About our Rides
ADDRESS: 26 Vicksville Rd, Cerrillos, NM (“Los Cerrillos”)
DAYS: 7 Days a Week Year Round
LEVEL: All levels
MINIMUM AGE: 10 years old
LENGTH: 1 Hour ride time (+15 min. prep time) - Please plan for at least 1-1/2 hours total during your time on property from arrival to end. Call if you were hoping for a longer, private ride.
COST: Normally $125 per ride, Currently we’re offering a Winter Special rate of $109 per person
FLEXIBILITY OF START TIMES: We offer some flexibility - just call us if you want to request changing the ride time and we’ll try to make it happen!
PRIVATE RIDES / LONGER 2-HR RIDES: We can schedule private rides of 1 or 2 hours by arrangement. Call or text 505-570-7991. Rates depend on the size of the group.
When should I arrive? Please arrive at least 20 minutes early.
Where do I park and go? Just 100 feet or so down Vicksville Road, park on the left-side gravel parking lot just past our sign (facing the railroad ties), then walk to the wooden tack/saddle house just up the road.
Can I text or call with questions? Absolutely! 505-570-7991
Are there restrooms on the property? Yes, there are two porta potties, we keep them clean
Are there places to sit while I wait? Yes, we have a picnic table and have recently added wooden outdoor chairs for lounging while you wait. You are welcome to take photos of our Wild West ambiance, including our covered wagon that was in the movie Dances with Wolves!
What should I bring? —> Please bring water to hydrate before your ride, sunglasses, sunscreen, and if you want to wear a hat, we recommend a hat that fits snugly or has a chin strap. It’s best to have a fitted jacket and nothing that would flop around in the wind or go past your waist.
What about my phone & photo opportunities? Your guide can dismount to take of photo of you and your group on horseback at the top of the ride with mountain views behind you. Please put your phone on silent mode and put it in a secure pocket. We also have saddle bags. You’re welcome to take photos of the horses and property before and after your ride - we hope you share them!
What should I wear? REQUIRED: Closed toe shoes & Long pants. We recommend comfortable (not too tight) jeans, and layers such as a jacket that unzips or snaps open should you start to warm up on the ride. Wear athletic shoes that are not loose on your feet but fit your feet well such as tennis shoes or boots; no sandals, open-back shoes or flip flops are allowed. In the summer we recommend a long-sleeved cotton shirt to protect your skin and a brimmed hat with chin-strap. We have a few sun hats with straps you can borrow.
What if I have no experience? No problem! We host first-time riders very often and will match you with one of our most gentle horses. We would only be walking the horses during the ride. (Advanced riders can inquire about cantering and trotting on private rides).
What’s the ride like and where does it go? We start in our adjacent field and let you mount via a platform to make it easier for you to get on. You’ll follow the Guide on their lead horse, with your horses generally in a single file and walking the entire way so you can feel comfortable and enjoy the sights along the way. We’ll take you a short distance down the County Road going through the State Park, then up one of our trails of gentle hills and slopes, eventually arriving at a hilltop spot with spectacular mountain views. We’ll return a different way to keep the entire ride interesting. The environment is high desert with evergreen pinyon and juniper trees and cholla plus some spectacular geology and scenic rocky outcroppings. You will be in a true natural wilderness with silence all around.
What if I’m experienced and want to canter or trot? Please ask your Guide before your ride starts and they will make that decision based upon the group, your experience and other factors. Generally, a private ride would be required for gaits other than walking.
What if there’s bad weather? We will call you if we need to cancel due to rain, wind (generally over 20 mph or Red Flag warning, snow or thunder. We’re happy to reschedule you or will refund if you prefer.
Why we are considered the #1 horseback riding facility in Santa Fe & what makes our rides so special:
LOCATION, LOCATION: EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO VIEW HISTORIC TURQUOISE MINING COUNTRY & Best Variety of Scenery of any ride around Santa Fe! You’ll have exclusive access to historic turquoise mine country you otherwise would not be able to see; you’ll traverse a State Park road, go through a lovely arroyo, up pinyon-scattered natural trails, and see breath-taking vistas of the spectacular Ortiz and Sandia mountain ranges. You’ll truly get the full range of all the aspects of the beautiful New Mexico evergreen high desert landscape and leave civilization behind.
GENTLE HORSES & KNOWLEDGEABLE GUIDES. In addition to decades of trail-guiding experience, our guides have some interesting backgrounds in Western movies and Western Shows! Our horses include some smooth-gaited Tennessee Walkers and Missouri Foxtrotters. Our Guides are trained professionals, (some who live on the property) and are committed to your comfort and safety first and foremost.
THE 360 VIEWS. The grand prize of our ride is a hilltop with spectacular views of New Mexico’s three most beautiful mountain ranges: Ortiz, Sangre de Christo & The Sandias. Your guide will be happy to snap a photo of you atop your horses here.
THE AUTHENTIC WESTERN AMBIANCE. From the moment you enter the quaint village of Cerrillos (featured in Dark Winds and Young Guns) and check in at our rustic tack (saddle) house, you’ll be transported back in time to the simpler days of the Wild West. We’re fixing up our base camp to look like a Western movie set - we’d know, we’ve been on a few, actually . . .
GROUPS, PARTIES, CORPORATE TEAM-BUILDING RIDES AND/OR PROPERTY RENTAL is available. Talk about getting out of the office! Our property is situated on 4 acres in a wonderfully quiet & serene valley surrounded by dramatic & colorful rocky outcroppings, with dining/picnic options on one of our hilltops for small groups or at the base. We have added an outdoor sitting area with hand-crafted wood seating and have folding outdoor dining tables and chairs available. We can assist with lunch delivery or an amazing CHUCKWAGON lunch provided by a 3rd party, local musicians, performers and the like. Some activity options for a group outing include: Horseback Riding,Backcountry Archaeology Jeep Rides, equine lecture, horse feeding & petting, peaceful Arroyo hike, & Cerrillos History talk. We have a 1/4 acre flat open space accessible to vehicles, perfect for an event tent of any size and parking up to 30 cars. Please call Nicola at 505-660-0596 to inquire about the possibilities of curating your unique Group Event.
RIDER INFORMATION NEEDED - For each rider:
1) Experience Level (First time / Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced)
2) Height
3) Weight (Currently we have a weight limit of 240 lbs).
4) Age
5) Any physical conditions we should know about
