Horseback Riding
Horseback riding within the wilderness area of Petrified National Forest is a popular activity.
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Horseback Riding Details
Horseback riding within the wilderness area of Petrified National Forest is a popular activity. The Painted Desert Wilderness access trail is two miles north of the Painted Desert Visitor Center near Kachina Point, on the northwest side of Painted Desert Inn. Visitors with horses can find trailer parking here, as well as loading and unloading room. Riders may want to lead their horses down the first 400 feet of trail, which features steep drop-offs and switchbacks on an unstable surface. Once in the Painted Desert, there's very little grade change. There are no maintained trails in the wilderness area, so in order to reduce impact on fragile microbiotic crusts, riders should travel in dry washes as much as possible. Watch for summer thunderstorms - monsoon rains can flood washes and make clay soils slick. Washes may also feature quicksand. There's no water in the wilderness area, so bring enough for both you and your horse.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Activities
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