Horseback Riding

Miles and miles of pristine horseback riding trails are easily accessible from the St. Bernard Lodge. We offer affordable horse boarding rates in our stables, making us the perfect place for you and your horse to stay during your time in Chester. The Lodge is located about a mile away from the famous Pacific Crest Trail and is surrounded by many excellent logging roads that are open to horseback riding. We are very informed about the trails and routes located all throughout the region and are more than happy to provide directions to various trailheads nearby. Visit our Stables page for additional boarding information.

Nearby Trail Ideas

• The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): The world-famous PCT can be easily accessed from the Lodge using logging roads. It can be ridden in either direction.
• Domingo Springs to Drakesbad: A guest favorite, you can arrange to have lunch at Drakesbad and soak in their mineral hot spring pool after your ride.
• Stover Springs: Located 7 miles north, Stover Springs is a popular endurance-ride staging area.
• Carter Mountain: Heading south, you can cross the Soldier Meadow and climb beautiful Carter Mountain for a fun challenge with awe-inspiring views.
• Spencer Meadows Trail: This lovely trail is about 11 miles west of the lodge on Hwy 39.
• Bizz Johnson Trail: This excellent trail is actually a segment of an old railway route located 25 miles between Westwood and Susanville. It has eleven bridges and two tunnels, all passable on horseback. Six different trailheads are located along the route. This is a great option for exploring the changing colors during the fall months.
• Caribou Wilderness: Access the Caribou Wilderness through the Hay Meadows trailhead. The South Caribou Lakes Loop is 10 miles long and encompasses seven gorgeous lakes, including Beauty Lake, Posey Lake, Long Lake, and four hidden lakes.

Horseback Riding Trails in Lassen Park

Lassen Volcanic Park boasts over 150 miles of trails, 100 miles open to horseback riding. We love the Juniper Lake area, where you’ll find two horse corrals near the Juniper Lake Campground. Be advised that the trail involves 7 miles on washboard dirt roads to the trailhead. Other riding trails in Lassen Volcanic Park include:

• Jonesville to Colby Mountain
• Paynes Creek Recreation Area
• Sacramento River Bend Area
• Indian Valley Reservoir
• Great Shasta Rail Trail
• Bucks Lake Wilderness area with tie-in to PCT
• Snake Lake and Deanes Valley
• Meadow View Equestrian Campground
• Little Grass Valley Recreation Area

If you would like more information on any of these trails, please call us at 530-258-3382; we would be glad to help you. The best times to plan a horseback vacation in the area are mid-June to late September. Riding is still great in October, but nights start getting cold for the horses. We encourage you to get out and explore the region’s wonders on horseback. However, please keep in mind that:

• Horses are not permitted to travel cross-country while in Lassen Park
• It is prohibited to ride or stake animals in picnic areas or campgrounds
• Stock parties camping overnight are restricted to one of the designated sites at either Summit Lake, Corral, and Butte Lake Hitching Posts, or the Juniper Lake Corral

View this Flyer on saddle and pack use in Lassen Park for more helpful information.

Guided Trail Rides in Lassen Park and Lake Almanor

If you are new to riding or would like to go with an experienced guide, you can take a guided trail ride through both Lassen Volcanic Park and Lake Almanor. During the summer months, both Drakesbad and Plumas Pines stables offer excellent guided trail rides.

In Lassen Park, Drakesbad offers rides ranging from 45 minutes to eight hours. Their rides start from Drakesbad and take you to various points through the park:

• Boiling Springs Lake – ¾ hour
• Devils Kitchen – 1¾ hours
• Terminal Geyers – 2 ¾ hours
• Corral Meadow – 3 ½ hours
• Sifford Lakes – 4 hours
• Horseshoe Lake – 7 hours
• 5 Lakes Loop – 8 hours

Call Drakesbad directly at 866-999-0914 to make reservations. We suggest planning a day in the southeast corner of Lassen Park. Depending on the time and length of your ride, you may want to have lunch or dinner and enjoy the hot spring mineral pool. If you are not riding, take a hike to one of the locations. Remember that the last three miles into Drakesbad are on a dirt road.

At Lake Almanor, Plumas Pines Stables is located near Plumas Pines Resort, close to the shore of Lake Almanor. The stables are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Plumas Pines Stables offers rides ranging from one hour to one and a half hours. Overnight trips can also be arranged. Call 530-259-5170 to make reservations.