Bow River 1-Hour Horseback Ride Banff

The Bow River in Banff

The Bow River rises at Bow Glacier along the Icefields Parkway and flows past Banff town on its long journey to Calgary and the prairies. Around Banff its water is a clear, cold blue-green, coloured by fine glacial rock flour, and the river is lined with spruce, willows and gravel banks. Riding beside it on horseback is a very different experience from walking the busy town paths: the pace is slow, the only sound is the hooves and the current, and the views open up across the valley.

On this ride the river is your companion for much of the hour. Your guide keeps the group at a calm walk, so even first-time riders can look around and take photos at the stops the guide allows. If you are wondering whether a Bow River horseback ride is worth it, the answer for most visitors is the scenery: water, forest and mountains in one frame.

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

In 1883 three railway workers came across warm mineral springs in a cave at the foot of Sulphur Mountain. The dispute over who owned them led the government to protect the area in 1885, creating the reserve that became Banff National Park, Canada's first national park. Today the Cave and Basin National Historic Site keeps the original cave, the turquoise outdoor pool and an exhibit on the birth of the national park system.

The ride passes the wetlands below the historic site, where warm spring water feeds marshes that stay green longer than the surrounding land. These marshes are rich in birdlife and are a refuge for a rare tiny snail found only here. Seeing this landscape from horseback gives real meaning to the phrase birthplace of Banff National Park, and you can return on foot later if you want to visit the historic site and its exhibits.

Rocky Mountain views and wildlife meadows

Banff sits in the Bow Valley at about 1,380 metres, framed by peaks such as Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain and Cascade Mountain. From the open meadows on this trail you see these walls of grey limestone rising above the forest, often with snow on the summits from autumn to early summer. The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Banff included, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this short ride is a simple way to enjoy that landscape.

The grassy meadows and marshes along the route attract elk, deer, ducks, ravens and many smaller birds. Sightings are never guaranteed, but riders often spot animals grazing at a distance. Your guides know the horses well and keep the group at a safe distance from any wildlife. Bring insect repellent in summer, because the wetlands attract mosquitoes, especially in the morning and evening.

The Banff riding stables and practical tips

The ride starts and ends at the large red stables at the end of Sundance Road, a short drive or about a 20-minute walk from central Banff Avenue. You check in at the office in the east barn 30 minutes before your start time, sign the waiver, receive your helmet, and then meet your horse. Using a mounting step, you climb on and learn the basics: how to sit, steer and stop.

Riders must be at least 8 years old and weigh no more than 104 kg, must understand English instructions and should be able to control the horse without help. Long trousers and closed shoes are required, and backpacks are not allowed on the ride. The best time to book a horseback ride in Banff is from late spring to early autumn, when the trails are dry and the days long; early slots are quieter and cooler.