Horseback Riding in Nebraska Along the North Platte River
Have you ever been horseback riding? Up until a few weeks ago, I’d never been on a horse. But now that I’ve ridden a horse, does that make me a City Slicker? Probably not. But if you’re looking to go horseback riding in Nebraska, here’s a rundown on our experience so you can book your guided horseback riding tour along the North Platte River.
Book your Guided Horseback Riding Tour
The booking process is pretty simple. Know when you want to ride, then call (308) 530-0048 and find the time of the tours offered that day. One of the biggest draws to me reaching out to Dusty Trails was how inexpensive it is. They offer a short ride for $10/person or a long trail ride for $25/person. If you have a group of 5 or more people, they offer a special rate of $20/person.
One of the other things we enjoyed with Dusty Trails during our stay in North Platte was tanking. So if you want to experience something new, book your tanking trip down the North Platte River. If you’re wanting to do both activities, I recommend doing the horseback riding first, then switch into a swimsuit and head to the pickup point for the tanking adventure at Cody Park in the northwest corner.
Directions to the Dusty Trails Corral in North Platte
Dusty Trails, LLC, is located just north of Lincoln County Historical Museum along Buffalo Bill Avenue. It’s roughly 3 miles from downtown North Platte, and easy to access. As you get to the end of Buffalo Bill Avenue, you’ll see the building and corral on your right. There’s a large dirt parking area, so find a spot to park. If you need a quick potty break, there are restrooms next to the main building.
If you need to change your clothes (into long pants), now’s the time to do that. Oh, and definitely put some sunscreen on to protect yourself. You’re pretty exposed to the sun on your 60+ minute ride.
How to Prepare for Your Tour
Our guided tour had about 8-10 people. Each person was wearing something a little different. One man was in a swimsuit and t-shirt. A few women were in shorts or capris. I opted to go a little more cowboy like. I wore long jeans and my brand-new cowboy boots from Nashville… and they definitely woo’d my wife. 😉
I do think you need to wear what you’ll be comfortable in. I was glad I had long pants on to protect my legs from the horses that decide to walk a little too close to a tree. In the summer, it can get pretty toasty, so you’ll want to wear something that breathes.
Here’s a rundown on a few things I think you should bring with you on your ride:
- Sunscreen applied before you go on the ride
- A hat to provide shade to your ears and face
- Long pants to protect your legs
- Sturdy shoes (NOT flip flops/sandals)
- Padded bike shorts (because after an hour on the saddle, your butt may need that padding) – I’m only slightly kidding about this
- A durable camera (Olympus TG-6 is what I used) or a camera phone – just don’t drop it while riding
- A water bottle is nice to have for those hot days… but the ride isn’t too long, so you may be just fine without one
What to Expect on your Guided Horseback Riding Tour
When you arrive, follow the signs to the main building near the corral. After checking in (or registering for the guided horseback tour), follow the directions from the guides as they get everything ready for the ride. When it’s time, they’ll guide you to your horse, help you mount it and then you’ll just sit tight until everyone’s ready.
Before you head out on the trail, the main guide will give you a rundown on the commands you need to know to guide your horse. They’re basic, but important. The guide will then head down the trail and the horses will fall into line.
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The entire route is pretty basic and the going is slow. Not because of the trail, but likely because of the safety of everyone… since many people have likely never ridden a horse before. My wife wishes we could’ve at least gotten into a fast trot or slow gallop. Some parts of the trail are muddy. Others have shallow water, which was a great spot for the horses to grab a drink. But the majority of the trail was along solid dirt.
At one point, the trail parallels the North Platte River. I was a little worried that my horse would decide to take a dip in the shallow river, and in turn, get me soaked. Luckily, he kept on the trail. Though he did need to take a few bathroom breaks along the way. 😉
After riding alongside the river for a bit, you’ll turn away from the river and head back to the corral.
Don’t Forget the Petting Zoo
We arrived about 10-15 minutes before the start of our ride time. After checking in, they invited us to check out the petting zoo. There’s a long row of individual enclosures with an entrance gate. You can walk into any of the enclosures to pet a baby goat, lama and more. Don’t enter the enclosure where the massive bull is hanging out. We headed their warning and kept clear of the bull.
If you’re a fan of taking selfies, get your picture taken with Rue, their dwarf horse (aka our very own unicorn). Kids will love hanging out with all the animals along here.
The Details
Address: 2617 N Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte, NE, 69101
How long to spend: The ride is about an hour, so plan on 1.5 hours
Cost: A short ride for $10/person; A long trail ride for $25/person.
Hours: Rides are offered as they’re scheduled. Call to schedule your guided tour.
Website: http://www.dustytrails.biz/
Phone: (308) 530-0048
DISCLOSURE: I received two complimentary passes for a group guided horseback riding tour from Dusty Trails for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.
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