The otherworldly landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park is a bucket list destination for many equestrians… and with good reason! The park is home to the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. Getting to ride among the spires is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. But Bryce is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to riding this part of southern Utah, which is known for its breathtaking views and dramatic landscapes. The whole region teems with deeply carved canyons, unique rock formations, and horse-friendly trails to explore.
There is no better basecamp to access the splendor of Bryce and the surrounding area than Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park. The privately owned campground is full of thoughtful touches that equestrians will appreciate. That’s because owners Sherry and Pete Jensen are equestrians themselves. Originally from Las Vegas, they bought the property in 2020 and officially opened the park in 2021. Considering that the property used to be just alfalfa fields, it is incredible what they’ve built.
Accommodations
The ranch has 30 equestrian sites and a whopping 90 pens for equines. There are back-in and pull-through sites, all with full hookups (water, sewer, power), a picnic table, and a fire pit. Tents are allowed if you do not have an LQ. You will pay a little more for the premium sites in the cottonwood trees at the back of the park, otherwise, some equestrian sites are pretty exposed. The majority of the equestrian sites have horse pens right behind them, however, there are a few sites where the pens are farther away (but still within eyesight).
You must use the pens provided, which are 12×12 pipe corrals. Most of the pens are connected. Water spigots and long hoses behind the pens make it easy to fill water buckets. There are also several manure dump sites throughout the ranch. They even provide wheelbarrows and manure forks for easy cleaning, which you are required to do twice a day to help keep down flies.
There are several round pens available for quick turnouts or warmups. In addition, there are two wash racks for horses. Equestrians are separated from the non-equestrian visitors, for whom there are 100 RV sites. The equestrian sites are all in yellow on the park map below. In the middle of the equestrian loop is a nice shaded gathering space.
The sites are nice, especially if you have an LQ. Everything is clean, well-maintained, and safe for equines. You’ll see equestrians from all over the country staying here with a huge variety of horses and mules.
Facilities
When you first enter the ranch you will check in with the office which also serves as the general store. Here you can find just about every provision you might want or may have forgotten – from beer to truck fuses to souvenirs to propane. This is also the main hub for information about where to ride and what to see in the area. The store is open every day and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.
There are three large restroom and shower buildings throughout the ranch. The restrooms and showers are exceptionally clean and tended to by staff throughout the day. Showers are spacious with bench seats and changing space. A coin or credit card operated laundry is available 24 hours a day. There is also a dog washing station, water bottle filling stations, several off-leash dog play areas, a playground for kids, group areas with BBQ facilities, and free wifi. The facilities are all fully ADA compliant.
The park also offers 1/2 day and full-day trailer rentals so visitors with big rigs can access some of the harder-to-get-to trailheads. They’ve literally thought of everything!
Staff live on site and are super responsive and ready to assist guests. The closest town is a five minute drive away, where there are a few dining options and stores.
Riding
Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park is lovely but you don’t come here to spend all your time just sitting in camp! You can ride trails right off the ranch that wind and weave through colorful hoodoos or lead to stunning vistas. A short haul with a trailer will give you access to virtually unlimited riding. The most iconic rides will take you through tall slot canyons, hoodoos, colorful sandstone, and more. Be prepared to have your camera out at all times because the photo ops never stop!
There are kiosks throughout the RV park that describe the fan-favorite trail rides in the area. Inside the store is a binder full of detailed directions, maps, and photographs of each trail. Staff are also available to chat about trails, and it is well worth getting their insight since they know them better than anyone. The trails in the area range in difficulty and length. Some are steep or have narrow switchbacks, but there are plenty of “easy” rides for more green horses or riders.
The terrain here is varied – a mix of the Great Basin, the Mojave, and the Colorado Plateau. It is the high desert (the park sits at 6,000 feet) but the forested areas are mixed with sculpted sandstone arches, pinnacles, buttes, bluffs, and mesas in a kaleidoscope of colors. You’ll see a lot of familiar plants like pinyon, juniper, Mormon tea, and various cactus. There is a surprising amount of water flowing through the canyons in the spring.
This is a popular region in general so some trails are busy with hikers and bicyclists. However, there are many places to get away from the tourist crowds. There are a number of outfitters in the area so you may run into a dude string occasionally. Trails are free and open to ride, with the exception of the famed Peekabook Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park, for which you need to make a reservation.
You’ll need at least a week at the Bryce Valley Ranch RV & Horse Park to ride all the closest and most popular trails. Their season runs from April 1 through October 31 each year. We’re told the May/June and September/October are the best times to visit due to the nice temperatures. (The weather is fickle – you can still get snow in May!) But the ranch has earned a stellar reputation in its few short years of operation so it books up fast – don’t wait until the last minute to make a reservation.
