When you plan a trip to Sin City, horse riding is not usually the first thing that comes to most people’s minds, yet it was hands down the highlight of my recent work holiday to Vegas (apart from the crazy parties, obvs).
Bonnie Springs Ranch is about a half hour drive out of the Vegas Strip and is set against an absolutely breathtaking backdrop of the Red Rock Canyon. We had a private bus pick us up from our hotel and drive us to the ranch, and as soon as I got off the bus I felt like I was on an old western film set – wooden houses, tin roofs and dusty, red trails.
We split up into 3 groups and headed straight for the horses to go on a trail ride through the picturesque outback. Along the way, we invested in our own cowboy hats, because who wouldn’t?! It actually ended up being a very sensible $20 investment given that we spent the whole day under the hot sun.
I haven’t ridden a horse since I was an 11 year old kid at Grade 6 school camp, so my riding skills don’t actually exist but I was so excited to try it again. Unfortunately the ‘riding’ turned out to be more of a ‘walking’, so whilst it was a little slower-paced than I would have liked, it did at least give us a chance to take in the incredible scenery around us.
My horse, Flash, was very cute and extremely well behaved. I could have just sat on him and given no instructions whatsoever and he would have still followed the right trail, bless him.
After horse riding, we explored the little on-site petting zoo where strangely enough I found an emu, wallabies and what looked like a mix between a quokka and a wombat.
Oh, there was also the world’s happiest goat…
And a terrible melodrama…
So horse riding in Vegas is not normally #1 on the Vegas priority list, but a visit to Bonnie Springs Ranch is totally worth taking some time out of your crazy party schedule for. It’s so beautiful and unique, a perfect way to spend a morning or an afternoon away from the craziness of the Strip.
A one hour guided trail ride at Bonnie Springs Ranch costs $60.00 per person. Cowboy hats were an extra $20 and the very sexy bandanas were complimentary 😉 Check out their website for more information.
Kamila x
LNG
What a different thing to do in Vegas! Such a great idea to go and do something a bit quieter.
It was really refreshing actually, an unexpected way to see the amazing landscape 🙂 x