Lajitas Stables

Trip Highlights

A delicious lunch -- no sandwiches here!

Sweeping Views into Old Mexico

Well-trained desert horses and mules

Description

Climb to the top of Contrabando Mesa on an adventurous horseback ride, and enjoy breathtaking views all around, before dropping down into "Lunchbox Canyon" for a lovely picnic we pull out of our saddlebags.
- all of our rides are walking, nose-to-tail trail rides.
- we ride horses, donkeys & mules!
- this ride caters to those who consider themselves very adventurous and are seeking that mountain-top feeling! This ride is beginner friendly, but keep in mind we climb about 500 feet on this ride and will ride alongside the edge of the occasional cliff & canyon on a very sure-footed mount.

Itinerary

Expand all

Check-in at Lajitas Stables @ 8:30a

This time is for paperwork, a safety talk, and getting a brief individual riding instruction. Please be on time!

Tour info

Duration

4 to 4:30 hours

Group Size

At least 2

Price starts at

$140

Why take this tour?

Now this is a special lunch date! Our route climbs high into the rugged mountains and mesas that frame the Rio Grande. The spectacular vistas into Mexico make this an unforgettable ride. Our famous saddlebag lunch (smoked meat, imported cheeses & crackers, fresh fruit, and other goodies) is served in the shade of a hidden canyon. After lunch we wind our way back down the Mesa, enjoying more dramatic views across the Rio Grande.

- This is an athletic activity. Those who who have previous riding experience will enjoy this out of the ordinary ride. Adventurous beginners welcome. -

Included

A delicious lunch out on trail!
A walking trail ride
We ride horses, donkeys & mules!
A safety-talk & individual riding instruction

Frequently asked questions

I'm a single rider & it says I need two to book?

Call our office & we can add you to an existing ride!

I've never ridden before, is this a good ride for me?

If you consider yourself adventurous and in good shape, then yes! These are scenic & athletic trails. Not recommended for those with vertigo or fear of heights.

The age minimum says 12, how flexible are you on that?

If you have a 10 or 11yr old that is currently riding, please give our office a call!

Things to know

Cancellation Policy

7 Days. We ride rain or shine

Bring water!

Each rider is responsible for bringing their OWN water on this DESERT ride

Required Attire

Long pants & closed toed shoes. We strongly suggest lightweight long-sleeve shirts & a secure hat for sun protection. Our trails are filled with pokey desert flora and fauna

Age

12yrs +. If you have a 10 or 11yr old that is currently riding, give our office a call!

Weight Limit

Max: 250 lbs. These trails are quite athletic, so riders should be in good health and be able to mount/dismount with no assistance, and have no problems with balance

Riding Experience

Adventurous beginner-friendly, and experienced riders will love these trails!

Location

Lajitas Stables is inside Big Bend Ranch State Park off of HWY 170

11 Reviews Verified

Samantha P

30th November 2024

We went to the Lajitas Stable and did the lunch ride. We started at 9 and ended at 1:30ish. It was an over all amazing ride. The horses, guides, lunch and scenery was great. Armando and Chris were our...

We went to the Lajitas Stable and did the lunch ride. We started at 9 and ended at 1:30ish. It was an over all amazing ride. The horses, guides, lunch and scenery was great. Armando and Chris were our guides. We stayed laughing the whole time. They were full of jokes but very cautious of surroundings and what was going on. We decided it was the best trail ride we’ve ever been on in all our years of riding. The lunch that was provided was actually really decent and way better than what I had envisioned. I would 100% recommend and absolutely do it again

Fatima Rodriguez

29th November 2024

We loved our horse back riding 🥰 our guide Shelby was very friendly, knowledgeable and gave us great suggestions about what to do in town! The ride was beautiful with some great views. A must while you’re visiting.

Jackie

15th November 2024

5 out of 5. We had an amazing 1/2 day ride with lunch and had Evo as our guide. He was an amazing guide and throughly enjoyed our outing with him. Would definitely do it again and request him if we could.

Explorer63171396337

12th November 2024

My daughter an I took the grandaughters on this beautiful ride thru the desert. The hospitality of the two Gentleman who assisted our ride made it perfect.We hope to come back again one day.

Jeff A

5th November 2024

The guides were incredibly patient and helpful. Also very funny. What was amazing was the lunch. Prepared by our guide's sitting by the mountain, while the horses rested. Almondo and the tattooed cowboy were outstanding hosts!

KingWylum

20th September 2024

We did the half-day ride with lunch. Ella was our guide and she was fantastic. The horses were confident and experienced on the trail. The lunch was delicious. we highly recommend Lajitas Stables. It ...

We did the half-day ride with lunch. Ella was our guide and she was fantastic. The horses were confident and experienced on the trail. The lunch was delicious. we highly recommend Lajitas Stables. It was a great adventurous option after several days of hiking.

Bill W.

17th May 2024

WE drove out to the Lajitas Stables for a half day horse back ride with lunch. Our wrangler was Janelle who choose the horses for each of us. I rode Foxy. The trail has amazing views in all directions...

WE drove out to the Lajitas Stables for a half day horse back ride with lunch. Our wrangler was Janelle who choose the horses for each of us. I rode Foxy. The trail has amazing views in all directions. The horses follow behind each other as we climbed up to the top of a Mesa. You could see for miles on this clear day. We stop in a box canyon for lunch. Had a great time. My wife's stirrups could not be adjusted short enough for her legs. She had to hold on tight when going down hill. Enjoyed the ride.

bnaydeck

7th May 2024

What a wonderful ride. I am glad we had some lessons as it made the ride enjoyable as we went up and down the hills. This was a trip of a lifetime and we will return. The views were amazing. The lunch was filling and very good!

Esther S

5th April 2024

To be honest, I was worried that a guided trail ride would be dumb - not so! Our guide, Ella, was very down-to-earth and kind. Our horses had to navigate some very steep cliffs, and at those times it’s just cool to feel yourself letting go and trusting them. The other guest riders in our group were also nice, and my husband (who has never ridden before) said it was his favorite part of our whole trip to Big Bend. Lunch was simple and just really really good in a beautiful canyon. The mountaintop views are gorgeous too.

Emilyap28

23rd March 2024

We did the half day tour with lunch out of the Lajitas stables and it was a highlight of our trip to Big Bend! The staff was so professional and so helpful with getting us ready for our ride. This is ...

We did the half day tour with lunch out of the Lajitas stables and it was a highlight of our trip to Big Bend! The staff was so professional and so helpful with getting us ready for our ride. This is a real deal ride (I recommend doing a different one if you don't like heights), but you will see the most amazing views and have the best time exploring Big Bend State Park. Our guides gave clear and constant instruction, when needed, and the horses are very well trained. We felt safe and so accomplished when we were done with our ride. We loved the meal in lunch box canyon. Such a cool experience and unlike any other tour we've ever done. I highly recommend Lajitas and Big Bend Stables. Find the right ride for you and do it! We are so thankful we were able to do this during our trip. We were a group of four (two adults and two teenagers). Sign up early if you can. I know why these trips fill up quickly. They are awesome!!!

Lajitas Stables – Half Day with Lunch

Trip Highlights

A delicious lunch -- no sandwiches here!

Sweeping Views into Old Mexico

Well-trained desert horses and mules

Description

Itinerary

Tour info

Lajitas Stables

Why take this tour?

Included

A delicious lunch out on trail!

A walking trail ride

We ride horses, donkeys & mules!

A safety-talk & individual riding instruction

Frequently asked questions

Things to know

Cancellation Policy

Bring water!

Required Attire

Age

Weight Limit

Riding Experience

Location

11 Reviews <img style=" width: 18px;" src="https://lajitasstables.com/wp-content/themes/gondola-wp/resources/assets/images/verify.png" alt="verify"> Verified

Samantha P

Fatima Rodriguez

Jackie

Explorer63171396337

Jeff A

KingWylum

Bill W.

bnaydeck

Esther S

Emilyap28

Check Availability

Why book with us?

More adventurous options .accent-svg{fill:#a85e42;}

11 Reviews Verified

More adventurous options