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When people think of New York, they often think of the bustling city life of New York City, but the state has much more to offer than skyscrapers. If you are looking for your next great adventure in the saddle, there are some wonderful spots for horse riding in New York.
Some of the best places to go horseback riding in New York include riding centers, equestrian trails, and beaches.
Whether you have your own horse or are looking for a guided trail ride, these destinations offer beautiful scenery, along with expert training and care.
7 Best New York Horse Riding Trails
New York is home to some beautiful scenery, from forests to sandy beaches. The state has some amazing destinations for trail riding and even beach riding.
Highland Forest
Just south of Syracuse, Highland Forest offers over 20 scenic miles of equestrian trails. Located in Onondaga County park, the trails are open for riding from May 1 – October 31.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own horses, but they must register at Skyline Lodge to receive a permit. Guided trail rides are also offered by Highland Outfitters. In addition, they also offer sleigh and wagon rides as well from December 13 – March 7. The rugged forest terrain creates a beautiful backdrop for a relaxing trail ride.
Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Located in Pleasantville, Rockefeller State Park Preserve has beautiful forested hills and valleys surrounding lovely sunlit pastoral fields. Throughout the park, there are miles of scenic equestrian trails.
Riders are welcome to bring their own horses to the park with a permit. Not only is horseback riding allowed in the park, but so is carriage driving.
Mohonk Preserve
Located in Gardiner, Mohonk Preserve offers a stunning view of the amazing Shawangunk Mountains. With a permit, guests are welcome to bring their own horses for a relaxing ride.
All equestrian trails are on historic 19th-century carriage roads. On the trails you will enjoy forested trails and breathtaking views from open fields down to the valley below. These wide trails have little human traffic and no vehicles besides the occasional ranger truck, allowing for a peaceful ride.
Mohonk Mountain House offers popular guided horseback riding tours through Mohonk Preserve, so be sure to check them out!
Roaring Brook Ranch Resort
If you are looking for a relaxing and fun weekend getaway, Roaring Brook Ranch Resort in Lake George has you covered. As a pet-friendly dude ranch, they offer a one-of-a-kind equestrian experience complete with picturesque trails.
The resort has miles of gorgeous trails surrounded by Prospect Mountain, with unbeatable views of Lake George. After a relaxing day in the saddle, guests can enjoy a soothing visit to the pool or sauna. They also offer hiking, bicycling, tennis, yoga massages and more.
Overland Morgan Horse Farm
Just outside of Dansville, Overland Morgan Horse Farm offers guided trails rides across wooded trails with hilltop views. All the horses used for the trail rides are gorgeous Morgan horses.
Throughout the wooded trails, visitors are likely to catch a glimpse of local wildlife in addition to some stunning views of the scenery. Trail rides are available for one to two hours, from spring to late October.
Adirondack Saddle Tours
With Adirondack Saddle Tours, guests can enjoy a relaxing ride in the Adirondack Mountains. Different trail rides are available, including the beautiful Adirondack woods, Cascade Lake, Cascade Falls and Moss Lake.
As a member of “Paralyzed Veterans of America”, they offer specialized paraplegic saddles to accommodate anyone with problems using their lower body. They also offer special arrangements for those with PTSD or any disability. Guided trail rides are available for anywhere from one hour to five and a half hours.
The Crosspatch
Located in Salamanca, The Crosspatch specializes in beautiful Paint horses and offers a variety of guided trail rides. Guests are welcome to bring their own horses or use one of stables.
Trail rides are available anywhere from one hour to overnight trips. Visitors will have the opportunity to ride through dense forests and streams, all while seeing abundant wildlife. Specialty offers are available including marriage proposal rides, chuckwagon dinners, stagecoach rides and pub rides.Media
6 Best New York Horse Riding Beaches
Cedar Beach, Babylon
Cedar Beach, located in Babylon, is a stunning beachfront located on the South Shore of Long Island. This wide sandy beach offers panoramic ocean views that create a serene backdrop for horse riding.
The soft sandy trails and tranquil ocean breeze make horse riding an unforgettable experience here. Off-season times are particularly favored by equestrians for a peaceful, uninterrupted gallop along the coastline.
With plenty of parking available, it’s a well-facilitated area that also offers amenities like restrooms, a marina, and a fishing pier.
Montauk County Park, Montauk
On the easternmost tip of Long Island is Montauk County Park, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The park boasts a fantastic horse trail that skirts the beach, providing riders with unbeatable ocean views.
But it’s not just the beach that makes this park special – the landscape is rich with woodland trails, expansive marshes, and fields, presenting a wide variety of terrain for horse riding.
Horse owners can make a day of their visit, exploring the different trails and enjoying the area’s natural beauty.
Hither Hills State Park, Montauk
Hither Hills State Park in Montauk is another great location for beach horse riding. This state park is known for its scenic views of the ocean, diverse terrains, and wide-open spaces.
Riders have the chance to explore sandy trails, wooded areas, and dunes, all while enjoying the calming sound of the sea. The park also offers campsites for those looking to extend their stay.
Keep in mind that horse riding is seasonally permitted; it’s best to check the park’s current regulations before planning a visit.
Napeague State Park, Amagansett
If you’re looking for a quieter, less crowded place to ride, Napeague State Park in Amagansett might be your best bet. Its isolated location offers a peaceful setting for horse riding. This undeveloped preserve is home to various bird species, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
The park’s terrain offers a mix of sandy beaches, dunes, and marshland, providing a diverse experience for riders.
Sagg Main Beach, Sagaponack
Situated in the heart of the Hamptons, Sagg Main Beach is an exquisite location for horse riding. During the off-season, when the beach is less crowded, it’s possible to ride horses along the shore.
The beach provides a picture-perfect setting, with its white sands, clear blue waters, and dunes lined with beach grass. Plus, the local area has a rich equestrian culture, with several horse farms and riding schools nearby.
Block Island Sound, Montauk
An unmissable gem in Montauk is the opportunity to horse ride by the Block Island Sound. Visitors can embark on this unique experience from the local Deep Hollow Ranch, renowned as the oldest working ranch in the United States.
With seasoned guides leading the way, you can enjoy a leisurely ride along the sandy beaches, with the mesmerizing view of the Block Island Sound as your backdrop.
The trail rides from Deep Hollow Ranch offer a range of experiences, from beach rides to trail rides that take you through breathtaking landscapes of coastal forests, open fields, and sand dunes.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, the ranch caters to all levels of horse riding skills.
6 Best New York Horse Riding Centers
If you are looking to take some riding lessons or board your horse, there are some top-notch equestrian centers in New York. Here are six of the most popular and best-rated.
New York Equestrian Center
Located in West Hempstead, New York Equestrian Center was originally built in the 1920s and was later completely redeveloped in 2012. The state-of-the-art facility has an eco-friendly, indoor climate-controlled environment with a viewing mezzanine observation area.
Private, semi-private and group lessons are available in hunter/jumper, dressage, western and drill team. Boarding is available with the option for training for those wanting to show. Trail rides are also available through the facility at Hempstead Lake State Park.
Jamaica Bay Riding Academy
Jamaica Bay Riding Academy offers private guided instructional rides. Conveniently located in Brooklyn, their rides go through beautiful wooded trails, while also going along their stunning private beach.
Group trail rides are available every day, along with private rides that cater to 2-4 people at a time. They also offer lessons in dressage, hunter/jumpers and equitation. In addition, Jamaica Bay also has a therapeutic riding program, summer camps and boarding.
Heberle Stables
Heberle Stables offers a variety of different equestrian services to those in the Rochester area. Their in-depth lesson program educates beginner through advanced riders in hunt seat riding.
The facilities at Heberle Stables include a geodesic dome indoor riding, tack and viewing room and 40 box stalls. Boarding is available and the stables often compete at hunter/jumper shows. In addition, they also have trail rides, sleigh rides, hayrides and parties.
Bronx Equestrian Center, Inc
Conveniently located in Pelham Bay Park, Bronx Equestrian Center offers a wide variety of equestrian programs. From new to experiences riders, they can help accommodate people of all skill levels.
They offer lessons in both english and western riding disciplines, as well as a therapeutic riding program. In addition, they offer trail rides so people can get away from the hustle of the city for a relaxing ride. For those who own horses, boarding is available as well as sales and service.
Riverdale Stables
Housed in Van Cortlandt Park, Riverdale Stables offers a wide variety of programs to teach people of all ages and levels to ride. They have programs such as drill teams, an IEA team, therapeutic riding, adult classes, jumping lessons, dressage lessons and even schooling shows.
In addition, the stable also offers boarding and training services, along with summer and winter camps. Their indoor ring features a heated viewing area while the outdoor rings allow for gorgeous views of the park. The 80 stall barn is in the process of being updated with new modern amenities.
Painted Bar Stables
Located in Burdett, Painted Bar Stables resides along Seneca Lake Wine Trail with views of cascading waterfalls and glacier-carved hills. They provide many programs, including horse riding lessons, boarding, courses, seminars and camps.
The facility also offers trail rides along the breathtakingly beautiful countryside. They offer an in-depth apprentice internship program to give experience to those looking for a career in the equestrian world. The stable also has a breeding program, with a Quarter horse stallion and Paint stallion both standing at stud.
