South Rim--For horseback riding near the South Rim, go to Apache Stables (tel. 928/638-2891; www.apachestables.com), which operates from April through October behind the now-closed Moqui Lodge, just outside the park's south entrance. Most of the horses at the stables are "dog-friendly," as our guide put it. They're retired ranch horses that average 15 years in age. Because they're gentle and know the trails around the stables, you need only kick your steed periodically to make sure it keeps going. The rest of the time, you can relax and enjoy your horse's swaying and the ponderosa pine forest.
The friendly horses make this a great, albeit expensive, family activity. Children as young as 8 (and 48 in. tall) are allowed on the 1-hour trail rides, which, like the 2-hour ones, loop through the Kaibab National Forest near the stables. Apache Stables also offers a 4-hour, 12-mile round-trip ride east through the forest to a view point at the East Rim. There, riders dismount and cross Highway 64 on foot to admire the canyon. You must be 10 or over to go on the 2-hour ride, 14 to go on the 4-hour ride. Weight limits are 230 pounds, 220 pounds, and 200 pounds for the 1-, 2-, and 4-hour rides, respectively.
Other options are an evening trail ride and a wagon ride, both going to a campfire where participants roast marshmallows and other food they bring.
Prices are $6 (plus tax) for the 4-hour East Rim ride, $55 for the 2-hour ride, $31 for the 1-hour ride, $41 for the campfire trail ride, and $13 for the campfire wagon ride. Participants should wear long pants and closed-toed footwear, and bring plenty of water. Backpacks are not allowed, but fanny packs are okay.
North Rim--On the North Rim, Canyon Trail Rides (tel. 435/679-8665) offers horseback rides from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday from May 15 through September 15. A shuttle bus to the trail head departs from the Grand Canyon Lodge. One-hour rim rides have a 7-year-old age minimum and cost $30 per person; half-day rides to Uncle Jim's Point or Supai Tunnel each have a 10-year-old age minimum and cost $55, and full-day rides to Roaring Springs have a 12-year-old age minimum and cost $105. There is a 220-lb. weight limit for each of the rides, except the full-day ride to Roaring Springs, which has a weight limit of 200 lb.
