Zion Canyon Trail Ride at Jacobs Ranch

Kate Klavon

We did an hour trail ride along the sand beach trail. The horses and staff were great! We hiked several trails while at Zion and this trail has some particularly amazing views. My only complaint was all the sand that the horses knock up in your face while walking. it'd be nice if the horses could be a little more spread out to avoid that.

Dennis Doroslovac

I spent weeks planning a proposal that was intended to be personal, very enjoyable, and totally unsuspected. I began by calling and chatting with Jackson, who brought his wife Sheryl on the line to help out. Half hour on the first phone call, great receptivity and flexibility. I didn't know what I was doing so this really helped. Fast forward, we fly in, I make it out to the ranch alone to discuss details. They are busy, it is evident. Yet i requested a private ride for myself, my (now) wife, and just a wrangler. On the phone I could hear them moving groups around to make this possible. Incredible. Now this isn't a pretty, groomed, maintained horse stable. It's the mountain desert riding. I had written something personal written, riddled with several key dates and our age difference, burned into a piece of leather. One of the wranglers (Landon, i believe) was to nail it into a tree and then communicate the location to our wrangler Joshua, who was fantastic. He was smart, good conversation, genuine, the wild mustang riding type. Cleverly, he worked out a plan for us to tie our horses to a tree at the spot "so they can rest". Slight nod at me and I located the tree. My lady unknowingly picked the tree where the leather was now fastened. As the wrangler and I approached her, he asked what was on the tree and she began to read. It ends with, "Today I'm here behind you wondering if you'll be my wife" at which point I was on my knee. The remaining 1.5 hours were awesome. Galloping through the mountains, jumping, riding alongside cliffs. It was awesome. Do it. The End.

Donna LaMont

Great experience! Our guide Landis was so helpful and kind. It was so beautiful to be out in Zions on a horse. I think they wanted our group to be a little more daring, but we were really just enjoying the day and the scenery. Definitely want to go again!

forcesofnature27

I had a fantastic time here. They delivered what they advertised & I am so glad I did this. I had so much fun I didn't want the day to end. It is a very unique & special experience and a perfect way to experience horses in a less limiting way than the traditional follow the leader trail rides. It seems a little pricey at ~ $180/person, however for what you get it is actually incredibly reasonable since you're with the horses nearly all day and get to experience some freedom. We picked our own horse, brushed them, picked their hooves, saddled them and then rode. The horses were great; well cared for and healthy. We started slowly and then progressed to a trot and then loping. The guide considered our comfort level and moved at a pace comfortable for each us. We didn't have to ride in a line and were allowed to meander a bit. The scenery was gorgeous and it was fun crossing the streams. We stopped for lunch (bring your own) and they generously let us shoot a 357 mag (we brought ammo and ear plugs). We then rode back on a more challenging trail with a lot of steep inclines and declines. It was a bit scary at times but more exhilarating than anything. Helmets are available but you may need to ask for them or remind them if you want one. When we got back, there was no mention of the free ride so I asked about it. I felt a little like they didn't want me to go out but I was allowed to go out on my own as promised. My fiancee and the other rider had had enough and didn't want to go back out. I tried going solo but it didn't last long. The horses have a social mentality and don't like being alone so the horse just wanted to return to his friends. Since they had been out all day, I think they were ready to retire for the day too. This was a bit disappointing for me. The free ride was the part I looked forward to most as I have never gone or heard of anywhere else that does this. While they do allow you to go out it is is a bit of a let down because by the time you can free ride the horses are tired and don't want to go out. I felt bad asking the horse to take me out again. It is also important to realize they don't like to go out alone and you should have someone in your group that is willing to go out with you or the horse might fight you the entire way. Despite this, it was an amazing day and I would recommend it to anyone wanting more than a typical and boring nose to tail trail ride. I would suggest taking tons of water, sunglasses and/or a hat that can be tied to your head so it doesn't blow off when the horses are running. We also followed their suggestion of wearing a bandanna to cover our faces because of the dust and I highly suggest you do it too. Also if you are traveling from Nevada, be aware of the 1 hour time difference. Utah is an hour ahead of Nevada so we had to leave extra early to be their at the right time. If I were to critique the experience, I'd say there is a little room for improvement in regards to time management. This is only if I nit pick my experience but it took a while for us to really get started. This may have been because the other rider in our group was late and they may have been trying to stretch it out while waiting for her to arrive. The guide had to stop and answer the phone too many times on our ride. It was supposedly his boss checking on this or that which is not the guide's fault. It was just confusing when he would ride off to the side to answer calls and half the time not say anything until he hung up. He repeatedly apologized and didn't seem thrilled to have to keep answering the phone but when he did answer off to the side, I wasn't sure if I should follow him, stop or keep going. These are minor critiques in my mind and just some simple feedback for the owners. Overall, I am extremely pleased, would recommend it to others and as I mentioned earlier I did not want the day to end. It was well worth the price for me and I thank the business for a memorable adventure and would undoubtedly do it again.