LOS CERRILLOS HORSE FIELD GUIDE
Ridge-Top Horizons: Horseback Over Cerrillos’ Turquoise Hills
A 1 hour 15 minute guided trail ride from Turquoise Hills Riding Company that climbs to a ridge with panoramic views of the Ortiz, Sangre de Cristo and Sandia ranges.
Ridge-Top Horizons: Horseback Over Cerrillos’ Turquoise Hills.
Wind through the Wild West village of Cerrillos aboard a gentle trail horse, passing historic mine workings and dry riverbeds as expert guides lead a gradual climb into exclusive hill-country. The outing’s reward is a hilltop panorama of three New Mexico mountain ranges—the Ortiz, Sangre de Cristo and the Sandias—accessible to beginners and first-time riders.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Ridge Over Three Mountain Ranges
The ride ascends to a ridge with spectacular 360-degree views that include the Ortiz, Sangre de Cristo and Sandia ranges; guides will pause at this overlook and can photograph riders atop their horses.
Wild West Flavor in Cerrillos
From the village setting used in Western films to displays of local minerals and a covered chuckwagon featured in Dances with Wolves, the property cultivates an authentic western atmosphere before you even mount up.
Gentle Mounts for Beginners and Families
The company uses gentle trail horses led by professional guides; rides are conducted at a walking pace and welcome beginners and first-timers, with faster paces (canter/trot) typically reserved for private rides with prior permission.
What the day feels like
What the Ride Feels Like
Expect a relaxed, continuous outing: arrive early to watch the horses being saddled, then cross a scenic dry riverbed, pass the entrance to Cerrillos State Park and follow a gradual ascent through shrubs and rocky outcroppings to a ridge. The return follows a different route so the landscape keeps changing during the roughly one-hour mounted portion.
THE 360 VIEWS
A Ridge Over Three Mountain Ranges
The ride ascends to a ridge with spectacular 360-degree views that include the Ortiz, Sangre de Cristo and Sandia ranges; guides will pause at this overlook and can photograph riders atop their horses.
THE AMBIANCE
Wild West Flavor in Cerrillos
From the village setting used in Western films to displays of local minerals and a covered chuckwagon featured in Dances with Wolves, the property cultivates an authentic western atmosphere before you even mount up.
THE HORSES & GUIDES
Gentle Mounts for Beginners and Families
The company uses gentle trail horses led by professional guides; rides are conducted at a walking pace and welcome beginners and first-timers, with faster paces (canter/trot) typically reserved for private rides with prior permission.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this ride suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time to check in at the tack house and watch horses being saddled; enjoy the shaded outdoor sitting area while you wait.
The property is off-grid and has two clean porta‑potties; on weekends the Cerrillos State Park Visitor Center offers indoor restrooms to the public.
Rides proceed at a walking pace on one-hour mounted loops; photographers are welcome and guides will pause for photos at the ridge.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the ride?
The experience is 1 hour and 15 minutes in total, with a one-hour mounted ride.
Where do I meet the group?
Meet at Turquoise Hills Riding Company; check-in is at the tack (saddle) house 30 minutes before your ride.
Are beginners welcome?
Yes—horses are gentle and the ride is conducted at a walking pace, making it suitable for beginners and first-time riders.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes. The operator enforces a maximum rider weight of 250 lbs.
Are there restrooms on site?
The property has two porta‑potties; on Saturdays and Sundays the Cerrillos State Park Visitor Center has indoor restrooms available to the public.
Can I canter or trot during the ride?
No — the advertised group ride is at a walking pace; riders who wish to canter or trot typically need to book a private ride and obtain guide permission before the ride starts.