April 2026. Presented by Adventure Equine at Paria River Ranch.
The Spring 2026 retreat has sold out 🤍 If you’re interested in joining us in the fall 2026 or spring 2027 please join the waitlist here. If 5 or more people are interested we will put together a retreat. Happy riding!
Have you ever wanted to check Southern Utah’s bucket list riding off your list with a small group of like minded adventurers? Now’s your chance. Join us for a weekend full of bucket list riding opportunities, education topics that are focused on backcountry skills and free time to explore one of the most magical places in Utah.
The Setting
Paria River lies on the southern border, just half an hour from Arizona. Featuring slot canyons like Buckskin Gulch and Paria River Canyon itself – the riding here is other worldly.
Accommodations are shared in an open floor plan bunkhouse with an outdoor deck area for the evening fire chats. Paria River Ranch has individual corrals for your horses, water and riding direct from the ranch.
The Riding
The famous Buckskin Gulch is just a 30 minute haul away. This ride features bucket list level beauty in one of the longest continuous slot canyon. Other rides include Paria River Canyon (arguably better but less known than Buckskin), Hackberry Canyon, Long Canyon, Moon Canyon and more.
Please note due to the unpredictability and danger of flash floods that no specific trail is guaranteed to have rideable conditions.
The Learning
You will learn an abundance of topics geared towards the adventurous trail rider and backcountry user. Mini clinics include:
- Ultralight Horse Packing
- Horse First Aid in the Backcountry
- How to Manage Wildlife Encounters
- Trail Stories: What Went Wrong, and How We Fixed It
- Desert Dangers: Quicksand, Rattlesnakes and Bogs
- Highlining: Tips for training, and how to use an ultralight highline kit.
- and more topics TBA!
The Schedule
Day 1
2pm – arrive at Paria River Ranch
4pm – time for a short ride, or relax and unpack.
6pm – group dinner, meet & greet and safety briefing.
Day 2
8am – group breakfast.
Trail ride time and mini clinic. Times dependent on weather.
7pm – group dinner.
Day 3
8am – group breakfast
9am – 11am – mini clinic.
Afternoon free for exploring the area. Grab a buddy to ride with or go explore the nearby area. Kayaking Lake Powell, exploring Horseshoe Bend and touring Antelope Canyons are all within 30 minute driving distance. Instructor can recommend other horse and hiking trails if desired.
9pm – optional star gazing at nearby trailhead.
Day 4
8am – group breakfast
Trail ride time and mini clinic. Times dependent on weather.
7pm – group dinner.
Day 5
8am – group breakfast.
9am – one last trail ride or join instructor for an open question formatted learning talk on the patio.
12pm – packed up and headed home.
The Cost
Week 1 / Bunkhouse Accommodations – SOLD OUT (April 3rd-7th)
> Bring Your Own Horse: $1400 – (0 of 5 spots available)
> Borrow a Horse: $1700 – (0 of 1 spot available)
Week 2 / Dry Camping – SOLD OUT (April 8th-12th)
> Bring Your Own Horse: $1100 – (0 of 5 spots available)
> Borrow a Horse: $1400 – (0 of 1 spot available)
Week 3 / Dry Camping – Taking Reservations! April 15th – 19th
> Bring Your Own Horse: $1100 – (1 of 4 spots available)
> Borrow a Horse: $1400 – (1 of 1 spot available)
Payment Plan: $200 processing fee. Customize your payments to your budget and receive a monthly invoice. Please email to set up.
Your fee includes all group meals, instruction, shared accommodation during the retreat, recordings of two Adventure Equine virtual workshops (Gaia and Route Planning), horse corrals and a few surprises.
Your fee DOES NOT include transportation to the ranch or trails, trailhead day use fees, alcohol, food outside of group meals, local attractions and tours or anything outside of the inclusions above.
50% deposit of the fee is is due at time of registration, remaining 50% is due 60 days prior to retreat (February 1st, 2025). Unless on an approved payment plan.
Cancellation Policy:
There are no refunds of deposit or payments due to the inability to fill a trip of this nature at the last minute.
However, your deposit or full payment may be applied to a future trip, retreat, guided overnight, clinic or other classes offered by Adventure Equine within 24 months of original trip. Adventure Equine makes no guarantee of a class location or schedule at any given time due to the unique nature of this curriculum.
Ready to Sign Up? Click here!
Want to extend your adventure in Utah? There’s more riding in the area than we can do in a weekend. Extend your stay with Paria River Ranch or explore Bryce, Zion, Moab or other areas before or after the retreat. Reach out to Niki @ adventure.equines@gmail.com for area recommendations.
Moquistang; one little mustang who does it all. 