Proud Participants in Glacier National Park's Centennial
Horseback Riding in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, otherwise known as the "Crown of the Continent", stretches across thousands of miles of snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks in Northwest Montana. The Glacier backcountry is a land of shining mountains, sweeping alpine views and aquamarine glacial waters you simply have to experience. And, what better way to do that than on horseback? The majority of Glacier's most magical secrets are found off the beaten track and we can take you to them. We offer a variety of trail rides, where no two trips are the same. Or, for a truly unique experience, check out our drop camp services. All you have to do is decide which horseback riding adventure you want to embark on:
Swan Mountain Outfitters Locations in Glacier National Park
Please keep in mind that availability of all trails in Glacier National Park is subject to change. Swan Mountain Outfitters reserves the right to change or cancel a ride at any time due to unfavorable trail conditions, inclement weather or the presence of wildlife.
Apgar Trail Rides
For 2010, our Apgar corral is scheduled to be open from May 22nd through September 6th, weather dependent. This corral is located near the West Entrance of the park. We offer 3 types of trail rides from this location:
Apgar Lookout
This half day ride takes you to the Apgar Lookout through a lodgepole forest that burned in the Roberts Fire of 2003. The combination of bare trees from the burn and the steepness of the trail provides an incredible bird's eye view as you climb to the top of Apgar Mountain. There is very little tree cover since you are riding through a burn, so bring sunscreen and water. There is a four person minimum for this trail ride.
C.M. Russell
This two hour ride is our most popular Apgar offering. Riders love the combination of cruising underneath the green canopy of a lodgepole forest while simultaneously getting great views of the Flathead River and the Oxbow of McDonald Creek.
McDonald Meadows
This easy one hour ride is great for beginners. Wind through the lush lodgepole forest that borders the Flathead River. Keep your eyes peeled for deer and bear.
Lake McDonald Trail Rides
For 2010, our Lake McDonald corral is scheduled to be open from May 22nd through September 25th, weather dependent. This corral is located on the east side of Lake McDonald, the largest of Glacier's 250 alpine lakes. We offer outstanding trail rides from this location:
Sperry Chalet
The ride to Sperry Chalet opens July 7th and is one of our most popular day trips. As we climb up to this beautiful full service chalet, built of natural rock in a high alpine setting, you will experience all the wonders of the Glacier back country in style. Filled with breath-taking views, this ride will provide you ample opportunity to take pictures of Glacier's striking scenery.
Upper McDonald Creek
This scenic two hour ride takes you through the Cedar Forest and provides excellent views of both Lake McDonald and McDonald Falls. A truly picturesque ride, not to be missed!
Cedar Forest
This easy one hour ride meanders underneath the canopy of the Cedar Forest surrounding our Lake McDonald Corral.
Many Glacier Trail Rides
For 2010 our Many Glacier corral is scheduled to be open from June 4th through September 20th. This corral is located across the parking lot from the Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake. From this corral, we offer our most intense exploration of the Glacier back country:
Cracker Lake
This all day ride takes you out along the shores of Lake Sherburne and up along Canyon Creek until you reach the striking turquoise waters of Cracker Lake. The ride is packed full of majestic views of the surrounding mountains and good opportunities to see wildlife, especially bears.
Poia Lake
This all day ride is chock-full of panoramic views of the entire Swiftcurrent Valley as we ride up and over the Swiftcurrent Ridge. In one glance, you can take in thousands of years of geological history spread out before you. Once we reach the top, we will wind down along Kennedy Creek to the untouched Poia Lake where you will be swept away by the perfect silence of Mother Nature.
Grinnell Lake
This half day ride takes you through aspen and lodgepole forest providing a bird's eye view of Josephine Lake and picture-perfect glimpses of glacier-carved mountains and waterfalls. The horse trail ends at the trail head for Grinnell Lake. At this point riders can dismount and walk the remaining quarter mile to the beautiful aquamarine glacial lake. Once you've taken in the lake, you will remount the horses for the ride back to the corral. This trail is not typically available until mid July or later, depending on weather.
Swiftcurrent Ridge
This half day ride takes you down along Swiftcurrent Falls, across the Many Glacier Road and starts climbing the ravine alongside Poia Mountain. At the Swiftcurrent Ridge hitching rail, riders dismount to get a great view over Lake Sherburne and then head back down the mountain with the backdrop of the Many Glacier Hotel spanning before them. The Swiftcurrent Ridge ride is often used as an alternate when the Grinnell Lake trail is not available.
Josephine Lake
This picturesque horseback ride along the Piegan trail toward Josephine Lake, which is also fed by Grinnell Glacier, will take you through lush meadows and a towering alpine forest.
Cracker Flats
This is an awesome trail ride that heads out along the shores of Lake Sherburne and on to Cracker Flats, where the old mining town of Altyn once stood at the turn of the century. Fantastic mountain views will surround us in a historic place where wildlife and wildflowers abound.
Josephine Loop
We also offer daily trail rides that last one hour. Times and locations change daily based on availability of horses and wranglers.
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