Smoke Tree Stables

Well, my boyfriend and I hit the jackpot.
We went on a Tuesday morning @ 9am for the 2 hour trail ride & no one else showed up.
We got our very own personal tour!
First off, the two hour ride through the desert is hands down one of the most unique experiences you can ask for. Debbie was our guide & she was great. Her and I spoke most of the ride so on top of great views I got a little bit of insight on Joshua Tree, Palm Springs & Frank Sinatra.
Our horses were full of personality & we loved every second!
We will be back again in winter/​spring =)

This was our first time riding a horse, so my wife and I did the one-​hour ride. My wife was very nervous at first, but did very well, thanks to Blue’s guidance and patience. Everyone at the stables was very nice. We will definitely come back to do the two-​hour ride when our daughter comes to visit us.

Thanks for the ride through the desert this was the first time in many years and our guide Josh was fantastic. Thanks again.

This is far and away the best horseback riding experience I’ve ever had. The setting was amazing, the horses were chill and our guide (Blue) was friendly.
Don’t go for the 1-​hour ride. That option just takes you around the immediate area of the stable, which is mostly residential or scrubby arid open space. Seemed pretty boring.
Instead opt for the 2-​hour ride. They put the horses in a trailer and bring you a few minutes away to Indian Canyons. You begin the trip in Murray Canyon and loop to the top of a super high mountain top, then go back down through Andreas Canyon. The trails and the scenery were spectacular. The views, the wildlife, the terrain, everything was incredible. We even saw some roadrunners and chuckwalla up close.
Can’t say enough about how great the 2-​hour ride at Smoke Tree Stables is!!!

The best experience I ever had! Never rode on a horse ever in my life so I was really really really terrified! We did the 2 hours trail and before I got on the horse I almost backed out and didn’t want to do it anymore! However, I would’ve regret it! The scenery was so peaceful and so serene. My horse name was jack! He was such a good horse and the instructor was so patient and nice! We love her! She gave good instructors for us beginners! Omg what an experience! We will definitely come back! It’s definitely a gem in the desert. I felt so relax! You can hear the waterfalls and see the stream. The horses took us on top of the mountain and down. Definitely a gem in the desert!

Had such a great time here! Went with my mom and sister who had never been on a horse in their lives, everyone there was super friendly and professional, the horses are wonderful and well trained so we all had an amazing time! Location is easy to find, parking is easy, and what’s super convenient is that they don’t require a reservation (trail rides leave hourly) which is great when you’re like me and you can’t commit to reserved activities because you don’t know if you’ll have time on your trip, don’t know if you’ll be able to talk scaredy cat friends/​family into going, if you’ll be able to find a babysitter, if the weather will comply, etc. Def recommend!

We had the pleasure of riding with Alex and the crew from Smoke Tree Stables.. Being an avid horse rider, who hasn’t been in the saddle for a long time, they made me feel comfortable safe and we had a great time! The horses were well fed, maintained and had very stable temperaments. We felt like we were on a family owned ranch and we were part of the family. The owner is the sweetest gal in the world and has some very cool K-9’s incase you are visiting and miss yours. I’d highly recommend Smoke Tree stables and we will be back again to ride some more.

If you are in the Palm Springs area and into horses this is a must! My husband and I opted for the longer hour+ ride through Indian canyon during our New Years trip. The views were spectacular and the guides where knowledgeable, caring and genuine. You don’t have to worry about your level of riding expertise as its a walking only ride. It was my husband second time in a horse while I used to show. They had plenty of horse to accommodate your riding level. Most importantly it was evident that they take great care of their horses and staff. We will definitely be back next time we’re down south.

First time here and my cousins first time on a horse. Debbie was absolutely amazing and had so much patience with walking us through the entire trail. I highly recommend this place and Debbie as your tour guide. Great experience by far.

First time horseback riding, very cool. I love the dog at the office, so cute and fluffy.

Best leisurely horseback riding experience I’ve ever had. My (hesitant, helmet-​wearing) friend and I went on the 2 hour ride, and it was fantastic! Definitely worth the price. You actually go into the mountainous landscape from which you experience amazing views. We had a 1pm appointment on a Tuesday, and it was just us with our guide, Alex. He was great as well. He was very knowledgeable and even stopped to pick us some baby dates from one of the palm trees in one of the oasis’ we went through!
I’m from Chicago, so unfortunately, I won’t be back anytime soon, but my friend who lives in CA already has plans of returning (sans the helmet this time)!

We had a great time, but next time we will take the 2 hour! Great place great owner and great horses!

Really nice people, beautiful horses, experienced and beginner rider friendly. They have different trail options and they go out at the top of every hour. Would go again and again if I had the money, but it’s very reasonably priced and totally worth it!

This was one of the greatest experiences I ever had, this is a great place for both children and adults, overall I would recommend to you the 1 hour ride great time well worth fifty dollars for a hour of great scenery and fun, I highly recommend this to anyone who hasn’t tried it.

Welcoming and beautiful place for young kids to feed the horses. We bought some carrots and brought them over for my two boys to feed a couple lucky horses.
Great experience !

The most amazing place EVER!
You just show up and get to ride, ride out from the stables or trailer off to other spectacular places. Great staff friendly and knowledgable of the area and local history. Good horses for all level of riders. They offer group or private rides through the Indian Canyons. Beautiful views no matter where you ride. Smoke Tree Stables are the best. If you miss this on your trip to Palms Springs — you really miss the beauty of the desert.

We walked in at 8 am on a Sat. and just the 2 of us was taken on the trail — 1 hour tour, which was perfect! — for me — the beginner and my man, who can ride a horse pretty well.
Our giude was very nice, informative, and enertaining…
So me and my Django enjoyed that ride quit a bit!
I’m sure that anyone can ride according to their skills — just let them know!

I loved this place. First time horseback riding and it was a lovely experience. Loved the staff and the horses! Would definitely come back again!

This is a really wonderful stable with smart and fun people. Debbie took myself, my sister-​in-​law, and my niece on a 2 hour ride. My SIL was a very raw beginner who was scared after a bad beach ride in Cabo. This ride was entirely comfortable for her and totally got her into thinking about riding more.
We rode along the trail and saw creatures, beautiful views, and interesting plants. Our guide was experienced and knowledgeable. She stopped and checked girths midway through and took a photo for us. She was a delightful woman — we couldn’t believe when she said she was grandma! This was one fit and cool lady!
We got the special custom ride where they trailer you out — but this was cause the bridge was under construction. I highly recommend this ride it was like riding in Arabia with desert and palm trees. Our horses were calm and sure footed and when we come back to Palm Springs we are coming here again.
We LOVED it! Thank you Smoke Tree!
WORD TO THE COMPLAINERS:
Now, some of these reviews are complaining about the «speed» of what they could or couldn’t do during their ride. If you want to go faster make sure you book a private ride with other experienced riders ONLY. Call ahead if you have an experienced child rider — ask about the type of ride — use common sense!
Only a stable that didn’t care for their animals would let some rider they don’t know hop on a horse and go bombing down a trail the rider isn’t familiar with! These are horses the stables cares about and have trained for years before letting you ride them — not a jalopy you rented from Hertz. Sheez…

Our group went on a two hour tour on a Monday. We had a nice, dusty, quiet ride. Very scenic. Our tour guide Jeff was great. He seemed quiet and brooding, just what you’d want in a cowboy. :) He was very helpful and knowledgable about the trail. Unfortunately he wasn’t partial to us Texas folk. Or our state anyway. Ha! Most of the staff seemed friendly and welcoming. I definitely thought it was worth it for the price. I was especially excited that you get your choice of cowboy hat. Be sure to take water if you go!