Yosemite Horseback Riding Information |
Contact Information:
- Tuolumne (209) 372-8427
- Wawona (209) 375-6502
- Yosemite Valley Stable (209) 372-8348
Riding stables in Yosemite are open in the summer, offering guided rides. Public stables are present in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows. Many operations outside Yosemite ride horses into the park. Horses are allowed in many sections of the backcountry; check with the park wilderness office for more information.
Horse and Pack Stock Information
- Maximum group size is 15 people and 25 head of stock.
- Traveling cross country with stock is prohibited.
- Only well-broken, properly shod, gentle stock in good healthy condition should be used in the park.
- Llamas may not be used on the High Sierra Loop Trail including the Nevada Falls Trail complex. (Exception: PCT users from Donahue Pass to Glen Aulin)
- Grazing is permitted wherever backcountry camping is allowed except surrounding the High Sierra Camps (HSC). Feed must be carried by stock parties planning to camp near HSC.
- Wilderness stock users must carry and use a shovel and rake to naturalize camps or scatter manure.
- Pets and firearms are both prohibited in Yosemite wilderness. One firearm may be carried by the lead packer provided it is unloaded, out of sight, and ammunition is kept separate from the weapon.
Prepare Your Stock
- Much of Yosemite's wilderness is over 8,000 feet in elevation. Acclimatization of stock is advisable.
- Stock and riders with little or no mountain experience may have problems with glacial polished "slick rock," rapid stream crossings, slide areas, and other unfamiliar conditions.
- Stock should be trained to picket, stand tied or use hobbles before going overnight in the mountains.
On The Trail
- Parking space at trailheads is often very limited during the summer season and it is advisable to contact a ranger station prior to arrival for advice on where to unload stock.
- Stock parties must stay on established trails.
- Shortcutting of trails and switchbacks is prohibited.
- Off trail or cross country travel is prohibited except within one-fourth mile of the trail for watering, rest stops, overnight camping or grazing.
- Always travel in single file.
- Loose herding of saddle or pack stock is prohibited except when necessary to prevent injury to stock or people.
- Park roads or paved trails may not be used by stock except where crossing is necessary.
- When exercising the general rule of livestock right-of-way over hikers, the hiker should politely be asked to step off the trail on the uphill side in plain view and remain quiet until stock has passed.
In Camp
- Use a hardened site at least four miles from the trailhead. Select your campsite carefully.
- Camp and tie stock at least 100 feet from water.
- Tie stock so they cannot chew on tree bark or eat the leaves of woody vegetation. A hitch line between trees is recommended. Wrap trees under rope to protect bark.
- Pack out all trash, including any trash left in a campfire pit.
- Rake or scatter manure at all rest stops and when breaking camp.
- Fill in all holes and return all trampled areas to their natural state.
- Never tie stock to trees, except for rest or loading and unloading.
- Never picket stock in wet meadows.
- Never make permanent improvements, i.e. corrals, hitching rails, tables, or benches.