The Most Iconic Nevada Trip You Should Take This Summer Isn’t in the car…it’s on This Lakeside Horse and Carriage Ride

When most people think of getting around Nevada, they think of road trips down the Great Basin Highway or the Cowboy Corridor. But there are many creative ways to explore the Silver State. For an exceptionally unique experience this summer, try a dreamy horse and carriage ride along the Lake Tahoe shoreline in Incline Village with Tahoe Sleigh & Carriage Rides.

It feels like something straight out of a vintage movie as you’re pulled in a horse-drawn carriage from the shores of Sand Harbor State Park. The views of the lake and the mountains in the background create a picture-perfect vantage point. It’s a leisurely ride and a one-of-a-kind way to explore the area. 

After a day of outdoor adventures on the mountain or on the lake, a carriage ride can be a great way to wind down after a day of play. Alternatively, it can be an excellent way to learn more about the region's history. Your driver, a Tahoe local, will point out geographic spots of interest, share details on special events and activities happening in the area, and give you insight into tidbits of Tahoe history. 

This outing is ideal for couples, families, or groups of friends seeking a unique way to explore the area. During the summer months, riders can enjoy a carriage ride in South Lake Tahoe on a tour around the sights near beautiful Sand Harbor. In the wintertime, wheels are swapped for runners. The horses are hitched up to a festive, old-fashioned sleigh. Dash through the snow like you’re in a Hallmark movie, and cozy up in a nostalgic way. 

This family-run business has been operating for over 50 years across multiple generations. The website provides insight into the horses they’re currently overseeing. It’s interesting to learn about the horses' ages, breeds, and even their names. 

There’s also a section on the website about animal welfare, including details on how the animals are specifically trained and well-equipped to handle carriage tours in the city. The carriages use single draft horses, and most of the horses live on the family’s ranch nearby and are well cared for. Their animal welfare program gave these horses a “second career” and is overseen by veterinarians in the City of South Lake Tahoe. 

Their average workday is six hours, and it is limited to eight hours, four days a week. These animals spend their evenings and days off on the Borges Family Ranch in Gardnerville, Nevada, just a short drive from the lake. 

I was told the exercise keeps them healthy and youthful. Our tour guide informed me that horses, like other animals, can recognize and respond to individual humans and even develop feelings like loyalty towards their drivers. Visitors can offer signs of affection to the animals, such as supervised pets and tasty, approved treats. 

This activity can be a fun winter excursion, but it is even more beautiful in the summertime when the alpine snow melts and turns Lake Tahoe into a beach city. Admire the wildflowers blooming through the grass and watch people paddle boarding, kayaking, and boating in the lake as you trot along the shoreline. The carriage ride can be an iconic alternative to exploring by car. 

Check out these additional outdoor adventures to encounter around Lake Tahoe, and be sure to put aside some extra time to learn about the area's nature. Incline Village can be the best place to set up as a home base to explore the area.