“Truly it may be said that the outside of a mountain is good for the inside of a man.”  This quote by author George Wherry sums up what many people have felt while trail riding on horseback.  Experiencing nature by taking a horse pack trip through the stunning scenery of the Canadian mountains can be a soul-searching, fun, and unique experience.

Horse pack riding adventure trips vary in what they offer to vacationers in regard to comfort level and daily activities. A typical horse pack trip includes daily trail rides that are led by an experienced guide but some may offer the freedom for some independent riding. Guests may take day trips and return the same camp each night; others may move from location to location during the vacation utilizing teams of horses and covered wagons. A common element of horse pack trips is mixing the trail rides with other nature activities such as fishing, canoeing, or hiking on foot. Guests may get the opportunity to learn how First Nations lived by introducing them to the ways natives gathered food, constructed living quarters, and the philosophies they lived by. There are even some horse pack trips that allow guests to hunt wild game and are led by a seasoned hunter and riding guide.

Accommodations on horse pack trips can range from the very rugged to the posh. To get the real essence of an outdoor ranching or riding adventure, visitors may want to sleep in primitive tents in a sleeping bag on a cot. Visitors are often required to bring their own sleeping gear and personal essentials while the stable hands and organizers supply the rest. Most packages include all meals made with ingredients reflective of the old west.

Horse pack trip in the Canadian Rockies - Photo courtesy of Anchor D Outfitting

The climate in Alberta, Canada, ranges from pleasant and warm in the spring and summer months to cold but still sunny in the autumn and winter months, so make sure to pack according to the season. As the winter snow melts, the terrain will be wet, so a good pair of boots is essential. Bring enough clothes to layer and do not forget sunglasses or a brimmed hat.

Vacationers will find numerous areas in Alberta that offer a variety of fantastic horse pack, trail riding, and dude ranch vacation options. The Canadian Rocky Mountains run through several locales and national parks and are the setting for many to most of these holiday outings. Jasper and Banff in Alberta both have national parks that are home to some of the world’s rarest animals as well as boasting some of the best water rafting and scenery in the world. The rolling mountainsides of Cochrane to the more rugged terrain of Bragg Creek offer novice and experienced riders a pleasurable and exceptional riding experience. There are countless horse pack and trail riding adventures available in Alberta; decide what kind of accommodations and degree of ruggedness you want and you will find an appropriate holiday.

Vacations spent on a dude ranch or a horse pack trail ride allow visitors to live and play like the cowboys did. These vacations offer time away from the hustle and bustle of our modernized lives. Alberta, Canada, is one the most beautiful places in the world and getting intimate with its natural wonders through the experience of a horse pack trail ride is one of the coolest adventures a person can have.