Welcome to Heron Happy Trails

Heron Happy Trails provides horseback riding adventures on a local ranch through meadows, forests, creek crossings, and gentle mountain terrain. We use experienced trail horses able to accommodate all level of riders.

Book a Happy Hour Trail Ride or a Happy Horse For A Day which includes 2 Trail Rides, Lodging, 3 meals, 2 snacks, and a Cowboy campfire at night. Or anything in between, we can tailor the ride to your wishes!

Give us a call (406) 868-8243, and come explore the Heron Hills on horseback!

Our Happy Trail horses vary in size, temperament, and training. Your Trail Guide will pick out the horse best suited for you based on your weight and your riding ability. We want your ride to be safe, fun and addicting! We believe some of Montana’s most spectacular sights are best seen on horseback!

We are seeking to add a few more healthy geldings to our Happy Trail herd, who are experienced in trail riding. Our focus is on finding at least one larger and robust horse, preferably part draft, that can comfortably accommodate our heavier guests (weighing up to 250 lbs).

Why Reservations Are Required

Trail rides require a lot of preparation to ensure your horse is rested, fed, groomed, and saddled. That is why we require reservations for each trail ride. We want your mount looking and feeling his/her best. We also want to ensure your ride isn’t in unseasonably hot weather, during an anticipated thunderstorm, or during a high wind episode.

You will also need to sign a liability waver, which is standard in this recreational pursuit. Minors need to have a parental consent waiver signed before Happy Trails can allow them access to a Happy Trails horse.

How Horses Are Assigned to Riders

Your Trail Guide will assess your height/weight to determine which horse physically fits you best. The guide will also inquire about your previous riding experience so as to not place a first-timer on a horse used to more experienced riders. 

What Skill Is Needed?

Heron Happy Trails uses a round ring and a small step ladder to assist riders in mounting the horse. The Trail Guide will also show you how to “drive” the horse ensuring you understand how to stop, start, and turn the horse. Additionally, she will go over basic trail etiquette.

Once you’ve passed the round ring introduction/refresher course, you’re ready to begin/resume your lifetime of Happy Trails! Not all first timers, however, are trail ready with this brief introduction to horses. Some people require an additional lesson or two. If your Trail Guide feels you are not ready to leave the shelter of the round ring, she may ask you to return for a more in-depth lesson and bond with the horse until you KNOW for sure the two of you can master the trail ride together!

What is the Cost?

The Round Ring Introduction/Refresher Course and a trail ride of up to one hour is $50/person. To extend the trail ride for up to 2 hours is $100/person.

A more extensive lesson, in the round ring, with an experienced Trail Guide and a Happy Trails horse is $25/half-hour.

We gladly accept all major credit cards.

**Kindly note that a 6% fee will be applied when making payment with a credit card.

What Should Be Worn?

Happy Trails strongly encourages you to wear a helmet-motorcycle, football, even a bicycle helmet is helpful protection in the rare case you might need it. Wear loose-fitting pants, weather-appropriate shirt and jacket if needed. For footwear, cowboys wear cowboy boots because they are smooth on the bottom making it easy to move your feet in and out of the stirrups. NO SANDALS, FLIP-FLOPS, OR HIGH-HEELS. You may want to pre-apply sunscreen, bug spray or chap stick.

Are there any age limits?

We currently are not horse-equipped for children under the age of 10. There are no arbitrary upper age limits. Minors under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Trail Rides

A Ride With A View

There are 2 basic trail rides.

One is on flat ground through meadows, forests, around small ponds and shallow seasonal creek crossings.

The other ride goes up a gentle mountain trail to a spectacular view ov the valley below.

Wildlife on the Trail

The trail rides are through the grounds of a wildlife sanctuary shared with Amber Bear Inn. The sanctuary is hundreds of acres In size and encompasses meadows, a mountain, forested areas and several small ponds and marshes. It also has a year-round artesian spring. It is quite probable wildlife will be spotted while on the trail.

Meet Your Trail Guides

Marley Calliham & Connor Dahlin

Marley Calliham moved to Heron from Great Falls, Montana.  She’s been actively engaged with horses since she was 12 years old.  She’s owned, trained, ridden and been obsessed with horses for more than a decade.  Her decision to follow her dreams and start her own trail riding business worked out well for the customers of the Amber Bear Inn.  They love seeing the horses and riders as they dine at the Inn’s restaurant.

Connor Dahlin Connor is the trail sweep on most rides, following behind all the other horses to ensure no one gets lost.

Lodging

Should you wish to book lodging at the Amber Bear Inn to accompany your Happy Trail ride, your lodging will receive a one time 25% discount. Contact Amber Bear Inn to coordinate your lodging with your Happy Trail ride and receive the discount. Amberbearinn.com has pictures of all the available rooms.