Canyons & Wild Horses Tour Utah USA The San Rafael Swell is 2,800 square miles of uninhabited wilderness of the American West where outlaws used to hide from the law and Native Americans made their home. The Swell is a gigantic bubble in the earth’s crust which has eroded into a maze of deep, multi-hued canyons punctured by the mesas, buttes, and pinnacles typical of the world famous canyonlands geography. Riders will discover intricate trails established by native Americans, herdsmen and outlaws during the day, then hear stories about these trailblazers while relaxing around the campfire at night. Always a highlight of the trips are views of mustangs or bighorn sheep which occur frequently. From a deluxe basecamp riders will visit Red Canyon, The Penitentiary, The Chute, Muddy River Gorge, Chimney Canyon Gorge, Head of Sinbad, Courthouse Butte, Family Butte, Golden Gate, Twin Priests, Devil’s Monument, Devil’s Racetrack, Joe and his Dog, Sid’s Mountain, Swasey Arch, Dutchman Arch, Saddle Horse Canyon, Cold Canyon, The Snake Dance pictographs, South Fork pictographs, The Blue Man pictographs, and more. Camping Ride with vehicle support Family Vacation Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Torrey Airport: Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) Transfer: Salt Lake City or Las Vegas Riders: Min 2 riders Max 10 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Tax: 6.1 %    

Pick-up / Drop-off is available from Salt Lake City and/or Las Vegas Airport but best to rent a car.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The San Rafael Wilderness is not issuing permits for horseback riding trips this year so this program will be replaced by a different one in 2022.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Note: This is a sample itinerary for two of several camps we may use. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit. 

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival
Arrive in scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your accommodation (to be confirmed at the time of reservation). Torrey is located near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park. Meet at 7:00pm for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip's interpretative specialist.
Meals included: none
Overnight at the Hotel

Day 2 (Tuesday): Ride to Basecamp
After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to our headquarters. Here, we'll pack your gear in the 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart around 9 am for our trailhead near Penitentiary Canyon or at the Head of Sinbad.
From the Penitentiary trailhead you'll ride to the mouth of Red Canyon, past Tomsich Butte, by Hondoo Arch, and on to our basecamp at the old mining camp on Muddy Creek.
From the Sinbad Trailhead you'll visit Locomotive Point, Devil's Race Track, Twin Priests and the Golden Gate before arriving at basecamp in Cold Canyon.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Basecamp

Day 3 (Wednesday): Full Day Ride
After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Muddy Creek basecamp you'll visit Red Canyon Narrows, Courthouse & Family Buttes or The Chute and Penitentiary Canyon before returning to camp situated under majestic cottonwoods along the picturesque stream.
From the Cold Canyon basecamp you'll ride thru the Golden Gate to Bullock Canyon and the Blue Man pictograph panel, then on to the South Fork of Coal Wash and the pictograph panel there before returning to the hot showers and cold drinks at the slickrock canyon basecamp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Basecamp

Day 4 (Thursday): Full Day Ride
From the Muddy Creek camp you'll explore the upper reaches of the Muddy Gorge where it meanders through the splendidly colored slickrock of Triassic sandstones. Mustangs are numerous along the stream where they come for water from their pastures in the deep side canyons.
From the Cold Canyon location you'll ride to the Long Neck for views of Swasey Arch, Saddle Horse Canyon and upper Cold Canyon. After lunch, you'll ride up the McCarty Canyon trail to the head of Mesquite Canyon where a promontory point will provide a striking vista encompassing all the country you've covered during your trip.
You will always arrive back at camp with plenty of daylight and time to clean up and enjoy hors d'oeuvres before dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Basecamp

Day 5 (Friday): Back to Torrey
After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you'll ride to McKay Flat via Red Canyon and the Grey Breaks. This route will take us to a favorite watering spring of the wild horses and furnish breath-taking panoramas of the country you've visited on your trip. At trail’s end you'll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a vehicle ride over the San Rafael Swell to Torrey, arriving in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

                                                Torrey area 

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	46	48	54	59	67	79	83	80	74	63	52	44
Average Low Temperature (°F)	18	19	26	32	40	49	54	53	46	36	25	17
Average High Temperature (°C)	8	9	12	15	19	26	28	26	23	17	11	7
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-8	-7	-4	0	4	10	12	12	8	2	-4	-8
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	2	1	2	2	2	1	4	5	3	2	2	1

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Utah's portion of the Colorado Plateau region is a semi-arid tableland. It is generally dry with most precipitation falling as snow in the winter and occasional thunder storms during the summer. Higher elevations are cooler and receive more moisture than lower environs. Our trips explore the lower, slick rock and pinyon-juniper forested areas. With warm days and cool nights, it is best to layer your clothing to maintain comfort and you should always pack rain gear just in case.

We recommend that you: 1) pack compactly and light, 2) pack practically and with a utilitarian eye, and, 3) pack so you may layer clothing for warmth. 

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING: 
- mask & hand sanitizer
- wide-brimmed hat with a string
- gloves
- heeled, smooth-soled, riding boots    
- bandanas (for dust)
- gloves (for protection from sun and debris)
- swimsuit
- underwear and socks 
- long-sleeved shirts and pants          
- sweater, medium and/or heavyweight jackets- the season and the trip elevation will dictate.    
- quality raincoat and pants (We don't often use them but always have them) - No ponchos
- camera and plenty of batteries (Padded travel case is recommended.)
- dark glasses and plenty of sunscreen
- flashlight/ headlamp
- personal articles:  towel, soap, bandanas, insect repellent (Avon's Skin-So-Soft or Off! Botanicals for gnats)
- lip balm, moisturizing lotion, toothbrush and paste, band-aids, moleskin, etc...
- liquor and/beer if you wish to purchase alcohol, the State-operated liquor store is open Tues. thru Sat. noon-7 PM.  Beer is available in grocery stores.
- cash gratuities for guides/staff 15-20% is the suggested standard.


We provide:   
- Chairs.
- Toilets and Showers
- Waterproof/dustproof bags for transporting your things to camp
- Tent, Sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and blanket, mattress, cot & Thermarest,
- Saddlebags
- Water Bottles
- Riding helmet (This is an optional item except for riders under l8 years of age. Stipulations of our insurance require that riders should be encouraged to wear helmets.)

** No trip reports found with the tour ID you provided.

Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride where most nights are spent camping.

Description
On this ride we spend the first night in a hotel or Inn in Torrey (you will be notified the selection at the time of booking) and the 3 remaining nights are spent camping at one basecamp.

Accommodation Itinerary
Night 1: Hotel in Torrey
Nights 2-4: Camping

It is possible to ask to book a hotel night for after the tour (extra fee applies).

Camping
All our rides utilize a base camp arrangement with daily forays to different points of interest. This allows us to spend less time packing and unpacking, and more time riding and seeing the country. Basecamps are located in primitive, backcountry areas, which we seldom use more than once or twice each season. Camp elevations are typically situated in higher elevations in mid-summer and lower elevations in spring and fall seasons. 

Sensitive to the fragile environment, we employ low-impact camping techniques, small group sizes and well-maintained equipment. All camping equipment is provided (cots, mattresses, inflatable pads, freshly laundered sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and showers). Guests stay in tents (similar to wall tents, but with floors with adequate standing room) for single or double occupancy.
Our basecamps are supported by four-wheel drive vehicles, bringing what is needed for cooking, eating, a shower tent, luggage, as well as feed for the horses.


Room Occupancy
A single supplement fee applies for single travelers.



Meals
All meals from lunch on day 2 through lunch on day 5 are included. Dinner on the first and last day is not included.

Prepared at camp, a varied menu of fresh foods awaits, including beef from the owners Cattle Ranch.
Some examples of meals served during this trip include: smoked salmon crepes, Street tacos, steak and potatoes, bbq pork sandwiches, pastas, corn on the cob, Dutch Oven cornbread and cobblers,...
Cooks prepare fresh and locally sourced foods and offer grass fed, hormone free beef and pork.

Dietary Restrictions
Our great camp cooks can accommodate to most diets with prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western saddle with saddle bag
Horses:		Quarter horses and Thorouhbreds
Pace:		4-6 hrs per riding day mostly walking / occasional trot and canter where terrain allows | Walk | Trot |
Level:		(2 out of 5)    From Novice
Age:		Min 8
Weight:		Max 250 lbs / 113 kg
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 10 riders

Suitability
While no previous riding experience is required, participants should be in good health and physical condition. And although the minimum age of eight years is required, the important point you should understand is that we do not want to put any participant in a situation which they are physically or emotionally unable to handle. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip. 

You'll ride at a pace that is comfortable for the group, sometimes splitting into two groups, one faster for the hearty rider, and one well-paced but leisurely for those who wish to take time relishing the beauty and wonder of the sights. All riders will then regroup and make a lunch stop together. Following the afternoon ride you will return to camp with plenty of time to clean up and relax before dinner.

Horses
Our remuda consists of ranch raised Quarter Horses with a few Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Mustangs. Most of the horses we've bred and raised ourselves.

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.