The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn’t stop the spirit of adventure in Montana. Winter is magical and beautiful in the Treasure State, and one surprising activity that Montanans love is horseback riding. Simply put, winter horseback riding in Montana is an experience unlike anything else. While mild winter days bring plenty of opportunity to ride, not every trail in the state is equipped to handle both the snow and horses. But following is a list of seven places you can go horseback riding in Montana this winter for a beautiful adventure.

1. West Boulder Meadows, McLeod
West Boulder Meadows, Montana 59052, USA
Sarah Spromberg/AllTrails
This 8-mile trail is open all year (when you can brave the elements) and offers beautiful river views and terrain that's easy for horses to traverse. Another plus is that these breathtaking trails at West Boulder Meadows are well-marked and easy to find. You can enjoy a beautiful and gentle ride while enjoying the gorgeous scenery near the little town of McLeod.
2. Whitefish Trail, Whitefish Lake State Park
Whitefish Lake State Park, 1615 W Lakeshore Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
Ron Kroetz/Flickr
You'll find everything from dogs to bicyclists and horseback riders on this easy 18-mile trail located near Whitefish Lake. This is one of the easier trail rides in Montana, so horses shouldn’t have a tough time with it if they don’t mind the longer trail length relative to some other horseback riding trails.
3. Boiling River Trail, Gardiner
Boiling River Hot Springs, Wyoming 82190, USA
ilya_ktsn/Flickr
Located near Mammoth Hot Springs, Boiling River Trail is accessible year-round (when the weather permits). You can take your horses for a nice 1.3-mile ride before taking a dip in the river, just remember to bring plenty of warm clothes to wear when you leave the geothermal waters.

Editor’s note: this river was severely impacted by the historic flooding that occurred in June of 2022; therefore, access is closed for the foreseeable future.

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4. Great Northern Historical Trail, Flathead Valley
Great Northern Historical Trail, Kalispell, MT, USA
acewickwire/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Saddle up and ride 22 miles between the town of Somers and the mountain valley community of Kila. This trail follows part of the route of the old Great Northern Railway and offers stunning views of the Flathead Valley, several mountain ranges, and Glacier National Park.
5. Missouri Headwaters State Park, Three Forks
Missouri Headwaters State Park, 1585 Trident Rd, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
Tim Evanson/Flickr
The Headwaters Trail System is a paved network of trails, parts of which run along the former Milwaukee Railroad corridor through Three Forks from Missouri Headwaters State Park. The trails are horse-friendly, scenic, and easy to navigate.
6. The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg
The Ranch at Rock Creek, 79 Carriage House Ln, Philipsburg, MT 59858, USA
The Ranch at Rock Creek/Facebook
If you don't have your own horses and still want to ride, you can book a getaway at the Ranch at Rock Creek and borrow some of theirs. The ranch offers wide open skies, snow-capped mountains, and the perfect paths for a ride. You’ll quickly discover why horseback riding is one of the most magical things to do in Montana in winter.
7. Phipps Park, Billings
Phipps Park, 6790 Molt Rd, Billings, MT 59106, USA
KT McKenna / alltrails.com
The beautiful Phipps Park is located on the southwest side of Molt Road on the west end of Billings. The natural park area includes quite a few trails great for horseback riding that have views of the Yellowstone River and the city of Billings. Phipps Park Trail itself is only three miles long and mostly easy, except for a semi-steep incline near the beginning of the trail.

Do you know of any other spots in Montana for winter horseback riding? What are your favorite ways to spend (or survive!) winter in Montana? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

If you’re searching for more adventure, you’ll want to check out these 7 beautiful trails that are perfect for winter hiking in Montana.

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More to Explore

Winter In Montana

Jessica Moore | November 17, 2022

What are the best places to visit in Montana in the winter?

The best places to visit Montana in the winter are often scenic, lovely, snow-covered winter wonderlands of bliss. For starters, these 11 spots in Montana you must explore this winter include various recreational activities like skiing, sledding, ice skating, and exploring the most beautiful national park in the state. If you're visiting Montana closer to the holidays, here are seven awesome places to explore the beauty of winter. And here are seven winter trips in Montana you'll want to take before spring. If you're hoping for a more mild winter experience while appreciating this beautiful state, here are eight Montana towns known for their mild winters.

What are the best winter activities in Montana?

The best winter activities in Montana are endless and include events like the Montana Winter Fair in Lewistown, a local tradition that involves over 20 exciting events throughout town. If you'd prefer a bit of scenic solitude, there are seven natural wonders that are magical after it snows. The pristine beauty of the snow-covered mountainous landscape of any of these locations will take your breath away. You'll want to learn these 10 reasons Montana does winter better than any other state and discover some unique activities listed there. Lastly, did you know Montana has eight hot springs that are open all winter? Stave off the cold with a warm and rejuvenating soak in geothermal waters.

What is winter weather like in Montana?

Winter weather in Montana has a reputation for being harsh, cold, and very snowy. But truth be told, in between snow storms, skies are primarily blue and cloudless, and the roads are cleared of snow quickly (after all, they've got plenty of heavy machinery that's well-equipped for the job). Still, there have been some notable blizzards and snow storms worth mentioning, such as the blizzard of April 1969 where up to 32 inches of snow fell. Additionally, here is a list of the seven winter storms that go down in Montana history. So while Montana is a beautiful state in the winter, it's worth mentioning that you should always be prepared for rapid weather changes, have good snow tires on your car, and plenty of warm weather gear.

 

 

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