Horseback riding is one of those classic Colorado activities you have to do at least once, whether you live in state or are visiting from out of town. In 2021, I was able to go horseback riding through Garden of the Gods with my husband which was a super cool experience, so we decided to go riding again this year while my in-laws were in town. This time around, we opted to book our ride through American Safari Ranch in Fairplay, about 45 minutes outside of Breckenridge.

The main appeal of American Safari Ranch for our group was they don’t do nose-to-tail riding, but actually let your group space out and ride alongside each other. The setting also looked beautiful, with rolling hills, forests, and some water crossings as well.

Our guide for the day was Pedro, a super friendly and knowledgeable ranch hand from Spain. We booked an hour and a half ride which was the perfect amount of time to take a beautiful loop up a rocky mountain and through a gorgeous forest of aspens. All of the horses were very well-trained and Pedro did a great job sharing facts about the area, the ranch, and our horses. All in all, we had a fantastic time, and I would say it was one of my top horseback riding experiences yet!

American Safari Ranch also offers ATV tours and various lodging options. The ranch is also home to some adorable goats and even some alpacas!