Terlingua Horseback Lunch Ride
Ride gentle desert trails to lunch with views into Big Bend National Park
Duration
4.5 hrs
Includes
Horse or mule ride, lunch
Highlights
Ride horses and mules on a relaxed trail to Indian Head Pictographs. Enjoy lunch among large boulders with views into Big Bend National Park.
- Follow a nose-to-tail route at a walk
- Explore gentle trails with elevation changes and sloping terrain
- Take in views of the Chisos Mountains from the lunch stop
- Ride on a trail suited to beginners and families
What's Included
- Lunch
- Saddle horn bag
Important details
- Arrive at 8:30 AM Central Time
- Ages 8+ only
- Weight limit: 270 lbs; riders over 250 lbs require animal availability and suitability
- Requires mounting unassisted and balancing in the saddle on uphill and downhill terrain
- Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes; shorts and leggings are not permitted
- Bring 3+ liters of still water in handheld bottles; gallon jugs and backpacks are not permitted
- Complete a waiver; minors need a parent or legal guardian to complete theirs
- Pregnant riders cannot be accommodated
- Rides operate in most weather, but unsafe weather or trail conditions can cancel the ride
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 7 days before your ride for a full refund. Receive a full refund if the stables cancel the ride.
FAQs
Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes (required). Skip shorts and leggings. Dress for sun protection, weather, and pokey plants.
Bring 2–3 liters (or 3+ liters) of still water per rider in handheld bottles. Do not bring gallon jugs or backpacks; you get a saddle horn bag.
You must be at least 8 years old and no more than 270 lbs. You need to mount by yourself and balance in the saddle, including on hills and sloping terrain.
Meeting details
Big Bend Stables, 53639 Texas 118, Terlingua, TX 79852
More about Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park sprawls across more than 800,000 acres of far West Texas, where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Rio Grande and the Chisos Mountains rise like a ship out of an ocean of creosote and ocotillo. This half day lunch ride on horseback gives you a uniquely slow, grounded way to experience the country bordering Big Bend National Park, trading the windshield view for the rhythm of hooves on desert trail. The terrain here is famously varied, with limestone canyons, hidden springs, sotol-studded ridges, and panoramic views that stretch deep into Mexico, and there is no better pace for soaking it in than from the saddle.
The ride works its way through high desert country that shares the same geology, plant life, and wide open skies that make Big Bend National Park so unforgettable. You will smell the dust and the sun-warmed juniper, listen to the quiet crunch of gravel under your horse, and stop midway for a relaxed lunch out in the landscape, the kind of break that feels earned rather than scheduled. Your wrangler shares stories about the ranching history, the wildlife, and the rugged characters who shaped this borderland, giving context that enriches every later visit to overlooks and trailheads inside Big Bend National Park itself.
This experience is ideal for travelers who want more than a quick photo stop, including couples on a Texas road trip, families with older kids, and anyone planning a longer stay in or near Big Bend National Park who wants a real introduction to the region. Confident beginners are welcome alongside seasoned riders, and the unhurried pace leaves plenty of room for conversation, quiet, and that big desert silence. If you are dreaming of cinematic horizons and a deeper connection to the land around Big Bend National Park, this half day lunch ride is a memorable way to step into the story.
