Horseback Riding

 

A ranch hand leads a horse through a grassland on the Baca Ranch, circa 1960s.

Courtesy of Mary Ann Bond Bunten

Horses have been part of the Valles Caldera landscape for centuries. Before the land was privately owned, Indigenous and Hispanic sheepherders would follow their flocks on horseback throughout these hills and valleys each summer, camping for weeks at a time. When this was a working ranch, ranch hands would saddle up before sunrise and ride up to 20 miles per day, checking on livestock, inspecting fences, and tending to other chores throughout the 100,000-acre property.

The legacy of horsemanship continues today at Valles Caldera National Preserve. If you are interested in riding in the Park, please apply for an equestrian permit using the instructions below.

 

Equestrian Permit

Apply for a single-day permit for Valles Caldera.

Apply now

 

Next Steps

1. Application Processing
   Please allow 7-10 days for us to process the application. If you do not hear back from us by then, please inquire about the status of your application by calling the permitting office or emailing [e-mail].
2. Sign Permit
   Once the application has been processed, we will send you a permit to sign. Please sign and return the signed copy to [e-mail].
3. Receive Issued Permit
   After the signed permit is returned, we will issue you the special use permit.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

 

Using your Equestrian Permit

When you receive your permit, it will also contain a vehicle dash permit and a wallet permit card.

1. Print the permit, the vehicle dash permit, and the wallet permit card.
2. Sign the wallet permit card and carry it with you while you’re riding.
3. Place the vehicle dash permit on your vehicle's dash while you are riding.
4. Read and keep your actual permit in the glovebox of your vehicle.

Riders will have to bring their own horses as the park does not have an equestrian concessionaire in operation. Conducting commercial activities requires a Commercial Use Authorization.

 

Horse Trailer Parking

There are two locations within Valles Caldera where horse trailers are allowed to park without a backcountry vehicle pass. 

1. The northeast corner of the parking lot at the Welcome Station can handle up to 2 horse trailers, so long as they are parked in a manner that does not impair the majority of the parking area from being used by other visitors.
2. The parking area at the Horse Barn, north of the Baca Ranch Cabin District. 

In order to drive and park your trailer beyond the Horse Barn, a daily backcountry vehicle pass is required.

Backcountry parking is allowed in designated areas and along roadways so long as gates and roadways are not blocked and so long as tall grass or other combustible material is not exposed to the undercarriage of the vehicle (exhaust systems, including the catalytic converter can be hot enough to cause ignition of flammable material). Parking along roadways must be in-line (parallel to direction of traffic flow with two (2) tires on the roadway) to limit obstruction to a minimum.

No more than six (6) horse trailers, with up to twelve (12) horses, may be parked within the Park at any given time. Parking is limited and is on a first come first serve basis. This permit does not guarantee there will be available parking on any given day.

After November 15, the only horse trailer parking available is at the Welcome Station.

 

Know Before You Go

• The use of one (1) to 12 horses is permitted, provided that humane treatment is accorded the animal at all times and all regulations related to animal use are strictly observed. Much of the Park is over 8,000 feet in elevation. Acclimation of the horse is advisable.

• Each individual riding a horse is required to have a separate permit. A group of riders may not exceed twelve (12) persons/horses in any one party under this permit. Groups of thirteen (13) or more must apply for a separate group special use permit by contacting the park's Special Park Use Coordinator.

• The Permittee will keep a copy of the first two pages of this permit (or the wallet-size permit card) on their person while in the Park and place the vehicle permit on the dashboard of their vehicle.

• A backcountry vehicle pass is required if you wish to drive your vehicle and trailer into the backcountry before beginning your horseback ride. Passes are limited and available seasonally as conditions allow.

• Environmental and safety conditions (snowpack, erosion, flooding) can close certain trails to all public use.

• The Park does allow livestock grazing through a permit process and chances are likely that in some areas you will encounter wranglers working livestock.

Rules of the Trail

• The Permittee is required to stay on trails specifically designated for equestrian use. The Permittee is prohibited from establishing new trails, and short cutting trails and switchbacks. Clearing of vegetation and riding off-trail is prohibited.

• The riding of a horse at a speed greater than a trot is not permitted. Multiple horses must travel in a single file. Riders shall not ride double except for an adult/child combination. Riders must be prepared to cross paths with other recreational users and vehicles.

• Youth riders (sixteen (16) years of age and under) must wear a helmet.

• With the exception of service animals, all domestic animals and pets are prohibited in the backcountry and on most park trails. Pets on leash are permitted within the Baca Ranch Cabin District and on the following hiking trails: Rabbit Mountain, Cerro La Jara, Cabin District, and South Valle Grande.

Leave No Trace

• The use of USDA certified weed-free pelleted feed or hay is required while on the Park to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. All animals must be fed weed-free feed for 24 hours in advance of entering the Park.

• Animals must be tethered at least 300 feet from water sources and in a manner to prevent damage to live trees or shrubs and away from vegetation, alcoves, and archaeological sites to prevent damage.

• A high-line is permitted to tie horses between trees, provided the tree is ten (10) to sixteen (16) inches in diameter at breast height (DBH).When tying a high-line between trees a protective material must first be wrapped around the tree.

• A horse must be under physical control when watering directly from any creek or other body of water within the Park. Watering directly from any spring and feeding/grazing on plant life within the Park are prohibited.

• The Permittee will remove from the Park any excrement from around trailers and haul homes. Animals may not be stabled or corralled on Park property and must be removed from the Park at the end of the day. In places where animals are tethered, manure must be scattered at least 300 feet from water sources.

Emergencies & Incidents

• Emergency procedures: The Permittee will immediately report life-threatening incidents, whether involving the Permittee’s group or other parties, by calling a 911 operator. The Park is located in Sandoval County at 39201 NM-4 or Mile Marker 39.

• Reporting accidents/injuries: The Permittee is required to formally report all incidents involving an accident, collision, fire, or injury within twenty-four (24) hours to NPS law enforcement staff through NPS Glen Canyon Dispatch at 928-608-6301, regardless of the extent of damages and in writing to the NPS permit coordinator.

• Helicopter evacuation or other emergency or special operation will be determined, arranged, and directed by the NPS.