Horseback Riding
Either rent a horse for the afternoon or bring your own and enjoy a stay at one of the many horse-friendly hotels.
Dusty Trails, LLC
North Platte
Dusty Trails is the ideal location for outdoor adventure. Providing opportunities for horseback riding, tanking, tubing, canoeing, or kayaking down the North Platte River. At the end of the day there is always the option of the petting zoo.
Nebraska National Forest – Pine Ridge Ranger District
Chadron Area
South of Chadron and surrounding nearby Crawford are approximately 80 miles of trails in the largest section of Nebraska’s National Forest. The 140,000 acres of the Pine Ridge Ranger District include breathtaking hiking, biking and horseback-riding through wide-open spaces.
Our Heritage Guest Ranch
Crawford
Sixteen miles northwest of Crawford and a quick jump from Toadstool Geologic Park is Our Heritage Guest Ranch. Riding lessons are available and there are 26 indoor stalls, and several paddocks and corrals to board horses. The rides take you over 3,600 acres abundant with wildlife.
PO Box 48
1041 Toadstool Rd.
Crawford NE 69339
1041 Toadstool Rd.
Crawford NE 69339
Photo by Nebraska Tourism
Chadron State Park
Chadron Area
Chadron State Park was Nebraska’s first state park. It encompasses nearly 1,000 acres of Pine Ridge wilderness nine miles south of Chadron on Highway 385. A swimming pool and sand volleyball courts elevate the fun, and mountain bikes and paddle boats are for rent.
Fort Robinson State Park
Crawford Area
Fort Robinson State Park is one of Nebraska’s most popular attractions. Visitors can enjoy cookouts, trail rides, hiking, and a summer repertory theater at the Post Playhouse. Fort Robinson is open mid-April through mid-November. A state park permit is required.
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
North Platte Area
Working to preserve natural resources, the Nebraska Game and Parks provides education and management of lands, fish hatcheries, and regulation of hunting or fishing.
301 East State Farm Rd
North Platte, NE 69101
North Platte, NE 69101
Photo by Nebraska Tourism
Ponderosa Ranch
Crawford Area
Ponderosa Ranch offers guests as young as 4 years old with riding options from May through October. Eight gentle quarter horses take you through 3,600 acres of pines, meadows, ravines and creek with greetings from mule deer and Merriam’s wild turkey. Corrals are available for your own horses.
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
Valentine Area
Located south of Nenzel in Cherry County, this 116,000-acre national forest is a fantastic representation of the unique Nebraska Sandhills prairie ecosystem. Popular uses of the forest include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and bird watching.