AUSTIN HORSE FIELD GUIDE
Canters Along the Cliffs: Pace Bend Trail Ride on Lake Travis
Guided rides from Maverick Horseback Riding traverse Pace Bend Park’s limestone cliffs and more than nine miles of Lake Travis shoreline; this guide lays out what to expect, fees, and group limits.
Canters Along the Cliffs: Pace Bend Trail Ride on Lake Travis.
Just northwest of Austin, Pace Bend Park unfolds across 1,400 acres of Hill Country where over nine miles of Lake Travis shoreline meet high limestone cliffs. Trails thread through an interior managed as a wildlife preserve—home to whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, ringtail cat and dozens of bird species—and provide shoreline and beach sections for guided rides with Maverick Horseback Riding. Riders can walk, trot, canter and even swim with the horses, with especially memorable views at sunset.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Limestone Cliffs & Shoreline Vistas
Pace Bend’s high limestone cliffs and more than nine miles of Lake Travis shoreline create sweeping vistas—the park’s shoreline and beach sections are a defining feature of the ride and particularly striking at sunset.
A 1,400‑Acre Wildlife Preserve
The park interior is managed as a wildlife preserve and supports a diversity of animals; riders commonly experience habitat used by whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, ringtail cat and dozens of bird species as they move off the shoreline and onto interior trails.
Varied Paces and Water Access
Guided trail rides include a mix of walk, trot and canter along beach and shoreline sections, and the trip can include swimming with the horses—offering varied riding experiences in one outing.
What the day feels like
What the Ride Feels Like
The ride threads shoreline, beach and interior preserve trails, shifting between easy walking sections and faster trots or canters where the terrain and herd allow. Along the way the limestone cliffs open to long views over Lake Travis while the preserve draws quiet wildlife sightings; many riders gauge the trip by the glow of sunset over the water or by the thrill of letting a horse cool off in the shallows.
THE LANDSCAPE
Limestone Cliffs & Shoreline Vistas
Pace Bend’s high limestone cliffs and more than nine miles of Lake Travis shoreline create sweeping vistas—the park’s shoreline and beach sections are a defining feature of the ride and particularly striking at sunset.
THE WILDLIFE
A 1,400‑Acre Wildlife Preserve
The park interior is managed as a wildlife preserve and supports a diversity of animals; riders commonly experience habitat used by whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, ringtail cat and dozens of bird species as they move off the shoreline and onto interior trails.
THE RIDE
Varied Paces and Water Access
Guided trail rides include a mix of walk, trot and canter along beach and shoreline sections, and the trip can include swimming with the horses—offering varied riding experiences in one outing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this ride suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Rides start at $125 per person; there is also a $5 entrance fee to Pace Bend Park.
Meet at Pace Bend Park (2805 Pace Bend Road North) in Spicewood, TX for departure with Maverick Horseback Riding.
Bookings are limited—max 4 people per outing—so reserve early if you’re planning to ride together.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How much does the Pace Bend Trail Ride cost?
The ride is priced at $125 per person and up.
Is there a park entrance fee?
Yes; there is a $5 entrance fee into Pace Bend Park.
Where do we meet for the ride?
Meet at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood, Texas; the park address is 2805 Pace Bend Road North.
How many people are allowed per booking?
Bookings are limited to a maximum of 4 people.
Can the horses go into the water?
Yes; rides include shoreline and beach sections and can include swimming with the horses.
Who operates the Pace Bend Trail Ride?
The rides are operated by Maverick Horseback Riding.