A boom in private horseback riders at Bryce Canyon has created problems on trails with concessionaire horseback groups/NPS

A surge of private horseback riders heading to Bryce Canyon National Park has led to problems on the park's trail system, prompting the park staff to reduce the number of available windows on the trails for private riders while the existing management plan for handling private and concession riders is reviewed.

Since 2015, when the park in southern Utah saw just 124 private riders in 33 groups explore Bryce Canyon's trails, there has been a 650 percent increase in private rides, to 814 riders in 199 groups last year. At the same time, overall park visitation rose 35 percent to a high of nearly 2.7 million visitors in 2018.

The decision to change the horseback regulations came to address conflicts between concessioner and private horse groups on steep, narrow trails. When private and concessioner groups meet on the trail, unfamiliar horses can behave unpredictably, creating interactions that are especially difficult for inexperienced concessioner riders to control safely, according to a park release. Riders may also be forced to turn around, often in areas where steep cliffs and sensitive resources give little room to do so.

By modifying the reservation system to provide dedicated times for each user group, the park intends to preserve access while mitigating risks. Ultimately, the park will utilize a public planning process to develop a long-term solution that best balances public enjoyment, access and safety.

The park’s highest priority is the health and safety of its visitors. Park managers are working collaboratively with Garfield County officials to address their concerns. As a result, the park is modifying the private rider schedule to better ensure separation of these user groups by time. To provide dedicated trail time to each user group, the park will suspend the three private ride time slots that previously overlapped with concessioner operating hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Six private ride reservations for up to 10 riders will still be available every half hour from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Recognizing that the increase in private horse use requires a review and revision of the park’s management plan, the park intends to initiate a public planning process. Broad scoping of issues, development of alternatives, and public involvement will allow the park to develop a plan that appropriately balances the needs and interests of all involved user groups along with public safety and resource preservation.

Experiencing trails below the rim of Bryce Canyon on horseback can be an unforgettable experience. Concessioners are private companies authorized under contract to offer visitor services like these and others not provided by the park. By welcoming the private sector as a partner in park operations, the National Park Service broadens the economic base of the region in general and in the communities surrounding the parks.  

For more information about horseback riding within the park, including how to book a ride, visit https://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/horse.htm