Horseback Riding
Grab your boots and saddle up for a horseback ride at the Black Butte Stables!
Professional wranglers from Black Butte Stables have been leading trail rides at the Ranch for over 20 years. Join the guides and their gentle, trail-wise horses for a classic trail ride and explore the forested trails of Central Oregon. Guided rides are available for guests 7 years of age and older, year round. All experience levels are welcome. The Stables also offers a customized, full day adventure ride—ideal for a family or group team building activity.
Black Butte Stables is located just inside the entrance to the Ranch, behind the General Store at 13892 Bishops Cap.
Trail Rides begin March 18 | Call 541-595-2061 for reservations.
Featured Trail Rides
Parent Powered “Little Buckaroo” Rides
Corral Rides | Approximately 20 minutes | $35 per ride
Parent-powered Little Buckaroo Rides are available during the summer (8am-11am only). Parents (or guardians over 18) lead kids ages 3-6 on experienced horses in the wooden corral. These horses are fitted with pony saddles just for the kids. Both the parent and buckaroo should wear sturdy boots or shoes. Be sure to bring a camera to capture some fun shots!
Little Loop Ride
Approximately 30 minutes | $70
Beginners, walking only ride.
Big Loop Ride
3.3 mile | Approximately 60 minutes | $100
Beginners ride, Indian Ford Creek trail along a beaver pond at a comfortable pace.
Gobblers Knob
5.5 mile ride | Approximately 1.5 hours | $135
Enjoy a relaxed, extended ride across Indian Ford Creek, through old growth pine forests and Aspen groves. You will ride along the base of an ancient volcanic formation. Enjoy spectacular views from across Glaze Meadow of Broken Top, the Three Sisters, and Mt. Washington.
Hole in the Wall Gang
7 mile ride | Approximately 2 hours | $225
An exciting and challenging ride for intermediate participants. Trot along a trail lined with manzanita and a variety of wild flowers. This ride crosses Indian Ford Creek and travels around Glaze Meadow with big mountain views. Trotting experience is required for this ride.
Reata Trail
A Backcountry experience with lunch (two rider minimum)
1/2 Day | $425
This is a ride for advanced riders, in good condition, who are comfortable keeping their seat in a saddle over long distances. This ride offers an outstanding view of the Cascades from horseback. Several routes may be taken, each with unique points of interest. Please ask the head wrangler about options. Includes full lunch.
For More Information
For information, visit the Black Butte Stables Instagram page or their website.
Download the Black Butte Stables Release Form
Black Butte Stables 7 Years of Age Release Form
Black Butte Stables Little Buckaroos Release Form
The Black Butte Stables is open to the public. Trail riders must be 7 years of age. Cash gratuity accepted for trail guides. Please wear appropriate attire.
Wilderness rides, photo safari, and other customized trips are available, please call 541-595-2061 to inquire! Additional information is available at BlackButteStables.com.
The History of Black Butte Stables – a Ranch tradition
A family’s love of both Black Butte Ranch and horses has been instrumental in maintaining a top quality riding facility at the Ranch. Alfred B. “Barkey” Herman, Black Butte Ranch property owner since 1971 and past chairman of the Black Butte Ranch Association board was an accomplished horseman in his youth and an active horseman throughout his life. Barkey believed that any ranch worth its name should have horses, so when the previous concessionaire pulled out, leaving the stables facility vacant and Black Butte Ranch without horses and horseback riding for a season, Barkey founded Black Butte (Ranch) Stables in 1988. Barkey’s son David took the reins at the Stables after his father’s untimely death in 1993.
Each spring the herd of colorful, friendly horses are trucked to Black Butte Ranch from their winter pasture. Most of the horses work at the Stables during the day, but all of them are turned out in Big Meadow or Glaze Meadow in the late afternoon to graze. The sixty-head wrangle in and wrangle out a spectacle that is much anticipated and photographed—watching free horses interact from the Big Meadow bike path and nature trail is a favorite evening activity of homeowners as well as guests.
Over one hundred thousand guests have been hosted at Black Butte Stables over the last twenty years of operation at Black Butte Ranch. In addition to being one of the few recreational riding facilities open to the public, the excellent quality of the horses, friendliness and knowledgeability of the trail guides and a program focused on safe horsemanship and fun, has earned Black Butte Stables recognition from Western Horseman Magazine, local newspapers, horse magazines and patronage from the many guests who travel from all points to return each season.
Black Butte Stables not only provides a range from hour-long to half-day rides, but also is the exclusive US Forest Service trail guide permittee for the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington Wilderness Areas. Wilderness experiences can be vary in length from a spectacular day ride to a week in the back country.
Black Butte Stables are open year round. Rides fill up early, so book your reservation today!