Ride a guided 1-hour horseback loop along the North Platte River
One Hour
Guided ride, Petting zoo
Saddle up for a guided, walking trail ride along the south bank of the North Platte River. Follow a scenic 3-mile loop with native grasses, flowers, and chances to spot birds and other wildlife.
Ages 6+ only; for younger riders, book a pony ride. A valid Nebraska Park Entry Permit is required for all vehicles on the premises; you can purchase it at check-in.
Cancel up to one week prior to your scheduled ride for a refund less a 10% booking fee. Cancellations less than one week prior are non-refundable. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other circumstances.
Wear what works for the weather. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended but not required.
You ride in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for the weather.
Yes. You must listen to and follow the wranglers’ directions, even if you have previous riding experience.
Dusty Trails, 2717 N. Buffalo Bill Ave, North Platte, NE
Dusty and Stephanie, along with guides like Jordan, have built something genuinely special in the Nebraska Sandhills. Their wildlife tours, covering Sandhill Cranes and Greater Prairie Chickens, consistently earn glowing praise for the depth of knowledge the guides bring, not just about the birds themselves but about local agriculture, history, and the surrounding landscape. Reviewers frequently note how prepared and enthusiastic the team is, with thoughtful touches like hot coffee, snacks, and local treat bags rounding out the experience. The trail rides and petting zoo are popular with families and casual visitors, drawing praise for well-tempered horses and friendly wranglers. For those interested in photography, the prairie chicken photo blind setup is a highlight, though one reviewer noted a communication hiccup around a same-day cancellation of the blind that left them frustrated. It's worth confirming those details ahead of your visit if photography is your primary goal. Overall, this is a well-run, passion-driven operation where the guides clearly love what they do and it shows. If you find yourself in the North Platte area during crane or prairie chicken season, this is the kind of experience that travelers say they almost skipped but are deeply glad they didn't.
We've done the trail ride twice now and it's SO fun and for a great price!! Jordan is so knowledgeable and answered all of our questions! We loved the added visit to the petting zoo also!
Chrissy Towery
April 11, 2026
We've done the trail ride twice now and it's SO fun and for a great price!! Jordan is so knowledgeable and answered all of our questions! We loved the added visit to the petting zoo also!
Chrissy Towery
April 11, 2026