Medicine Lodge Horse Drive Idaho USA If you have ever rounded up and driven horses in miles of open country, you know it's not just a ride in the park! Driving horses 20 miles a day through all kinds of terrain is a real adventure! It's possibly the most exciting thing you have ever done on horseback. It can be hot and it can be cold, it can be wet or dry or dusty, it can be fast and then slow, it can be challenging yet relaxing. It's a horse drive and anything can happen because it's the real thing! Lynn, Lana and their family invite you to join them on selected dates and act as a wrangler as you participate in driving approximately 40 horses through miles of open country to their spring, summer or fall pastures. You will ride in an area of natural beauty with abundant wildlife including elk, bald headed eagles, coyotes and ground hogs. In the mornings you will awake to the smell of fresh coffee brewing over the fire and sizzling hot cakes on the griddle! Life just doesn’t get any better than this! During the day we round-up and drive the horses through desert canyon country and explore the fascinating countryside. At the end of the day there will not be a more welcome sight than riding over the ridge with the herd of horses, and spotting the chuck wagon and camp waiting for us.  Dinner is cooked over the open fire, a perfect end to another perfect day, with a hot and delicious meal, new friends and lots of stories and laughter about the day’s adventures! You will no doubt be ready to retire for the evening afterward to your tent or sleep under the stars if you wish, it's exhilarating! If you're looking for a fast paced cowboy adventure filled with hard working fun, a Medicine Lodge Horse Drive is just the thing for you. Your accommodations are simple yet nice, well suited to the sort of  rustic fun vacation we offer. There is no electricity at the ranch, all rooms and cabins have propane lighting. The hot outdoor shower is a favorite for all guests. During the May trip dates we drive 80 to 100 head of horses from the winter to the summer pastures - on all other dates we drive 40 to 50 horses between the summer and fall pastures. Horse Drive Camping Ride with pack horses Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Ranch near Dubois or airport 3:30PM Airport: Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) Transfer: Idaho Falls Riders: Min 5 riders Max 14 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 14 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Minimum Deposit: ~$2,000.00 per person

Gratuity: 10 % (to be paid locally)

Tax: 6 %    

Transfer and Other Charges:

Arrival transfers are Mondays at 3:30 pm from motels in town. Departures from ranch are 10 am, arriving in Idaho Falls around 11:30 am. Early/late transfers incur additional charges.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival
We will pick you up for 3:30pm from Idaho Falls, or feel free to drive to our ranch to arrive around 5:00pm. Meet and greet with other riders and be assigned to your cabin. Enjoy our welcome dinner and feel free to enjoy some ranch activities such as rope, horse shoes, hiking, or simply relaxing. (no riding)
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Cow Camp

Day 2 (Tuesday): Introductory Ride
Meet your mount and listen to our riding instructions. Then, spend the day riding through mountain terrain (making sure every rider is confident at a walk, trot, and lope). We want you to trust your horse completely before leaving for the horse drive.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Cow Camp

Day 3 (Wednesday): Start of Horse Drive
You will enjoy a hearty breakfast and pack your bags for the horse drive. Remember to pack enough clothing for 2 full days of camping! We drive the herd from Middle Creek to Warm Springs campsite. Our gear will meet us at the campsite and we unload and prepare for dinner. Camp activities include bathing in natural warm springs, enjoying the campfire, playing games/ songs, and enjoying starry skies. This will be your first night in the tents.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at Warm Springs

Day 4 (Thursday): Horse Drive from Warm Springs to Weber Creek
Wake up surrounded in the beauty of nature and start your day with a delicious breakfast! Today we leave Warm Springs and head to Weber Creek campsite. Today's drive will be steeper and more scenic than the day before. 
Upon arriving at the Weber Camp you’ll find that your bedding and gear are already set up and waiting for you.
Dinner & activities in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at Weber Creek

Day 5 (Friday): Horse Drive from Weber Creek to the Ranch
After another great breakfast, we will help break camp, gather and saddle our horses. Round up the herd and get them headed to their final destination - the ranch! You will arrive back to the ranch for that hot outdoor shower and a cold drink, rewards for a job well done! We will end the day with a farewell dinner, lots of stories and a good nights rest in your cabin.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Cow Camp

Day 6 (Saturday): Departure
By now you have rode many miles and go back with memories for a lifetime. When you return to the fast paced life of the city you will close your eyes, smell the coffee and the fresh mountain air, see yourself riding through the beautiful mountain ranges of Medicine Lodge Idaho, and this will get you through until we see you next time!  
Meals included: Breakfast

                                                Dubois area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	29	34	44	56	67	77	86	85	74	59	41	30
Average Low Temperature (°F)	13	16	24	32	40	47	54	52	44	34	23	14
Average High Temperature (°C)	-2	1	6	13	19	25	30	30	24	15	5	-1
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-10	-9	-4	0	4	8	12	11	7	1	-5	-10
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	4	3	4	5	7	5	4	3	3	3	4	5

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The ranch is located near the Targhee National Forest (in the mountains) where the days are usually quite warm and the nights tend to cool off a bit. However, always come prepared because the weather can change fast in the mountains. We recommend bring warms clothes just in case.

The last 10 years average weather temperatures during each month we operate our trips at the Ranch are as follows:
May: 65°F / 18°C
June: 74°F / 23°C
July: 84°F / 29°C
August: 83°F / 28°C
September: 72°F / 22°C

Below is a list of suggested items to bring with you on your World Famous Horse Drive Vacation:
- Cowboy Boots or Boots with a heel
- Cowboy Hat or Riding Helmet
- Pants/Trousers
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Buff/Neck Gaiter
- Flashlight 
- Rain Jacket & Warm Coat
- Camera/ GoPro
- Sun Screen
- Bug Spray
- Swim Suit
- Water Shoes
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Chapstick
- Wet wipes
- Personal Items
- Travel shampoo, conditioner, shower gel 
- Cash for souvenirs- the ranch does not accept credit cards

If you would like a cold beer, glass of wine, rum and Coke etc. after a long day of riding, please bring your own alcohol.  We do not furnish alcohol at either the ranch or during the camping portion. However, if you are welcome to bring and enjoy your own!  Please note, that on Sundays, the state if Idaho does not sell liquor.  You can however purchase beer and wine from somewhere, for example, like Walmart.

Average ratings from 75 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date jane crowe 8/14/2018 klaus melby 7/10/2017 sabine schaack 7/23/2016 julia zhogina 8/25/2015 ulrike ripp 11/11/2014 doug lofstrom 10/21/2014 doug lofstrom 10/21/2014 josée croisetière 9/9/2014 orit hemmo 6/18/2014 pieter kilian 6/18/2014 stanislava strebakova 6/17/2014 veronica gluecksmann 10/23/2013 karen goncalves 9/11/2013 yvonne benn 8/1/2013 emmanuel tanner 6/25/2013 karolina nowakowski 6/24/2013 cat harrington 10/17/2012 cherie whorrall 6/17/2012 anna suarez 10/25/2011 jim mallas 10/11/2011 maureen de brie 10/3/2011 donna winward 8/23/2011 manuela guerth 8/1/2011 sara 8/1/2011 lauren sorel 7/6/2011 uwe seelig 6/27/2011 salzgeber susanne 6/25/2011 lena lundgren 5/31/2011 robb huff 10/20/2010 rose torres 10/17/2010 tim fennell 10/16/2010 audrey dykes 8/7/2010 susan daley 8/1/2010 elisabeth sopwith 6/23/2010 anna scott 6/15/2010 dawn gardiner 6/14/2010 elinor hughes 6/12/2010 rachel padfield 6/8/2010 ina-marlene ruthenberg 11/1/2009 peter lehmann 10/17/2009 joshua baker 10/17/2009 muriel degerine 10/12/2009 robb huff 10/9/2009 joyce van ewijk 10/6/2009 tim fennell 10/4/2009 berneice brownell 8/16/2009 fiona gordon 8/9/2009 marshall glick 7/12/2009 diana dawson 6/24/2009 howard blaukopf 6/15/2009 marilyn witt enbom 6/14/2009 thomas jachertz 11/28/2008 francesca hughes 10/21/2008 diana troyk 10/20/2008 tim fennell 10/19/2008 tim fennell 10/10/2008 mark licari 9/18/2008 james nordmann 9/15/2008 alejo palleja collings 8/25/2008 lucy hennessy 7/15/2008 jennifer noel 6/23/2008 heather orkney 6/15/2008 adriana vanmunsteren 9/11/2007 joe hogan 8/27/2007 kathy wilson 8/13/2007 angie stewart 8/9/2007 jeff smart 8/2/2007 sharon mccarthy 7/2/2007 laine raia 7/2/2007 claudia strobl 7/1/2007 stefan tange 6/21/2007 alison end 5/7/2007 nicole alpino 7/11/2006 kathleen diller 7/3/2006 sally walker

Accommodations
This is a horse drive where you will spend a combination of nights in a bunkhouse and camping.

Description
You will be spending 3 nights in a bunkhouse 'Cow Camp' and 2 nights camping.
Please, note that there is no cellphone coverage and no Wi-Fi available during this trip!

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Cow Camp (Ranch)
Night 3-5: Camping
Night 6: Cow Camp (Ranch)


Cow Camp
The accommodations are very simple, yet quite nice at the same time. The buildings are kept very clean. There is NO electricity at the ranch - all rooms and cabins have propane lighting. The hot shower is a favorite for all guests - it is outdoors on 6'x6' redwood floors with redwood sides for privacy -  like in the Old Western movies!  At first if you think this is too rustic for you, but you may be very pleasantly surprised how much you come to love it! The bathrooms are outhouse style, but kept very clean for your use. There is a log cook cabin with a kitchen and a dining and living room for relaxing and socializing in. There is no smoking in the cabins or rooms! We have a designated area called "Marlboro Country" if you would like a cigarette! There will be no cell phone reception at the ranch or the drive!

Room options
-5 rooms in the bunkhouse (2 guests per rooms)
-2 cabins (3-4 riders per cabin)
-2 full-size beds and one in the loft each


Camping
The tents sleep 2 to 4 riders per tent. We use Spring Bar canvas tents. You will be sleeping on the ground, but we provide you with ground mat, sleeping bags, and a pillow. However, feel free to bring your own if you prefer.  There is an outhouse tent for a toilet at each camp, kept clean at all times.  If you want to bathe, you can use the nearby springs or creek.  Please bring biodegradable soap if possible!

Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy is possible in the bunkhouse and tents.
If you are traveling as a solo rider, we will pair you with a rider of the same gender. If you are completely uncomfortable sharing your accommodation please let us know before hand and we will see what we can do.




Meals
All meals are included in this trip from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day.

The food is home-style and locally grown- guarantee to fill you up and leave you satisfied! Meals will be cooked on the fire and in our chuck wagon. We will eat on the trail around the campfire.

If you would like a cold beer, glass of wine, rum and Coke etc after a long day of riding, please bring your own alcohol. 

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarterhorse, Appaloosas
Pace:		Strong Intermediate, all paces with canters and gallops. Approx. 5-6 hours in saddle (15-20 miles per day) | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 to 5 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Age:		Min 18
Weight:		Max 240 lbs / 110 kg
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 14 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 14

Riding Experience
You must be a strong rider!! Please do not overestimate your skills - if you have any reservations we highly recommend taking some riding lessons to brush up! There are many awesome gallops, trees and steep hills to navigate! If you are up to the challenge, it is a ride of a life time!

Pace
We cover approximately 15-20 miles per day on horseback from 5-6 hours. We ride at all paces.

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).

Passport Note

(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.

(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.

(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).



The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.

ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

 

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:

1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.

Visa Note

(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.

Validity

Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.

Applications to:

Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/2
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	1
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.