Sedona isn’t just known for its red rocks, its mystic charms, and the magic it brings to every visit. It is also located in the heart of the Wild West, and for a while was actually the epicenter of many old Westerns filmed not in Hollywood, but right here in Sedona. For those seeking an old west vibe to their thoroughly modern-day Sedona visit, this guide to a horse lover’s journey of Sedona horse riding and more will add excitement to the comfortable adventures enjoyed in our I Love Sedona modern sanctuaries!
Day 1: Horseback Ride Tours in Sedona
Sedona has become more of an urban oasis than a rural one, but there are still plenty of horseback riding in Sedona adventures that can be had during your stay in red rock country, and on your first day in town, we are taking this show on the road to Cornville. Cornville, not named for the vegetable everyone loves but as a derivation of the name of a local settler, perhaps named Cohn, is a small Arizona town that is home to a great selection of wineries AND Horsin’ Around Adventures, a local horseback touring company. They offer a selection of 1.5-hour-long tours that take riders through the beautiful countryside around Sedona, including private ones that can be tailored to your traveling groups needs. Start your day out with a delicious breakfast that you may have prepared yourself in our fully equipped kitchens and head out to the trails of Page Springs.
After the ride, you may want to experience the joy of wine country with a visit to Cove Mesa Vineyard, located at 1210 S Western Drive. Offering a tasting room that is open various hours every day of the week, Arizona life is quite casual, and they won’t mind a bit if you come dressed for the ranch. Also offering a small menu of charcuterie boards and pizzas, this is the perfect way to fill the hours from lunch until sundown when you return to Sedona.
Day 2: Trail Horse Adventures
Turning the reigns toward Cottonwood on day two, Trail Horse Adventures takes riders on a breathtaking ride through the wilds of Dead Horse Ranch State Park. (We’ll leave the thoughts on the ranch got its name to your imagination!) You may want to start your day out with breakfast at the Old Town Rooster Café, located at 901 N Main Street, and you won’t have to worry about lunch, because Trail Horse Adventures offers a picnic trail ride that takes riders along the Outlaw Trail (Is that name Old West enough for you and your family?) before ending with a pack lunch that will satisfy the hungriest of wranglers. Also featuring pony rides for the tiny travelers in your family, the fun they will have will create a memory never to be forgotten. Not traveling with tiny vacationers? Pillsbury Wine Company, 315 S Willard Street, offers a tasting room and tasting house certain to be the perfect way to finish off your day of wild west adventures with a more cultured activity!
Day 3: Wild Western Horseback Adventures
Camp Verde, located just 30 minutes outside of Sedona, offers more than the stunning and historic Montezuma Castle, it is also home to Wild Western Horseback Adventures, a company that offers something a little different than other horse adventures. Taking place on a real working ranch, riders will share the trails with cowboys, exploring the foothills of Mingus Mountain, and experiencing views of cattle and buffalo owned by the ranch. During the full moon, they also feature a Moonlight Ride that lasts about an hour and a half, introducing travelers to the beauty of the landscape after the sun sets behind the mountains. This ride is only available during the full moon, simply because the only lights involved will be the glow of the moon and the safety of the horses and riders is of utmost importance.
If you choose the moonlight Sedona horse riding, you may want to take this day to explore your in-town options, shopping, visiting art galleries, and enjoying a taste of the town. The Cowboy Club Grille provides an excellent way to stick with the Western theme or if you want an authentic taste of the Southwest, we suggest a meal at Oaxaca, a Mexican restaurant that has been a local staple for more than four decades!
Explore the Amenities
Spend your daylight (and moonlit) hours living out your Wild West fantasies, then come home to the not-so-wild comforts found in our I Love Sedona Arizona abodes. Watch the Westerns that were filmed here in town on state-of-the-art televisions and fall asleep every night dreaming about the trusty steeds you rode through the Sedona area countryside. Reserve your favorite escape today!
