valleys, alpine vistas, aquamarine streams and lakes, wildflowers, and potentially wildlife like deer, coyotes, and bears.

For more information about what to expect on each ride, check out our ride descriptions for rides inside Glacier National Park and at our West Glacier Corral.

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

Our staff are knowledgeable and friendly people dedicated to making your experience one to remember. If your wrangler does a great job on trail, feel free to show your appreciation by tipping them as you would a waiter or waitress.

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 tour, lodging, horseback ride, guided hike), 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.

Lean more about Accessing the Park.

Please visit this page to see our offerings and rates.

Our policy is to collect full payment when the ride is booked.

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.

Please read our refund policy here

Yes! However, you must speak with one of our reservationists and pay over the phone. Please DO NOT attempt to use your card using our online booking system. This could result in multiple attempted charges which puts a hold on your card for the full amount each time you try. The card will not process fully online without a US Zip Code.

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

We tend to recommend shorter rides (1 or 2 hours) for large groups, families with kids, and novice riders. Half-day and full-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 are worried about your comfort and stamina, you can book several shorter rides at each corral! This way, you see lots of the Park without 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 Which Ride Should You Choose? page for more advice.

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

Our half day and full day rides cannot be booked online. You must submit an inquiry or call us to reserve.

If you are paying with an international credit card, you must submit an inquiry or call us to reserve.

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

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

As of February 22, 2010, people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws are able to legally possess firearms in Glacier National Park.

If you are going on a half day or full day ride, we recommend bringing 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 from the chalet for $19.50. Let our reservation staff know you are interested in lunch at the chalet at your time of booking.