"BONNIE SPRINGS RANCH" riding the desert bloom

Our first ride out of "Bonnie Springs Ranch". We rode up to the stables from the arena area and headed out the back towards to Canyon walls. It was amazing to see how many desert flowers were starting to bloom out there. 

There is a sand road from the area to the stables and ghost-town. 

The hotel is like an old ghost town and over looks the red canyon and stables. 

For the most part the footing is nice and sandy 

Flowers blooming everywhere

Riding up to the red canyons 

Look at this cactus 

Looking back at Bonnie Springs Ranch 

Another Cactus blooming

Can you see Ron way up there on the hill?

More wild burro's 

Looking up the "Red Canyon"

More blooms

Back at the stables 

Visit our facebook page Camping with horses  and our web site to find places to overnight, and camp with your horses

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BONNIE SPRINGS RANCH - "Just outside of Las Vegas Nevada"

After we left Bryce Canyon we headed South again toward Nevada. Heard of a great little ghost town just 15 to 20 minutes outside of Vegas in Blue Diamond area called "Bonnie Springs Ranch".  There is 150 acres that has been owned by the same family since 1952. Bonnie herself ran the ranch up until just a few years ago. Now it is run by her son and daughter. Bonnie is still living on the ranch and is 91 years old. 

You can do full board up in the stables or you can do your own feeding for $10 a night per horse at their arena there are large corrals down there. $15 night for dry camping. There are endless trails out towards the Red Rock Canyon areas. You can also ride to the little mining town of "Blue Diamond".

Bonnie Springs is easy to find. 

 Directions from Vegas- Head south on Hwy 15 take exit 33 on Blue Diamond road go about ten miles. You will see signs for "Red Rock Canyon". Turn right on Hwy 159 this road is also called Blue Diamond.  Bonnie Springs is about 5 miles down the road and you will not miss there entrance and sign. Just watch for wild burro's they are everywhere. 

You will see many wild burros in the area 

As we drove down the long driveway or road to Bonnie Springs we saw 5 burro's 

This is right in the parking lot where we were parked

The wild burros came pretty close to us

There is a ghost town with a Zoo and a train. They also have a hotel and trail rides into the desert. 

Here is the entrance to the town and Zoo. There is a small fee to enter. 

At the Zoo there are 2 Canadian Lynx's. Bonnie herself hand raise this big boy.  

Ron got mobbed by deers, goats, and other critters at the feeding station. 

Behind the restaurant by the stables it is like a bird sanctuary there are hundreds of birds of all shapes and sizes. 

The main street of the ghost town 

They are daily gun fights and hangings in town to entertain you. 

The town is called "Old Nevada" 

Our campsite down by the rodeo arena. We are getting ready to ride.

Visit our facebook page Camping with horses  and our web site to find places to overnight, and camp with your horses

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THE BEST FOR LAST - BRYCE CANYON UTAH

"Bucket list ride".

We saved the best ride for last. After riding Butch Cassidy in Red Canyon then Thunder Mountain on the other side of Red Canyon and then we rode the down the middle of the Red Canyon on the Losee Canyon Trail we were ready to head up and arrange a ride through Bryce Canyon. The trail is in the park of Bryce Canyon and you have to co-ordinate with the Canyon Trail Ride wranglers to book your time so you don't interfere with the guided rides. When you enter the park you "MUST HAVE A CURRENT COGGINS" A park ranger will met you at he first parking lot on the left and inspect you horses. You have some forms to fill out and then you can either call or go to lodge to book your time with the Canyon Trail Ride wranglers. 

We headed up Hwy 12 towards Hwy 63 into Bryce Canyon City along the highway you go through 2 tunnels 

You have to co-ordinate with the Canyon Trail Ride wranglers.

The ride was just heading out. We had to laugh don't let the size fool you this mule was tough as nails.

We were able to book a time of 12 noon so we headed to the parking lot on the other side of 63 to park our rig. There was a family of deer right there when we go out.  

There is a good trail back towards the lodge 

One the way you go by a Prairie Dog habitat

One of the first lodges you go by

As soon as the wranglers give you the go a head you head down the trail only a short distance to come to this unbelievable view

You will head down a few switch backs to the bottom of the Canyon 

The views are "out of this world". 

Every corner you go around it is another breathtaking view.

We joined up with the Garden Trail for hikers 

Everyone stopped and asked if they could take our pictures so I took pictures too LOL 

Looking back on Garden trail

Heading to the Peek-A-Boo trail 

Again there is a lot of switch backs

When you think it could not get any better,  the views do get better!!

A view looking back 

One word "Breathtaking"

One of the main reason's it is called Peek-A-Boo is some of the arches you go through.

Does the view from the back of you horse ever get any better then this??

The trails are steep but not too narrow so they are good to travel. I am afraid of heights but was fine on these trails

This was a really cool trail it was steep small switchbacks to the top then another tunnel

Almost to the top 

Then through the tunnel 

OMG another fabulous view

You ride side by side the huge hoodoo's 

There are lots of hikers so just keep on your toes coming around corners

You want me to fit through there?? 

This was a little bit nerve raking as the small canyon was a down hill trail and when you are going through you can not see the trail turn so you feel like you are going to drop off LOL 

Once through the tunnel you have some more switchbacks 

More incredible views 

The horse trail is the green dotted one then the green and blue is the Peek-A-Boo

The 2pm to 4pm trail ride was just ahead of us heading back to the lodge. What a fabulous ride.

Here is a link to places in the area that may have stalls or corrals to overnight your horses "Click Here"

Another Bucket list ride. 

Visit our facebook page Camping with horses  and our web site to find places to overnight, and camp with your horses

http://www.campingandhorses.com