Las Vegas: Wild West Sunset Horseback Ride & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Horseback trails, desert colors and cowboy dinner near Vegas

You’ll swap city lights for desert silence on this Las Vegas horseback riding tour, following outlaw trails with a local wrangler before sharing a cowboy BBQ dinner under open skies. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off so you can relax into ranch life for an evening — you might even find yourself missing that saddle by the time you’re heading home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping out at the ranch north of Las Vegas was how quiet it felt compared to the Strip — just the sound of boots on gravel and a couple of horses snorting nearby. Our guide, Tom, handed me the reins and grinned, “Don’t worry, she’s gentle.” He meant my horse, Daisy, who honestly looked more patient than me. The sun was still high but already starting to soften over those Nevada mountains. It smelled faintly like sagebrush and dust — not unpleasant, just different from anything back home.

We set off single file (they’re strict about that for safety), following these old trails that Tom said were once used by outlaws. I tried to imagine what it would’ve been like riding here a hundred years ago. Every so often he’d point out something — a jackrabbit darting off or cattle grazing in the distance. There was this one moment where everything went quiet except for the creak of saddles and someone’s nervous laugh behind me. I didn’t expect to feel so calm up there, honestly. And yeah, my legs were already feeling it after half an hour but you kind of forget about that when you’re watching the sky turn gold.

After about an hour and a half we looped back to camp. Someone had started up the grill — smoky and sweet in the air — and we all sat down at these rough wooden tables for a proper cowboy BBQ dinner. I’m not sure if it was just hunger or what but that meal tasted better than most things I’ve had in Vegas itself (and they remembered my veggie request). People swapped stories as it got dark; someone tried telling ghost tales but mostly we just laughed at ourselves trying to walk straight after getting off the horses. The ride back to the Strip felt weirdly fast — maybe because I kept replaying that last bit of sunset in my head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wild West horseback ride and dinner

• Pickup from Las Vegas Strip hotel
• Drive 45 minutes to horse ranch
• Meet wranglers and get horse
• Prepare horses for trail ride
• Ride 1.5 hours on outlaw trails
• Spot wildlife and scenic views
• Enjoy authentic western-style dinner
• Return to hotel in Las Vegas

Top questions

How long is the horseback ride from Las Vegas?

The trail ride lasts approximately 1.5 hours, plus travel time from Las Vegas which is about 45 minutes each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this Las Vegas horseback riding tour?

Yes, roundtrip transportation from select Las Vegas Strip hotels is included.

Do I need horseback riding experience?

No experience is needed; horses are matched to your comfort level and guides help beginners.

What’s included in the BBQ dinner?

The western-style dinner includes options for vegetarians if requested when booking.

Are helmets provided for riders?

Helmets are available for all riders upon request and required for children 12 and under.

Is there an age or weight limit?

The minimum age is 6 years old; riders must weigh less than 250 pounds.

Can pregnant women join this horseback tour?

No, pregnant women are not permitted to ride on this tour due to safety reasons.

What should I wear on the horseback ride?

You must wear closed-toe shoes; long pants are recommended for comfort during the ride.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select Las Vegas Strip hotels, a friendly local wrangler guiding your horseback trail ride through Nevada’s desert scenery, use of helmets if needed (mandatory for kids under 13), plus a hearty western-style BBQ dinner with vegetarian options available by request before heading back to town.