Relaxed 2-hour horseback ride past the Study Butte Mercury Mine ruins
2 Hours
Guided ride, Horse or donkey
Ride nose to tail at a walk on a beginner-friendly trail with elevation changes near Study Butte. You’ll pass the ruins of the Study Butte Mercury Mine on this relaxed afternoon ride.
Minimum age is 6; 6-year-olds ride a donkey led by a wrangler. Maximum weight is 270 lbs (122.47 kilos), and you must be able to balance in the saddle. Gratuity is not included; confirm tipping expectations with Greetwell before booking.
Full refund if you cancel 7+ days prior to ride date, or if the stables cancels the ride.
Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes (required). Skip shorts or leggings. Dress for sun protection, weather, and pokey plants; lightweight long-sleeve shirts and a hat are recommended.
Bring 2+ liters of still water per rider in handheld bottles. Don’t bring gallon jugs or a backpack; a saddlebag is provided. For younger riders, bring smaller water bottles.
You must be at least 6 years old. Six-year-olds ride a donkey led by a wrangler. Maximum rider weight is 270 lbs (122.47 kilos).
BIG BEND STABLES 30 minutes before your ride
The guides here are a genuine highlight, with Duck, Evo, Shelby, and McKenzie each earning enthusiastic praise by name. They bring real knowledge of the area's history and landscape, keep things fun and relaxed, and have a knack for making first-timers feel at ease. Families with young kids seem to have a particularly great time, and the horses are consistently described as well-behaved and well-suited for the rugged terrain. The sunset and morning rides draw the most love, with beautiful views and a memorable way to experience the desert landscape. One reviewer noted dusty trail conditions and proximity to an old mercury mine as concerns, so that's worth keeping in mind if those things matter to you. That said, it reads as an outlier against an otherwise overwhelmingly positive track record. If you're passing through the Big Bend area and looking for something beyond hiking, this is the kind of experience people say becomes a trip highlight. Ask about horse availability too, one reviewer was pretty insistent about requesting Tulsa specifically.
Duck our tour guide took us on an gorgeous sunset ride. We enjoyed Duck’s knowledge about the local nature and history. The horses were well behaved and sweet.
Celia Leung
May 22, 2026
Duck our tour guide took us on an gorgeous sunset ride. We enjoyed Duck’s knowledge about the local nature and history. The horses were well behaved and sweet.
Celia Leung
May 22, 2026