Big Bend Stables

Trip Highlights

Mountainous views!

Well-trained desert horses & mules

Description

This one is all about a gentle relaxing ride thru the desert magic of Big Bend.

We will wind past the visible remnants of our mining legacy and abandoned adobe homes. Pioneering here was not for the faint of heart. Our trails wander along the edge of Big Bend National Park. Just enough up and down to be fun without being too scary.Off in the distance, you can see the famous canyon walls of Santa Elena Canyon which lays inside the National Park. Throughout the ride, take in the sweeping vistas of Maverick Mountain, Indian Head, Willow Mountain, Bee Mountain, and the rich history that endures in this remarkable landscape.

Ages 6+
Weight Limit 270lbs
**If you are looking for a more rugged & adventurous ride, or have more riding experience, we think you would really enjoy our Lajitas Stables location (Adventurous & Rugged Trails)**

Itinerary

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You must check-in at Big Bend Stables AT 9:00AM

This time is for paperwork, a safety talk, and getting a brief individual riding lesson. Please prepare ahead of time & do your best to be on time, if not a little early! Arriving late and/or unprepared will affect your ride.

Tour Info

Duration

2 hours

Group Size

At least 2

Price starts at

$85

Why take this tour?

If you like history, our knowledgeable guides will tell you everything they know about the operations of the Study Butte Mine, open approximately 1901-1971. What is Mercury and what was it used for? Why did the mines shutdown? How did the miners live? The mining of this region is a crucial turning point in the discovery of the Big Bend.
This ride is catered for beginners/first-time riders, older folks, and those with kids as young as 6.
If you are an adventurous beginner or are an experienced rider, check out our rides out of our Lajitas Stables! We think you'd like those trails a lot

Included

We ride horses, donkeys, and mules!
A safety-talk & an individual riding lesson
A walking trail ride

Excluded

Water -- each rider needs to bring their own!!

Frequently asked questions

I'm by myself & it says I need two to book?

Call the office if you are a single adult rider & we can add you to an existing ride

Is it okay if I've never ridden?

This is a very beginner friendly trail. Our horses and mules are very well trained!

Is this ride in Big Bend National Park?

No; horseback outfitters are not allowed to operate in the National Park, but our trails do border the National Park fence

How fast do we go on this ride?

All of our rides are walking trail-rides

Things to know

Be on Time

You need to be at the stables at 9:00 for check-in

Time Zone

BIG BEND STABLES is on CENTRAL TIME. Many phones change to MT upon arrival to the Big Bend. Double check your phone so you don't miss your ride.

Bring water!

Each rider is responsible for bringing their own water for this DESERT ride

Required Attire

Long pants & closed toed shoes. We strongly recommend a lightweight long-sleeve shirt!! Our trails are filled with pokey desert flora and fauna

Weight Limit

Max 270 lbs. Riders must be able to mount/dismount with little to no assistance. Riders should be in good health & be able to balance properly in the saddle going up and downhill. Your horse/mule is balancing themselves while also balancing you!

Riding Experience

Beginner friendly, no experience needed!

Cancellation

7 Days; we ride rain or shine!

Age requirement

6yrs & up; 6yr olds will be led by a wrangler on a donkey.

Where We're Located

Big Bend Stables is at the junction of HWY 118 & 170, near the Alon Gas Station, and just a few miles outside of Big Bend National Park.

Reviews 27 Verified reviews

John Sander

28th December 2025

It’s an excellent way to experience the desert and the Big Bend area. Views of the Mesa, the mountains, and abandoned mines. We were a family of beginners and everyone had an amazing experience. Ask...

It’s an excellent way to experience the desert and the Big Bend area. Views of the Mesa, the mountains, and abandoned mines. We were a family of beginners and everyone had an amazing experience. Ask for Makenzie. She took great care of us during our half day ride. She made it fun and she taught us so much about the history of the area.

Jedi Dad

25th November 2025

We had a good time but after 15 minutes my ass was already hurting. I guess I’m not built for horse riding. The tour guide was super friendly and funny. My only complaint is the terrain that you rid...

We had a good time but after 15 minutes my ass was already hurting. I guess I’m not built for horse riding. The tour guide was super friendly and funny. My only complaint is the terrain that you ride on is really not natural terrain. It’s just a lot of remains from an old mercury mine and even an old abandoned golf course.

Casey Howe

18th September 2025

My boyfriend and I did a morning 2 hour old mine tour and it was wonderful! Our tour guide was great at explaining things along the way and took amazing photos of us at the top. I will say some parts ...

My boyfriend and I did a morning 2 hour old mine tour and it was wonderful! Our tour guide was great at explaining things along the way and took amazing photos of us at the top. I will say some parts of the journey were a little scary for a beginner horseback rider but overall it was such a fun time!

MSE

30th June 2025

If you want the best big bend scenery in the cowboy experience way, this is the place. Don’t worry if you’re scared of horses, these horses/mules are very well accustomed to the trials. Went with ...

If you want the best big bend scenery in the cowboy experience way, this is the place. Don’t worry if you’re scared of horses, these horses/mules are very well accustomed to the trials. Went with my wife and my parents, guide was great, this was our second time, would use again the next time we are in big bend!

Alexis E

21st June 2025

Beautiful and peaceful ride. Our guide was very patient with our 6 year old who talked to him the entire 2 hours 🤪😅 He also hasnt stopped telling everyone about riding his donkey patty in the desert 😂

C M

30th May 2025

We live in Texas and Terlingua is in Texas same time zone. Guess what our devices switched to mountain time with no warning therefore we was late. Thankfully they called. Thankfully we were treated ve...

We live in Texas and Terlingua is in Texas same time zone. Guess what our devices switched to mountain time with no warning therefore we was late. Thankfully they called. Thankfully we were treated very nicely. The horses were very healthy and minded the trails very well. My 9 year old son was safe on Ole Smokey Joe. Julie our guide was friendly and knowledgeable and has safely as number one goal. It was a wonderful experience. Please take the time and check to see if your phone switched.

anthony murphy

30th May 2025

5/27/25 2 hour morning ride. Start time 9am.My clock reverted from central time to mountain time. Which is an hour in reverse. 😬 Some phones do it & some dont.🤷‍♂️ I think it has something...

5/27/25 2 hour morning ride. Start time 9am.My clock reverted from central time to mountain time. Which is an hour in reverse. 😬 Some phones do it & some dont.🤷‍♂️ I think it has something to do with a new cell tower in the area. At 9 am [ 8 am on my phone ] I received a call from the stables asking if I was coming to ride. I said yes, at 9. She explained that it was 9am. Luckily we were staying at Far Flung Adventures & was able to get there quickly. It was great that they took the time to call. They could have just taken the money & rode off into the sunset. What makes this ride unique is the trail goes thru an area that use to be a mining operation & you can see Santa Elena Canyon from your saddle. Happy trails.......🐎🐎🐎

KarenPren

29th May 2025

Just got done with the morning trail ride at Big Bend stables and it surpassed our expectations. Our guide, Janelle, was the best! And the scenery was breath taking. I’ve ridden before, but was impr...

Just got done with the morning trail ride at Big Bend stables and it surpassed our expectations. Our guide, Janelle, was the best! And the scenery was breath taking. I’ve ridden before, but was impressed with their safety measures to make sure all levels of riders were safe on the rocky, steep trail.

Heath Langford

17th May 2025

My wife and I did a sunset trail ride at Big Bend Stables and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Evo, our guide, made sure we had a great time, pointing out historical sites and geographic features, s...

My wife and I did a sunset trail ride at Big Bend Stables and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Evo, our guide, made sure we had a great time, pointing out historical sites and geographic features, sharing stories of the area, and offering tips on other local activities to try. We followed his recommendation and did the Lost Mine Trail hike in Big Bend National Park the next morning, and he was absolutely right on. Can’t go wrong with him as your guide or trip consultant.Tell Evo we sent you when you go for a ride.

Big Bend Stables – Morning 2HR Old Mine Tour

Trip Highlights

Mountainous views!

Well-trained desert horses & mules

Description

Itinerary

Tour Info

Big Bend Stables

Why take this tour?

Included

We ride horses, donkeys, and mules!

A safety-talk & an individual riding lesson

A walking trail ride

Excluded

Water -- each rider needs to bring their own!!

Frequently asked questions

Things to know

Be on Time

Time Zone

Bring water!

Required Attire

Weight Limit

Riding Experience

Cancellation

Age requirement

Where We're Located

Reviews <img style=" width: 18px;" src="https://lajitasstables.com/wp-content/themes/gondola-wp/resources/assets/images/verify.png" alt="verify"> 27 Verified reviews

John Sander

Jedi Dad

Casey Howe

MSE

Alexis E

C M

anthony murphy

KarenPren

Heath Langford

Check Availability

Why book with us?

Other Big Bend Stables rides .accent-svg{fill:#a85e42;}

Reviews 27 Verified reviews

Other Big Bend Stables rides