Embark on a Backcountry Horsepacking Adventure in Wyoming’s Wild Wilderness

Spend two weeks learning to travel with horses through Wyoming’s backcountry—four days at the NOLS Three Peaks Ranch, then 10 days riding 60-80 miles through the Red Desert. This high-altitude desert is beautiful, desolate, with the Wind River Mountains rising above—a rugged, glacier-carved range renowned for sheer granite walls.

You’ll start at the ranch learning the basics: grooming, saddling, and riding horses, plus packing panniers, cooking on camp stoves, and setting up camp. On day five, you’ll load up your gear and head into the backcountry with your group of 18- to 22-year-olds.

Photo credit: Matt Hage

Your days begin early with tending to the horses, breaking camp, and saddling up. You’ll ride 5 to 10 miles daily through varied terrain, then spend evenings unloading, unsaddling, and caring for your animals before setting up camp. You’ll learn to choose campsites with resources for both horses and humans.

Photo credit: Matt Hage

Horses are unpredictable—they can kick, bite, buck, or stumble on rocky ground. You’ll lift heavy loads, lead your horse through steep sections, and spend long days in the saddle that leave you surprisingly sore. Expect capricious weather, early mornings, and constant work managing both yourself and the horses.

Photo credit: Matt Hage

You’ll leave knowing how to travel on horseback in the mountains and with deep respect for what it takes to move through wilderness with animals.