Ride rugged mountain trails to Contrabando Mesa and Lunchbox Canyon
4 - 4.5hrs
Horse or mule ride, lunch
Saddle up for a rugged ride through Big Bend Ranch State Park on horses or mules. Climb Contrabando Mesa, follow cliffside trails, and stop for lunch in Lunchbox Canyon.
Cancel 7+ days before your ride date for a full refund. Receive a full refund if the stables cancel the ride.
If you consider yourself adventurous and athletic, then yes. Not recommended for those with vertigo or fear of heights
Lajitas Stables, 21321 FM 170, Lajitas, TX 79852
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.
I had such a great time! The view was amazing and it was beginner friendly :)
Ariadna Rodulfo
June 8, 2026
I had such a great time! The view was amazing and it was beginner friendly :)
Ariadna Rodulfo
June 8, 2026
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