The Best Horseback Riding Experience of Greater Phoenix

This by far is well worth the money! Our guide Sylvia was amazing. She helped make the experience even better since she was so personable and knowledgeable. The view is beautiful and the horses are well mannered but have their own unique personalities. We chose the Margarita Sunset ride and i can’t think of anything to have made this experience any better! What more could you ask for, beautiful scenery, horses, friendly people and great conversations! Will def recommend this for anyone in the Phoenix area. Ask for Sylvia as your guide, she won’t disappoint!

Koli and the team truly exceeded my expectations for a guided horseback ride. We opted for a private ride as I was concerned about being in a group with inexperienced riders and how that would affect our afternoon. It was definitely worth it and I would 100% recommend to other experienced riders out there.
Our guide, the views and our horses were equally amazing. Being able to spread out and not be nose to tail (like some other places) was one of my favorite parts about Koli and I will absolutely be back to ride again the next time I am in the area...hopefully next year 🙂
Much appreciated from this horse lover in NC!!

The four of us have ridden at Koli Equestrian Center at least four times now with a positive experience each time. Our favorite part is the ability to actually ride and control the horses without having to follow along single file behind a guide. The horses are great and the guides are fun and pleasant to be around.

There were 6 of us ranging in age from pre-schooler to "seniors" and we had the 60 minute "hayride". We all had a great time and recommend this informative and fun activity.
Robert (guide) and Chuck (driver) were a great pair. Robert had facts and fun stories that we all enjoyed and Chuck added to the conversation.

We're from Louisiana and everyone here was very sweet and welcoming. Our wrangler that led us around for the ride helped us to feel safe while also letting us take the reigns. Overall 10/10 experience! I would highly recommend going in the winter because the weather was perfect.

The guide was fantastic and the horse was way beyond my expectation. It is obvious that everyone there loves their job and the horses. I booked a private ride and my guide Cameron was fun and informative. His stories combined the history of the area, his knowledge of horses (which was extensive), and some funny personal stories. The ride was beautiful, entertaining, and fun. My horse was perfect. I would highly recommend this experience.

The entire process, from booking it to climbing off the horse, was all done with safety first, followed by the friendly & professional wranglers who assisted with it all. Robert was our guide and made our ride in the desert personable and interesting. He's very knowledgeable about the Reservation itself and the wildlife on it. We didn't see any wild horses, but the coyote nearby was eventful. Trickiest part for newbies, once on the horse, is crossing the creek twice. The horses can handle it fine, so just grab that saddle horn and hang on....and don't let the horses feet get wet! 😅

(WOMEN: No cross-body purses of any size are allowed. I was scared to put my phone in my back pocket in case it wiggled out and fell in the desert; so I stuck it in my bra.)

Wranglers will assist you up, off the ground and onto the horse. They'll adjust your stirrups. Upon return, they'll assist you down, off the horse. That, in itself, was most helpful to me, as I'm a 63 year old woman who isn't athletic or in shape.

Relax! You got this! 🐴

The sunrise ride was everything you want it to be - beautiful, saw local wildlife and the tour guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. We even saw wild horses:)

Even if you've never rode a horse before, they are very good about getting you out there.

Go try it!

Much gratitude to Bloss and the amazing Team at Koli for a truly memorable riding experience. He made it easy, fun, safe and just a great time all around. Seeing the wild horses was a treat and both Rick and Morty did a tremendous job in carrying us through the desert. An unforgettable experience and would do it again, in a heartbeat!

A friend and I signed up for their Horsemanship 101 and had a great time! We both had little experience but Blass, our guide, was very patient and knowledgeable explaining everything to us and showing us how to ride. We got to go out on the trail for about an hour and it was really fun!

Lot of flat land, some spring grass fields, a few steps across a small stream. PERFECT intro to horseback riding 🙂

We plan on going back soon! If you're looking for any kind of horseback riding, this is a great place to go.

Awesome experience with our horseback ride at Koli! Our guide, Bloss, was fun, knowledgeable and always aware of his riders safety. Our group of six ranged in age from 11 to 76 and they expertly matched the appropriate horse to rider. We will be back!

We were in town for a wedding and thought it would be fun to find somewhere to ride a horse. We had a great time at KOLI. They picked us up from the hotel and it was a quick drive to the ranch. I got on a horse, as did our 8 and 7 year olds who have never ridden a horse. The horses were very tame and gentle, and responsive.

Ben, our guide, was wonderful, sharing history of the land and the area. He also debated with our 8 year old the finer points of which version of Spirit was better -- the movie or Netflix series. And they arranged for another wrangler to bring a horse over for our 4 year old to see up close and pet while she waited with Mom for us to finish the ride.

Thanks to all for a wonderful experience.

Robert is the owner’s son and was our Wrangler on my hour and a half ride. He was super outgoing, friendly and very personable. What a breath of fresh air compared to most wranglers I’ve dealt with. The ranch is beautiful with a big office, great outdoor area, large corrals and super nice restrooms. Horses are in great shape and tack is in good condition. Love that we could ride side by side not nose to tail as much easier to communicate with each other. The rides are priced fairly and they have a wonderful kids program on intro to horses. The only drawback is the land we rode through wasn’t so great.

Our family (2 adults and 3 kids) absolutely loved the experience. The wranglers (Sydney and crew) were excellent with all ages, provided history of the reservation, answered questions about the horses, and kept us entertained. The beautiful dessert landscape added to the ride. We even scared up a jackrabbit and coyote!

Jan 3, 2022 - We had a great experience with our guide Blass! Our horses (Dale & Clyde) were calm and easy to communicate with for the entire journey. Blass kept us entertained with stories of growing up a few miles from the equestrian center, farming the Southern AZ desert, and training the horses. We loved that we had some freedom of movement on this ride and weren't forced to stay in line! We saw wild horses in the distance, coyotes, hawks, and other small game and birds during our outing. We highly recommend KOLI Equestrian Center and will be returning soon!

Robert was AMAZING!! I booked a private ride for my 6 year old autistic non verbal son and 10 year old daughter. He was so observant, patient, respectful and so kind. This ride was so much fun for my kids and now they want to go all the time. They also got to see quails and rabbits on the trail and Robert made sure to educate as well as listen and have fun and talk. Everyone at Koli was so nice and the horses are healthy, beautiful and loved. Robert is such an asset to Koli Equestrian and have made us customers for life. Thank you ❤️🙌🏼🐴

This was a short drive from where we were staying in Tempe, but very quickly we felt that we were in the desert. Everything went smoothly, from the booking to the orientation to the ride itself. You may want to bring a hat and sunglasses as there is a decent amount of dust kicked up by the horses as you ride. I would recommend coming here for a one to two hour ride if you're staying in the Phoenix area for a few days.

Such a great experience, even for an experienced rider! Other center’s I have gone to in the past have either given me horse that needed to worked or treated my like a novice - which wasn’t enjoyable.

Koli Equestrian Center is perfect for all levels. The guides our wonderful, and full of great conversation. I truly felt like I had been on the ranch hundreds of times before - that’s how comfortable they make you feel.

The pricing is spot on, and you won’t find anything cheaper (and if you do - prepare for a less quality ride)!

As an Scottsdale resident, I will go back to Koli Equestrian Center every time I have the “itch.”

I’m a single mum with teen boys and this was the perfect activity for us - we chose the early morning ride to avoid the heat and it was just beautiful. Our horses were gentle (both my kids have never ridden before), the trek was an hour long and our guide Dion (please forgive me if I’ve spelt his name wrong) was fantastic. He was so interesting and generously shared his knowledge of the local tribe communities, the trading history of the area and a ton of information about the horses themselves and the local wildlife. We absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for such a memorable experience.

My husband and I booked an early morning group ride and it turns out the two of us were the only ones in the group. We spent an immensely relaxing hour riding through the desert with Ben, talking about the landscape, the Pima (we even spotted a grinding stone Ben said was much like the one his grandmother used), and just life in general. We’ll definitely be back for the longer ride to see the wild herd next time we visit Phoenix! Thank you Ben!

My adult daughter, an experienced equestrian, and I, an intermediate beginner, booked an early morning ride with Ben. I was on Rosie, and she was on Charm. What a completely delightful experience! We rode through the beautiful desert and found a herd of wild horses (with a sweet newborn foal)! We forded a small creek, which was fun, and saw some other wildlife. Throughout the ride, Ben was conversational, fun, and knowledgeable about the area history. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

My family of 5 took a mid-day 90 minute tour and really enjoyed it. The facility was extraordinarily clean and the horses were all well groomed and mannered. The kids had never ridden horses before so this was perfect. The tour was an open loop on reservation land which allowed for some freedom (vs tail to tail) and the ride was stress-free. If you’re looking for a nice relaxing horseback experience, this is it! Our wrangler, Robert, talked to us about the land and history of the Native American tribes on the reservation which was quite nice. All in all we enjoyed it!

Robert was easy to talk to, friendly, and a great wrangler! Sweet Charm lived up to her name, and Robert did a great job stepping in when she started getting flirty with the wild horses. 🙂 I felt totally safe in his hands and loved hanging out with the wild herd!!! Their horses (wild and riding string alike) are in great shape and are all very obviously well loved and cared for. Thanks again, Robert!! Looking forward to my next visit!

Our 10 and 13 year old boys loved this experience. We saw some wildlife and enjoyed the history of the reservation and the horses shared by our guide. The horses were well trained but still had their own personalities that led to some laughs along the way. A late morning 90 minute trip was perfect before it got too hot.

7am class had a good chunk of people, 10am kids was packed when we came back but the 8am was perfect! Great temp and sun level. Just my two friends and I and our AWESOME guide Marcus!! He even told us the scoop on his heritage and the land. I had Clyde, the big beautiful boi.. he certainly has a sassy personality. Can get a little dusty but made for some cool photos.

Also loved knowing this was family owned❣️

Robert was an amazing guide. We had 4 adults and an 11 year old on the ride and he engaged all of us. Some of the riders were first time riders and he help them feel comfortable with their horses. He was also able to answer all of our questions about horses and horseback riding. I recommend scheduling a ride at KOLI and with Robert!

My daughter has been a kids club member for 2 years and loves every minute of it. The wranglers are awesome and excellent with kids. I highly recommend this program for any kids who enjoys being around horses and wants to learn new things.

I took my parents during their visit to Phoenix for the first time and we all absolutely loved it. It was mine and my mother's first time horseback riding and the guide was very considerate of that and gave us clear instructions as to what to do. He was also very personable, funny, and overall made the entire ride incredibly pleasant. Will definitely be going back! Oh and did I mention margaritas afterwards?!! =)

One hundred percent one of the most fun things I've done in Phoenix. We did the early morning trail ride at sunrise, started at about 6:30am. Kameron was our guide, and he was awesome! So much information about the ranch, the reservation and the history of the land, and some hilarious jokes too. Definitely ask for him if you're planning on doing a trail ride.

The horses were great as well. Apparently there are about 60-70 on the ranch. They gave us a quick tour after, and we met a few of the biggest horses I've ever seen.

Everyone was so friendly, accommodating, and awesome to be around. Truly a great experience, I'll definitely be going back, would strongly recommend!

Sylvia was our guide and she was AMAZING!!! She was so personable, so kind and full of so much knowledge! This was by far the best trail ride we’ve been on with the best horses. This is a wonderful equestrian center. Thank you Sylvia.

This was our 3rd time riding at Koli and once again it was outstanding! The horses are calm, well fed and taken care of which makes them easy to ride. Even a beginner would feel safe.

I highly recommend the 90 minute ride for the opportunity to ride out farther to see the wild horses.

They are taking small groups for safety while still maintaining their very reasonable pricing.

My favorite part is you ride as a group and are not forced to stay in a line. This is exponentially more enjoyable to ride together.

If you want to horseback ride in the Phoenix area, this is the place to go! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I came to the Koli Equestrian center for the last adventure of my bachelorette party weekend. Chuck was a GREAT guide! Not only were the views fantastic, but his witty personality and hilarious stories kept us laughing throughout the ride. The sunset margarita ride had us on horseback for a good hour through the desert and we finished up with chips and salsa and margaritas which were very good. We sat outside and enjoyed the cooler temperatures as the sun and finished setting behind the mountains. The price is right and I would definitely go back again! Definitely wear jeans!

Took my 8 year old riding for the first time for her birthday. She absolutely loved it! She still talks nonstop about Alice (her horse she rode) and how sweet she was. We are definitely planning on going again.

Booking and filing the release forms online was easy. Our guide Ben had a great sense of humor, attended to our needs, and was very informative on every aspect of the experience.
i highly recommend utilizing Koli to anybody interested in riding around the Chandler area

I came here for my 21st birthday with two friends. We had the most amazing time, lead by a kind instructor who took us through a gorgeous path highlighting the beauty of the desert. The Koli Center takes care to treat their horses well and us riders with the utmost safety. Although none of us had much riding experience, we were taken through safety, how to ride, and the instructor checked in often to ensure our safety and good experience. We will definitely coming back!

We had a family ranging from 70-12 years old and everyone enjoyed the activity. Getting out and enjoying beautiful nature, a leisurely walk with our guide who was so knowledgeable about the area and wildlife in general. We were able to social distance and have a good time together. It was a great experience.

This was an excellent experience! Chuck was very personable and easy going! He satisfied all the needs of my family. He did cool tricks with his horse for my 20 year old so she could post it on her social media, he educated my children and I on the history of our native ancestors who lived on these very lands before us, he was very attentive to my 6 year old who was a first time rider, and he was funny!. The horses were amazing and catering as well. I can't wait to visit again!

It was a beautiful sunny AZ sunrise, the horses were well trained, the booking process was smooth, and the guide was nice and knowledgeable! I'd recommend doing this experience through KOLI, but I was a little bummed about the route which was basically a walk through their property and that of their neighbors. I would have enjoyed it much more if we met them near a trailhead and did 1 hour on something more scenic. With that said, I recognize that this is designed for beginners like myself who probably aren't ready for more technical riding required on rides like that. So go in to it expecting a lovely morning with some beautiful animals, but don't expect much in terms of the scenery. I am interested in doing a longer trail ride at their location near Mormon Lake, so I will likely be giving it another chance as the overall service was good!

Beautiful Sonoran Desert Escape against South Mountain. Thank You for the beautiful experience on fabulous horses seeing the wild horses on the range tucked away like a hidden gem. Serene comfortable and relaxing ride. Thank You Chuck for easy reservations online and Gabby for leading us and taking our photos afterwards. It was a special Earth Day and birthday celebration for us on great horses River and Big Mama in lovely terrain. Will be back!

I'm an experienced rider and have been on several trail rides in Arizona. This was one of the best experiences I've had. Chuck was knowledgeable and interesting but the wild horse experience was something I'll never forget! We were so close and had front row seats to the herd running right up to us and the lead stallion chasing away a young upstart. It was hard to believe it was happening right in front of me. I will definitely want to come back for another ride next year!

I didn't realize when I booked this for my daughter's 18th birthday that it was on a reservation and that the horses we'd hoped to see (and did see from a far distance) weren't from the Salt River or Tonto national park area, but...we had a great time and our guide was very friendly and informative. We learned a lot and had a great time, and we did see wild horses;)

This experience was the best from booking with the manager to the actual horseback riding. I haven't been on a horse in decades! It was like riding a horse! LOL Anyways, our wrangler Carmen was great. He was funny, personable and knowledgeable about the local tribe, & reservation, horses and anything else we asked! We spent a few minutes taking pictures of the wild horses ( 30 of them!) and even saw a newborn foal. Our time together on the land and near the wild horses was respectful, spiritual and such a beautiful experience. Can't wait to go back to Koli! We followed up with a trip to Aji Spa. Beautiful day with my Daughter.

Ben took my friend and I on a relaxing, peaceful ride in the desert in perfect weather. We saw cactus, a jackalope (ok, it was really a jack rabbit) and no snakes (good!). The horses were great, moved easily and we rode as a group rather than nose to tail, always nicer. 🙂 Thanks for welcoming us and letting us have a lovely morning ride on your beautiful land.

My wife went on an early solo ride for an hour. She’s an experienced rider and told the man on the phone she wanted to do more than just slow ride. That never got passed on to the guide. The guide was great! Very knowledgeable and talkative. Pretty good horse and well cared for. She saw a herd of wild horses!!! All in all a very nice ride.

We came out to Phoenix for the Phoenix Open and decided to take in the scenery on horseback and found this place for a Sunset Margarita ride. It was very enjoyable and Roger and Robert were excellent tour guides. They both kept us entertained with stories about the land, the horses and the people who lived there. They let us ride side by side instead of head to butt which made it very nice to be able to talk to the others in our party. We weren't lucky enough to see any wild horses but they said they are out there sometimes. We all had a great time!!

Staff easily accommodated my last-minute walk-in. I went with a small group and our guides were funny, knowledgeable, and great about instilling confidence in beginners. I truly enjoyed learning about the area from someone who has grown up on the land. The scenery is so unique; we saw a lot of wildlife and there were many opportunities for photos!
This ride was definitely a highlight of my trip to Arizona!