hondoo rivers and trails day tours

I've been on several of the 5 day horseback/camping trips and have enjoyed everyone of them. Pat and her crew make the job of combining guests, camping and horses look easy. At the start of the trip guests meet in Torrey to be chauffeured out to the trailhead. You may climb into the trucks as strangers but by the time you get to the trailhead you'll have gained several new riding companions. The horses are gentle and experienced trail horses, some of which Pat has raised herself from her own personal string of ranch horses. A novice rider would have no problem negotiating the trails as these horses know what their job is and they do it well. Each ride begins in the morning and ends mid afternoon. Lunches are packed in saddle bags for noon dining on the trail, most often at a scenic wide spot on the trail. Life in camp is relaxing as riders and crew get a chance to visit and recount the days adventures around the daily campfires. Camping is done with tents but they are tall enough to stand up in. Cooking is all done on camp stoves but the food is terrific and the dining room comes with a 360 degree view of the great outdoors that includes a roaring campfire. Pat offers riding trips to several different locations and national parks around the Torrey area starting in spring through fall. Each trip will provide the rider with grand vistas and exciting trails with varying terrain and foliage. On past trips Pat was able to guide us to hidden treasures such as wild horses, rock art and native dwellings. If you are looking for trail riding that's based away from civilization but with the comforts of a well run camp than Hondoo is worth the trip. I am a solo traveler but getting to Torrey Utah is easy and once you cross Pat's threshold you are no longer a stranger. You can wear cowboy boots and jeans or field boots and jodhpurs and headwear can be a cowboy hat or helmet. Pat and her crew are very accommodating and welcoming. They really enjoy and take pride in providing memorable rides.

A bit late with the review, but this trip was my absolute favorite way to experience the diverse landscape of Utah. The owner and guide, Pat, was extremely accommodating to our sense of adventure and exploring the desolate landscape. She was informative and gave us a real sense of history, and a better understanding of all that we were experiencing, from ancient petroglyphs to the modern day issues of cowboys, and everything in between!! The horses were extremely experienced dealing with the changing terrain and often unsteady footing. I felt 100% safe at all times, and absolutely fell in love with my horse, as each rider seemed to with the horse carefully chosen for their ability. The horses were healthy and happy making it for an enjoyable experience every day. I could go on about all the other amazing details but it looks as though the other reviewers have covered it. And honestly there were so many positives, it's impossible to list them all. As for the negatives, the only one would be that the 5 days go way too quickly, and the chilly nights where sometimes no amount of layers could provide enough warmth. But my blood quickly thickened by night 2 so it was all good. I can't recommend Pat and her amazing crew enough - by far the best way to see the untouched beauty of Utah.

There are many different ways to explore this beautiful world we live in - our favourite is on the back of a horse. We love to ride where ever we go, and have enjoyed every trip across the USA and Canada that we have made. That said, we feel we enjoyed this trip the most,. WHY? Hondoo is unique for a few reasons: VERY personalized - from the first time we emailed, Pat Kearney replied in a succinct and friendly manner. She helped us work out a date and a price. She answered my many questions. We knew exactly what the cost would be and what to bring for the trip. She has a wonderful sense of humour and truly wants her riders to enjoy a safe and memorable ride. Her wranglers and cook are special individuals who also add to the experience. We made friends with another couple from Europe who were on the ride. The horses are big, healthy, 'bomb proof" yet lively, gorgeous animals. The equipment is top quality. Pat works her buns off to make it the trip of a lifetime. I cannot say enough good about this experience. It is never boring, we 'whooped it up', we relaxed, we ate like kings. We are experienced riders with horses of our own, yet this was not a nose to tail boring ride. It was exciting! Check out the YouTUbe video "Hondoo Rivers and Trails May 2013" to see pics! We had a 5 day ride through the Coral Reef National Park. Want to go again!

My wife and I spent a day visiting Capitol Reef and on the spur of the moment decided that the next day we would try a half day vehicle tour. Fortunately for us, October is near the end of the season, so a guide was available. Brian picked us up the next morning at Broken Spur and we had a wonderful time with him as he informative, knowledgeable and extremely courteous. We learned a lot about the local geology and life in general in the area. He was able to point out a number of petroglyphs that were "hidden" in plain site. It was a pleasure to spend a half day with him.

If you have ever considered indulging your cowboy/cowgirl fantasy, then this is the way to do it! I just finished my 5 day trail ride with Hondoo, and was sorry to leave. Well Managed; Well Prepared: Pat at Hondoo manages the business in a organized and "can do" fashion. I completed a profile to help match me to my horse; and she sent me a very helpful packing list and FAQ sheet. Hondoo has well-trained horses and accommodates even novice riders (even city slickers such as myself). Hondoo takes care of its riders - safety is a foremost consideration, and your ride leaders will be quick to check your gear and give constructive advice; I found both very helpful (especially since my lessons were English and the ride was Western). Hondoo also cares for its horses very well; and you will also be expected to treat them with the respect and consideration they deserve. If you're a horse person you're already saying" "Of course!" and "Good!" Hondoo Goes The Extra Mile: In addition to being expert guides (with all the care and knowledge that entails), Pat and her team are friendly, considerate, helpful and fun to spend your vacation with, and they easily share their knowledge of local side-trips and information that will make your trip easy and memorable. You can't do better for practical advice from local experts.Excellent Variety of Services: Hondoo offers both inn-to-inn rides, and camping rides; I understand that they also offer photographic tours (by motor vehicle) and self-guided hikes, but did not go on those. The hikers I met when we were returning around the same time all seemed content with their hikes. Wonderful Vacation: I do know all the riders on my trail ride were very happy with their experiences with Hondoo. We each thought we had the best horse, which shows how well matched we were. The inn-to-inn riders were staying in local bed and breakfasts and were very happy with their accommodations. Meals were also at local establishments (except for amazing sandwiches/sack lunches on the trail) and again, everyone was happy with the menus and service (even those of us used to quite a variety of restaurants at home). For The City Slickers: Note that I took riding lessons (a) to make sure I could reasonably handle my horse, and (b) so I would not have sore legs at the end of the day. I recommend taking some riding lessons before going on a trail ride vacation, it is easier to look around/take photos if you're familiar with riding. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous and you will want to take photos! Also, you will be riding through a variety of terrains, from deserts to trees and scrub. DO bring gloves (as noted on the packing list) for pushing branches out of the way; DO bring bandanas, they come in handy for blocking dust, blocking sun and hiding your face during stage coach robberies (I may have imagined that last); and DON'T wear clothing that you will mourn if it is snagged by a branch. This Is The Way to Go!: Do you remember all those westerns you watched as a kid? That countryside is in Utah! Horseback is a marvelous way to see the seemingly endless beautiful landscapes of Utah. you get access to views that you would not otherwise see: beautiful cliffs and rock formations, deserts, aspen forests, mountains with beautiful reflective lakes, and ancient petroglyphs/pictographs left by the native populations of the region. I highly recommend Hondoo Rivers & Trails to help you access and appreciate all of this while living the cowboy/cowgirl fantasy.

My friend and I just completed the week long inn-to-inn ride from Torrey to Boulder. It surpassed my expectations. Each day (of 5) we rode in very different environments and it just never got boring. The canyon rides were glorious and colorful and full of little riding nuances that a mountain rider like me had never experienced. The higher desert and aspen rides were peaceful and beautiful with distant views of the desert and cooling breezes. We really got to see so many sides of this wonderful area. The guides are fun, funny and make the safety and the enjoyment of their guests top priority. The meals were fantastic and the lodging was also great. All in all an A+ for this outfitter.

Spent two wonderful days trail riding through Capital Reef and then near Torrey, Utah in a local canyon area. Pat was an excellent guide and can take you (or your group) to some amazing locations. Our entire day in Capital Reef was filled with beautiful scenery and exciting riding. The horses, planning and overall experience were extraordinary. How about six stars for Hondoo River Tours. My spouse and I enjoyed the experience tremendously. Pat was extremely accommodating of our requests and providing riding appropriate for our level of skill (my spouse has her own trail horse) and ages (over 55) . We both would go again (anytime) and also would consider Hondoo's longer trips too. This was our favorite part of our vacation. Email communication was helpful and concise, there are plenty of places to stay and eat in the area (around Torrey, Utah) provided you don't go too late in the year. Mid-October or earlier would be best. Hondoo's website was accurate and reflects what to expect on a ride.

In May of this year we took an extended motorhome trip throughout the US and Canada. While driving we happened upon a sign in Torrey, Utah that read “Jeep Tours”. Having never taken one before we decided to investigate. The young lady that greeted us was very helpful in explaining the tour options available. She even made reservations for us at a very nice local RV park. We decided to take the day long jeep tour the next day. Brian our guide met us the next morning and took us on one of the best tours we have ever taken. Brian was very knowledgeable and related a lot of the history of the area as well as explaining the geographical history. Brian even went above and beyond our expectations even being good enough to return back to our motorhome as we had left something in his Jeep when he dropped us off at the end of this long day. The scenery was truly breathtaking and beyond what we might have expected. It was a beautiful day and one that we will remember for a long time.

We went for about 4 hours of trail riding through a canyon and saw petroglyphs and gorgeous scenery.The wranglers were helpful and the horses usually behaved. I am convinced that horses know when they have a tenderfoot and try to get rid of him by the going too near a tree.My wife had Oatie, who was definitely feeling his oats, and kept wanting to trot and even jump. My horse, Oscar. kept falling asleep every time we stopped.Horses have their own personalities and that is part of the fun.

Brian was an excellent tour guide. Learned a lot about the history and geology. Fun time! Seats were much more comfortable then I thought they would be.

You can put your trust and confidence in Pat Kearney and her team regardless of your riding experience. They keep the group size small so that the participants benefit from the personalized attention. Our riding and camping trip through Capital Reef was totally exhilarating and the scenery breathtaking. You can make as much of it as you wish, with no pressure to ride every day. Whether it's a relaxing day exploring around the base camp or the daily group rides (going in a different direction every day so it's NEVER BORING!) At the end of each ride, they encourage those who want to interact with brushing and leading their horses down to the creek for water, to do so. We were lucky enough to participate in a mini cattle drive during our trip...helping direct a herd through part of the canyon so that we could continue on our way. It was great! The quality of the food was a real treat...no beanie weenies, rather steak, seafood, pasta and plenty of everything. Evenings are spent under the stars sitting around the fire, with a glass of wine enjoying the group company. Some read poetry or sang or just exchanged travel stories. I can't emphasze strongly enough how well organized these tours are. They put safety first and do a terrific job at matching riders and horses. Our personal takeaway from this experience beyond the beautiful scenery and discoveries along the way, was a real sense of accomplishment...getting to know our horses and navigating the canyon under Pat and her wranglers watchful eye. Pat: We still have our bandanas!

Pat is an excellent guide! Very knowledgable of Torry, and surounding area. We had prearranged an age appropriate day hike before arriving in the area. Beautiful part of the country, canyon views, Capital Reef sights, pictographs, and mountain views where enjoyed by everyone! Don't forget your camera, wear appropriate hiking gear for this area as we did a little rock climbing, stream crossing and found plenty of sun! Thanks Pat for such a wonderful day! Scout

Pat and her wranglers are well versed in the care of the group and their horses. We enjoyed some of the best views you wouldn’t see unless you were on horse back. The camp we stayed at was next to a running creek which is a great place to just relax. The trails are some of the best we have been on. You get to see Indian pictographs symbols and long forgotten places that were visited by only frontier folks. The rides offered are the type of adventure you and the whole family could ever hope for. Hondoo River and Trails has horse rides that should be called the 5th wonder of the world by horse back. Great food, Great camp, trained horses, Great service. Bring a coat ,rain gear , snack`s , water canteen. prepare for 6 hours of riding.