Guided Trail Rides

1-Hour Trail Ride

Most Popular!
Experience Level: Beginner-friendly
French Creek Natural Area | Max 16 riders in a group

Our riders absolutely love this tour for its breathtaking scenery and relaxed pace. Designed for beginners, our 1-Hour Ride strikes the perfect balance between gentle guidance and the thrill of hitting the trail. Whether it’s your first time in the saddle or you’re looking for a leisurely adventure, this ride offers a welcoming experience for all.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Creek Nature Area, you’ll explore parts of a 2,200-acre haven of unspoiled beauty. This protected space features backcountry hiking trails that wind through the French Creek Gorge, offering an up-close encounter with nature. Keep your eyes open for wildlife like bighorn sheep, eagles, and trout, or take in the seasonal blooms of wildflowers. It’s a true escape into the heart of the wilderness.

Although personal belongings, including water bottles, should be left behind for safety, feel free to bring your cell phone to capture those magical moments. Snap away and take memories home with you from this one-of-a-kind adventure!

2025 Rates: Adults & Children (age 5+): $75 person
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2-Hour Trail Ride

9am departures
Experience Level: Advanced Beginner
French Creek Natural Area | Max 16 riders in a group

For those looking to explore even deeper into the backcountry, our 2-Hour Ride takes you further into the stunning French Creek Nature Area. This extended adventure is perfect for riders of all skill levels who want to experience more of the untouched natural beauty and wildlife, offering a peaceful and immersive journey through the wilderness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, this ride provides an unforgettable experience with extra time to soak in the scenery.

As you ride through the stunning French Creek Nature Area, you’ll explore more of its 2,200-acre haven, passing pristine pools of water, towering rock formations, and lush forests. This extended journey includes multiple creek crossings and offers a closer look at the diverse wildlife, including bighorn sheep, eagles, and seasonal wildflowers. It’s a true immersion in nature, taking you to some of the most peaceful and untouched parts of the park.

Note: This ride does not include stops. There will be no breaks, water access, and no dismounting during the ride. All riders will remain in the saddle for the full two hours. If this extended timeframe is a concern for you, consider our 1-Hour or Express Ride, instead.

2025 Rates: Adults & Children (age 7+): $160 person
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New! Express Trail Ride

Afternoons only
Experience Level: Beginner-friendly
Lame Johnny Private Hideaway Trail | Max 8 riders in a group

For those short on time but still wanting to experience the beauty of the French Creek Nature Area in a smaller group, our 30-minute Express Ride is the perfect option. Ideal for novices, young riders, or anyone looking for a quick adventure, this ride offers a taste of the stunning landscapes and peaceful surroundings that make our longer rides so popular. Whether you’re new to horseback riding or just want a brief escape, this quick adventure guarantees a memorable experience.

2025 Rates: Adults & Children (age 5+): $55 person
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Note: Our Half- and Full-Day Trail Rides take you deep into the Custer State Park backcountry of French Creek Natural Area. Time on a saddle can be strenuous. These rides are not for beginners. Proper health, experience and advanced hydration is required from all riders on these advanced rides.

Half Day Trail Ride

9am departures
Experience Level: Intermediate-to-Advanced
French Creek Natural Area | Max 8 riders in a group | Lunch at Blue Bell Lodge

Our Intermediate Half-Day Trail Ride offers an exhilarating adventure through the heart of the French Creek Natural Area, designed for riders who are confident in their riding abilities and comfortable steering their horse. This 3 to 3.5-hour ride takes you deeper into the backcountry, with stunning views overlooking Parker Canyon and ample opportunities to spot wildlife such as bison, pronghorns, prairie dogs, and more. It’s the perfect ride for those looking to challenge themselves and explore more rugged terrain.

As you ride through this beautiful landscape, you’ll be guided by an experienced wrangler who will help you navigate the trails and backcountry areas, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. After your ride, you'll head to Blue Bell Lodge for a well-deserved lunch, where you can relax and enjoy the company of your wrangler while taking in the peaceful surroundings.

This ride is ideal for intermediate-to-advanced riders seeking a more adventurous, immersive experience in nature. Don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning views and memorable wildlife sightings—it’s a ride you won’t want to miss!

2025 Rates: $300 person (age 10+)
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Note: This ride does not include stops. There will be no breaks, water access, and no dismounting during the ride. All riders will remain in the saddle for the entirety of the ride. If this extended timeframe is a concern for you, do not book this ride.

Full Day Trail Ride

9am departures
Experience Level: Advanced
French Creek Natural Area | Max 8 riders in a group | Sack Cowboy Lunch at Parker Canyon

Our Advanced Full-Day Trail Ride is the ultimate adventure for experienced riders looking to immerse themselves in the breathtaking backcountry. This full-day ride takes you deep into the rugged French Creek Natural Area, where you’ll navigate challenging terrain and encounter stunning landscapes. The ride often finds the bison herds, offering a rare chance to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, along with pronghorns, prairie dogs, and other wildlife.

Over the course of the day, you’ll cover diverse landscapes and breathtaking vistas, guided by our expert wranglers who will lead you through the most remote and beautiful parts of the park. A sack lunch is provided along the way, allowing you to refuel and enjoy the tranquil surroundings before continuing your ride through this untamed wilderness.

This ride is designed for advanced riders who are confident in their ability to steer and control their horse over varied and challenging terrain. If you’re looking for a truly immersive backcountry experience with the chance to encounter bison and explore some of the park’s most secluded areas, this full-day ride is the adventure of a lifetime. Be sure to bring your camera—it’s a day full of unforgettable moments!

2025 Rates: $600 person (age 10+)
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Note: This ride does not include stops. There will be no breaks, water access, and no dismounting during the ride until Parker Canyon is reached. All riders will remain in the saddle for 3.5 hours each way. If this extended timeframe is a concern for you, do not book this ride.

Arrive anytime between 8am - 12pm
Experience Level: Beginner-friendly
Age 2+

A short introduction to riding for the kids, this low-key loop is perfect for new Lil' Buckaroos who are not yet ready to ride alone out on the trail. This ride is perfect for Lil' Buckaroos who are experiencing a horse for the first time! Your little rider will be led by a wrangler for three times around our buckaroo circle. Generally a 10-15 minute ride, there is plenty of time to take pictures and to interact with the horse, and your rider will never be out of sight. This ride is open to children of all ages.

Buckaroo rides are done between 8 a.m. - noon. Reserve your ride online.

Buckaroo Ride: $25

Open mid-May through the end of September. Closed Sundays. Departure times vary from 8:30am to 1pm. Departures vary by season. Check available departure times by booking online.

Must arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time for check-in, waivers, and horse assignments.

• Advanced reservations strongly recommended.
• Place your reservation online.
• 48-hour cancellation policy strictly enforced.

Must arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time to complete required paperwork and waivers.

Children must ride alone and meet minimum safety requirements. All guests 18 and younger are required to wear a helmet (provided).

Should a ride be rescheduled due to weather, you will be contacted by the Stables staff and we will make every effort to reschedule your ride.

Closed-toe shoes required. Maximum weight limit: 230 lbs for individuals who are 6 feet tall or less. (For those 6 feet or taller, the max limit is 240 lbs).

The Black Hills are set in an ever-changing climate. For safety, rides may be delayed or rescheduled due to excessive heat, active thunder and/or lightning...but just like the cowboys before us, we will ride in the rain.

The Blue Bell herd consists of 60+ horses at any given time. There is a variety of horses including: Quarter Horses, Draft Crosses, Halflingers, and Fjords. Just like people, each horse has its own personality and uniqueness.

Where do the horses go at night?

Our horses are alternated between the hay feedlot and grass pastures. We also supplement with mineral lick tubs.

How often do we shoe the horses?

Every six weeks! That’s a lot of horseshoes! Bring $1 with you and take home a horseshoe of your own.

Where do the horses go in the off-season?

Out to pasture, where they are allowed time-off to relax and eat.

Are we allowed to feed the horses treats?

No, our horses are trained with a working mentality, many do not know what treats are. We do not feed treats to minimize reaching for guests’ fingers. On the wellness side, we like to manage our horse’s intake.

I have never ridden a horse before, is that ok?

Of course! First-timers are welcome.

Where are you located?

Blue Bell Stables is located within the same vicinity as Blue Bell Lodge. Please follow the brown and white signs to Blue Bell Lodge. We are 100 yards South on Highway 87 from the lodge. You will see the horses; you can’t miss us! Please use this address for your GPS: 25453 Highway 87, Custer, SD 57730

Are we allowed to double ride with our kids?

No, we do not allow double riding.

Can I bring apples and carrots to feed to the horses?

No, we do not allow our horses to eat treats.

Will we see buffalo on our ride?

Buffalo are free roaming in the park. In the event we see buffalo, we will keep a safe distance and reroute if needed.

Is the trail shaded by trees or mostly sunny?

Our beautiful trails will see about half sun and half shade. Most of our guests wear sunscreen just in case.

To ensure the safety of all riders, we ask that you leave behind: backpacks, purses, fanny packs, cameras, Go-Pros, ponchos, neck accessories and water bottles. We do not allow anything hanging from or tied to you. If you chose to wear a jacket, it must remain on and zipped for the duration of the ride. Cellphones are permitted to take pictures.