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The Best Horseback Riding in Great Falls

Mark Barnett
Last Updated: February 24th, 2023

Great Falls is a community like many others in Montana in that it oozes history and tradition. At the same time, it is surrounded by impressive recreational backdrops.

In fact, when you head into Great Falls with the idea of a spot of recreation in mind, it’s worth considering that you (or your horse) may well be treading the same path as the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition that famously moved through the region.

Great Falls is something of an outdoor wonderland with renowned parks including the famed Giant Springs State Park. There are also 40 miles of River’s Edge Trail along the scenic Missouri River, unfortunately, this route doesn’t permit horses. Thankfully, There are plenty of other opportunities for outdoor recreation around the region of Great Falls though.

Visitors who would like to take in some of the vicinity from the saddle should most likely employ the services of a local outfitter unless bringing their own horses or putting up on a local ranch. Horseback riding enthusiasts and outdoor types, in general, will delight in the opportunities that are waiting in this town and its surrounding regions.

All of this and more can be experienced with the help of someone who knows the ropes well like an experienced local outfitter unless you are looking for a ranch resort experience.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the best horseback riding in Great Falls, Montana and what you can expect on your travels.

rodeo
Image: Don…The UpNorth Memories Guy… Harrison

Horseback Riding in Great Falls

  1. Heaven on Earth Ranch/Deep Creek Outfitters
  2. Montana River Outfitters

1. Heaven on Earth Ranch

heaven on earth ranch
Image: muirtrail68

The Heaven on Earth Ranch is south of Great Falls in the direction of Ulm. You’ll find distinct flavors of the Old West once you arrive at the ranch, which will more than likely leave some lasting impressions.

The Heaven on Earth Ranch is entrenched deep within Smith River Country, to the south of Great Falls, and into the Little Belt Mountains. Transportation to the ranch is provided when booking either accommodation or through the outfitter.

Whether you want to spend a day or two trail riding or even on an overnight pack trip, the outfitter and the ranch have you covered. You can enjoy a resort vacation tailored to your requirements in a vast and peaceful setting near the Smith River with as much horseback riding as you can handle.

The ranch takes great pride not only in its horses but also in home-made cooking, and rustic yet comfortable lodgings. Guests can get involved in some of the basic day-to-day runnings of this working ranch if they wish, or they can just focus on horseback riding and the great lodgings.

The ranch is home to Great Falls’ Deep Creek Outfitters which operates out of this exclusive ranch retreat. This is one of the best ways to enjoy hours of unsurpassed horseback riding in Great Falls.

The outfitter also offers other activities like fishing, wagon rides, tepee campouts, target shooting, and golf.

2. Montana River Outfitters

montana river outfitters
Image: Robert Ennals

Aside from Deep Creek, Montana River Outfitters is one of the other key operations in the Great Falls area capable of providing outdoor trips and activities to visitors. This they have

done already for close to half a century covering the regions around the Missouri and Smith Rivers.

The operation provides different types of trips that may lean towards a particular aspect such as the scenic, the historic, the adventurous, or combinations like the horseback and float trips.

The excursions vary from simple half-day rides to a multiple-day pack trip. Hourly horseback riding along trails as well as overnight pack trips are all catered to by the outfitter according to requirements.

Horseback and float combination trips into the remote Bob Marshall Wilderness are also one of the specialties of this local Great Falls outfitter for those daring souls who fancy putting in a bit more time in the saddle.

Either way—if you are traveling in the direction of Great Falls and you fancy the idea of indulging in a spot of authentic Montana-style sightseeing and exploring from the back of a horse saddle, you shouldn’t need to look too far to find the best way to check out the locale.

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About The Author

Mark Barnett

Mark Philip is a writer and lifestyle enthusiast from the Midlands in the U.K. With a background in martial arts and fitness, Mark headed out to Bangkok, Thailand where he now lives and works. Mark has authored e-books, articles, and blogs across a wide range of topics for commercial, educational, factual, lifestyle and leisure-based purposes.

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