The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn’t stop the spirit of adventure in Montana. Winter is magical and beautiful in the Treasure State, and one surprising activity that Montanans love is horseback riding. Simply put, winter horseback riding in Montana is an experience unlike anything else. While mild winter days bring plenty of opportunity to ride, not every trail in the state is equipped to handle both the snow and horses. But following is a list of seven places you can go horseback riding in Montana this winter for a beautiful adventure.

1. West Boulder Meadows, McLeod

This 8-mile trail is open all year (when you can brave the elements) and offers beautiful river views and terrain that's easy for horses to traverse. Another plus is that these breathtaking trails at West Boulder Meadows are well-marked and easy to find. You can enjoy a beautiful and gentle ride while enjoying the gorgeous scenery near the little town of McLeod.

2. Whitefish Trail, Whitefish Lake State Park

You'll find everything from dogs to bicyclists and horseback riders on this easy 18-mile trail located near Whitefish Lake. This is one of the easier trail rides in Montana, so horses shouldn’t have a tough time with it if they don’t mind the longer trail length relative to some other horseback riding trails.

3. Boiling River Trail, Gardiner

Located near Mammoth Hot Springs, Boiling River Trail is accessible year-round (when the weather permits). You can take your horses for a nice 1.3-mile ride before taking a dip in the river, just remember to bring plenty of warm clothes to wear when you leave the geothermal waters.

Editor’s note: this river was severely impacted by the historic flooding that occurred in June of 2022; therefore, access is closed for the foreseeable future.

4. Great Northern Historical Trail, Flathead Valley

Saddle up and ride 22 miles between the town of Somers and the mountain valley community of Kila. This trail follows part of the route of the old Great Northern Railway and offers stunning views of the Flathead Valley, several mountain ranges, and Glacier National Park.

5. Missouri Headwaters State Park, Three Forks

The Headwaters Trail System is a paved network of trails, parts of which run along the former Milwaukee Railroad corridor through Three Forks from Missouri Headwaters State Park. The trails are horse-friendly, scenic, and easy to navigate.

6. The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg

If you don't have your own horses and still want to ride, you can book a getaway at the Ranch at Rock Creek and borrow some of theirs. The ranch offers wide open skies, snow-capped mountains, and the perfect paths for a ride. You’ll quickly discover why horseback riding is one of the most magical things to do in Montana in winter.

7. Phipps Park, Billings

The beautiful Phipps Park is located on the southwest side of Molt Road on the west end of Billings. The natural park area includes quite a few trails great for horseback riding that have views of the Yellowstone River and the city of Billings. Phipps Park Trail itself is only three miles long and mostly easy, except for a semi-steep incline near the beginning of the trail.

Do you know of any other spots in Montana for winter horseback riding? What are your favorite ways to spend (or survive!) winter in Montana? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

If you're searching for more adventure, you'll want to check out these 7 beautiful trails that are perfect for winter hiking in Montana.