Trail ride through the old Wild West America
North America > United States

Spectacular Three Park Trail (15 days)

An incredible trail ride across the border between Utah and Arizona. Wide open spaces contrast with narrow canyons on this incredible horseback trail through the old Wild West. This extended version of the classic Three Park Trail offers the possibility to spend more days in the saddle and visit some of the most impressive parks in the area.
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Trail Riding
15 days / 9 days riding
From £3,835
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Itinerary

Highlights

- Visit some of the greatest natural wonders of the West
- Cowboys, chuck wagons, canyons and prairies .... the pure Old Wild West!
- Experience breathtaking canters towards infinite horizons
- Be welcomed into this cowboy family and leave as friends.
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  • Day 1 1: LONDON - ST GEORGE

    Fly from London to St George (c. 9 hour flight) and spend the night in a hotel. Flights are not included but can be arranged on request.

    Meet the group at the hotel and enjoy the first dinner together. Overnight in St George.

    Please note that the transfers are not included (check "Dates&Prices" to know more).

  • Day 2 2: SAINT GEORGE - PARIA - No riding

    Camp
    After breakfast, you will be transferred to Paria, the location where this riding holiday takes place.
    Upon arrival, you will have a chance to meet the horses and the local team. The horses will be assigned to each rider and there is a quick introduction to western riding.

    Overnight in tents.

  • Day 3 3: PARIA - 5h riding

    Camp
    First day exploring around camp. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the horses, get accustomed to the equipment, and experience western riding. Cross the Paria River to discover the remains of an ancient Mormont village on the other side. After this historical stop, continue your journey, follow the river, and cross a canyon with red rock walls. A valley to cross to reach the trail provides some nice controlled canters. Enter the "Box Canyon," which is much narrower; you can almost touch the walls, but beware of quicksand! Lunch break in the shade of trees, then return to camp through a new canyon with red rocks.

  • Day 4 4: PARIA CANYON - SHEEP CREEK - WILLIS CREEK - 7 hours riding

    Camp
    Begin your ride in the Grand Staircase-Escalante Park. The route winds through a series of inaccessible red rock canyons. Ascend the Paria River, have a picnic at Rock Spring in a grove of Virginia poplar trees. At a bend in the Paria River, enter the Sheep Creek tributary canyon, where the rock gradually transitions from red to white. Rejoin the support vehicle at the camp in the high valley of Willis Creek, where the landscape widens and becomes forested. On the distant horizon, the setting sun sets fire to the pink cliffs of Bryce Canyon.

  • Day 5 5: WILLIS CREEK - BRYCE CANYON - CHICKEN SPRINGS - 8h riding

    Camp
    A long riding day today following Willis Creek through a forest of giant Ponderosa pines. Gradually climb up into Dixie National Forest and up to the cliffs of Bryce Canyon. Camp in a clearing amongst an aspen forest at Chicken Springs.

  • Day 6 6: CHICKEN SPRINGS - PINE SPRINGS - 7 hours riding

    Camp
    This morning, reunite with your horse and resume your journey along a long path that winds to plateaus over 2,890m, overlooking the magnificent amphitheater of pink cliffs and a vast landscape of plains and mesas. Picnic in a small grove of aspens. Descend along East Fork Creek to leave the Bryce plateau. The landscapes change over the hours; you leave the Ponderosa pine forest and cross many large high-altitude meadows dotted with tall fir trees. Continue through Swapp Canyon and finally arrive in the lush green valley of Kanab Creek. Short pickup transfer (horses will be trailered out) to Pine Springs. Dinner around the campfire.

  • Day 7 7: PINE SPRINGS - BRYCE CANYON - No riding

    Camp
    Well-deserved rest day for horses and riders. Head to the famous Bryce Canyon Park (about 1.5 hours drive). A short hike allows you to see the most beautiful viewpoints in the park, then in the evening, your guide takes you to a local rodeo held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings during the season. Dinner to your own account, rodeo admission included. Return and overnight at the camp.

  • Day 8 8: PINE SPRINGS - 5 hrs riding

    Camp
    After breakfast, set out for a loop ride from your Pine Springs camp. Ride across the sand dunes, weaving between pines, junipers, cacti, and creeping bushes. Be amazed by the agility and sure-footedness of your horses. Once atop the dunes, enjoy a breathtaking view of the arid plateaus of red rocks extending around you. Traverse the vegetation and unexpectedly emerge on a vast platform of red sandstone offering an unbeatable view of a wide canyon. Lunch on this immense platform, then depart towards Moccasin Mountain, an ancient Navajo territory where Indian legends await. Long canter in a sandy riverbed, then return to camp. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

  • Day 9 9: PINE SPRING - YELLOWSTONE MESA - 6,5 hours riding

    Camp
    Today you leave Utah behind and enter Arizona. The horses are happy to be on firmer ground for these days where you ride from one watering point to another. This semi-desert landscape allows you to spread out and perhaps startle Jack rabbits and antelopes to scatter before you as the large spaces invite fast canters. There may be the possibility to try your hand at driving the wagon. Camp is set up at Yellowstone Mesa where there are 360 degree views across to the horizon.

  • Day 10 10: YELLOWSTONE MESA - ANTELOPE VALLEY - MOUNT TRUMBULL - 6 hours riding

    Camp
    Today offers a beautiful descent from the plateau to a lowland, terminating with volcanoes. It's the Wild West - dry and arid under a baking sun. Break in the shade of a cowboy cabin near a corral where the horses rest. A long crossing across the plains until, on the horizon, amongst the chain of volcanoes and Antelope Valley you find the truck for a short transfer (30mins) to the foot of Mount Trumbull. Camp is set up in a forest where you may hear the call of coyotes.

  • Day 11 11: MOUNT TRUMBULL - MOUNT LOGAN - 5 hours riding

    Camp
    Shorter ride on horseback around Mount Logan and the Kaibab forest, home to an endemic squirrel species and families of deer. Beautiful views of the Antelope Valley and the plains you have just crossed and the string of volcanoes on the horizon. On the other side, you can see a rift and the beginnings of the Grand Canyon!

    Back to the camp in the afternoon and dinner.

  • Day 12 12: MOUNT TRUMBULL - GRAND CANYON - 5,5 hours riding

    Camp
    Set out riding through the forest, following the veins in the volcanic rocks. Here you may discover Indian rock carvings from the Anasazi tribe. After a dizzying descent into the vast, arid Toroweap valley you ride along a track and the horizon suddenly becomes clearer and widens as the immense Grand Canyon comes into view. The ride ends there, on the lookout point at Toroweap, with the green ribbon of the Colorado river flowing 1,500m below you and the Grand Canyon unfolding in a gigantic ampitheatre of multi-coloured mineral curtains. Say goodbye to your horses and watch the sunset over the canyon from your campsite.

  • Day 13 13: GRAND CANYON - SAINT GEORGE - No riding

    After breakfast, transfer back to Saint George (c. 3hr drive) for lunch and a final chance to shop in the Western stores.
    Your guide will propose a farewell dinner in a restaurant (not included).

    Overnight in a hotel.

  • Day 14 14: ST GEORGE - EUROPE - No riding

    Airport transfer according to your flight schedule and flight home (to your own account).

    Please note that today's breakfast is at your own account.

  • Day 15 15: HOME

    Arrival back home in the morning.

Dates & prices

Price details

- International flights are not included.

- Groups comprise of 6 - 12 international riders plus guides

- If you sign up to the ride as a solo rider and there are no other riders likely to share your room in St George, you will be charged a single room supplement of approx. £135/€150/$160. You will then be reimbursed if a sharer is found for you at a later date. 

- Single tent supplement on the ride: £75/€70/$65. This will not be invoiced if you are willing to share.

- Rider weight limit: 100 kg/220 lbs/15,7 stones. Riders weighing more than 90 kg should contact us before booking.

- An electronic travel authorisation (ESTA) is required to enter the USA. It is your responsibility to organise this. Please visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and contact us if you need help.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Price includes

Support Team

1 English-speaking horse guide

Logistic

1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider
1 groom
1 cook
1 vehicle and driver
1 local team

Inland transports

Private bus as described in the itinerary

Accommodation

2 person tents and foam mattress
Double/3-bed room in hotel standard 2/3* in St George

Meals

Full board from lunch on D2 to breakfast on D13 (except dinner on rodeo day)

Extras

Gratuity

Price doesn't include

Meals

Beverage and personal extra
Dinner on rodeo day

Transports

International flights bookable on request
Visa fees (ESTA) which must be arranged in advance
Airport transfers from/to your St George hotel

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurances are not included. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend to take out an insurance policy as soon as your travel is booked in case of cancellation.

Optional

Accommodation

Single room supplement in St George
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    30/05/2024 13/06/2024 £3,835 €4,410 $4,755
    Guaranteed departure
    		Book now

Equestrian info

Horses

Working horses including mustangs, paints and quarter horses. They are well trained, forward going, confident and independent.

Guide & local team

The Heaton family will be your hosts for this adventure.
The father, Mel, used to be lead guide and is now Camp manager.
Justin, his son, is a true cowboy at heart. Always attentive to your needs, he is always happy to help you learn more about the area.
Several wranglers work for them - Cadie, Houston, Jason...

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

You need to be an experienced rider who is used to riding across varied terrain for several hours. There are some long riding days and the pace can be fast at times. There are some areas of difficult terrain.

Rider weight limit: 100 kg/220 lbs/15,7 stones. Riders weighing more than 90 kg should contact us before booking.

Pace

There are long stretches of walk as the terrain is very demanding and horses need to complete the whole ride, but there are opportunities for some faster riding across the plains and prairies.

Tacking ability and participation

Everyone is expected to assist in caring for the horses (tacking up, un-tacking etc) and setting up camp (erecting tents and helping prepare meals).

Trip conditions and Requested experience

You need to be physically fit. There are some long days (up to 8 hours riding) at the start of the ride. The ground is uneven and you have to be able to trust your horse to find his way. On some occasions you may be asked to dismount and lead your horse on foot. This ride is not recommended for riders who are scared of heights. The camp is also basic.

Equestrian equipment

Western saddles and bridles.
Saddlebags are provided.
We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit.

Travel info

Comfort

In Saint George you stay in a 2 star hotel in double or triple rooms.
Whilst on the trail you camp in two-man tents with foam mattresses provided. You should take your own sleeping bags.

Meals

- Copious breakfasts with a choice of sweet and savoury options
- Picnic lunches
- Hot meals at dinner (meat, potatoes, vegetables and salad)

Water will be available at Camp.
Alcohol is not provided but you are welcome to bring your own drink.

Please make sure to advise us in advance of any dietary requirements you may have.

Climate

The climate is that of a mid-latitude desert with relatively moderate temperatures. Annual temperatures average 20°C.
- June and May are very dry and hot (15-30°C) with cool nights.
- Summers (June-September) are long, hot and sunny (c. 30°C). Nights average 10-15°C. A few showers and the occasional thunder storm are possible.
- Expect extremely hot weather in Las Vegas - up to 45°C in the summer.




Tips

Tips are compulsory in USA, the team expects 15/20% of the cost of the ride.

Packing list

Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit. There are many lightweight options available nowadays
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
- Warm hat for cold nights when camping

Upper body
- Thermals (long or short sleeved)
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm fleece or jumper (and a spare in case one gets wet)
- Warm and waterproof jacket - it can rain at any time of year and the evenings can be particularly cold
- Swimming costume - for swimming/bathing in rivers/hot springs

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Thermals
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms
- Waterproof over trousers

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps as an extra layer against inclement weather. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Waterproof shoes/boots can be useful for abundant dew in the mornings or when it rains
- Trainers or equivalent light shoes for moving around the camp in the evenings
- Several pairs of warm, thick socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, cold or rain whilst riding. Waterproof gloves can be particularly useful

Nightwear
- Sleeping bag. You need at least a comfort factor down to minus 5 celsius, but would recommend at least minus 8 or 10 celsius
- Sleeping bag liner - silk, cotton or fleece - adds an extra layer
- inflatable mattress
- Pyjamas or tracksuits or thermals for sleeping in

Other useful items
- Towels - camping ones will both dry and pack more easily
- Small backpack for accessing items required during the day (carried by support crew)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night - bring spare batteries and bulbs
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre)
- Swiss army knife
- Field glasses
- Wet Wipes or equivalent (for when washing facilities aren't available)
- Toilet paper and a lighter to burn it with
- Small plastic bags for rubbish
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)

Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Water purification tablets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel

Our Recommendations
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided with a capacity of 60-80 litres. We recommend taking a backpack or similar.
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- Even if foam mattresses are provided, you may pack your inflatable mattress for comfort sake.
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- Please take your rubbish home with you. There are no recycling facilities, so take your used batteries, aerosols etc back home and dispose of them appropriately. Try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling
- If you prefer travelling in a "light way" please choose a biodegradable soap or washing powder/liquid.


In your hold luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag. We recommend biodegradable washing products where possible.
- Swiss army knife (or equivalent)

In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes is highly recommended - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!

Sustainable tourism

  1. Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
  2. Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
  3. Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
  4. Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
  5. Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
  6. Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.

For more information please see this page.

Did you know?

Did you know?

The Stetson : A Legendary Hat

This is an indispensable element of your horseback riding holiday or trail ride in the United States!

The stetson was invented by the American John B. Stetson in the 1860s. 

It was during a stay in the American West that he invented a felt hat with very wide edges, perfectly suited to the cowboys lifestyle. 

Felt is waterproof and resistant: it is better suited to the climate of the West than the traditional straw hats and its large brims protect the eyes and the neck from the sun.
 
This hat was first sold in Central City, Colorado under the name "Boss of the Plains". It was later renamed "stetson" in reference to its inventor.