WILDERNESS HORSEBACK RIDING

Access to Budge’s Wilderness Lodge is by high-clearance 4WD only. Standard pickups and stock SUVs with about 9” of clearance can make the trip, just take it slow. After September 1st or anytime snow is in the forecast, well-fitting tire chains with tensioners are required.

Most guests flying in to Colorado choose to rent an SUV to drive to the lodge. Whether you’re flying into Denver or Eagle, all major rental car companies offer high clearance pickups and SUVs.

If you not have a high-clearance vehicle or prefer not to drive to the lodge, we offer pick-up near Deep Lake, which is about 8 miles from the lodge for $400 round trip per vehicle (max 4 passengers). This requires driving on improved dirt roads for about 28 miles.

If you’d prefer to avoid dirt roads altogether, we offer pick-up at the Eagle County Regional Airport for $600, round trip per vehicle (max 4 passengers).

For detailed directions and other info, please see our Guest Information Page.

In this remote wilderness area, riders can expect extreme weather, high altitude and rugged terrain. The weight limit for horseback riders is 250 lbs. Upon booking, please fill out our Health and Medical Questionnaire so that our guides and crew can do their best to create a fun and memorable experience.

For a suggested packing list, what to expect and directions to the lodge, please see our Guest Information Page.

The minimum recommended age for horseback riding is 12 years old, depending on the child and previous riding experience. As an alternative for younger kids (or anyone who is not interested in riding a horse), we offer fully-guided fly fishing trips on foot. This is a great way to experience the wilderness, hike through beautiful country, and learn how to fly fish. Visit our Fishing Page to learn more.

Tips are customary and certainly appreciated. We recommend tipping 20% of the cost of your trip. Gratuity can be divided equally between the wrangler(s), kitchen and lodge crew. Cash is preferred and we have envelopes available at the lodge.

Owing to a brief season, remote location, the highest safety standards and industry leading service, our wilderness experiences are operationally cost-intensive. For that reason, our payment and cancellation policies are as follows:

Deposits & Payments:

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm all reservations. The balance is due 30 days prior to arrival and is non-refundable. All payments are non-refundable under any circumstances. If full payment is not received by the due date, you may forfeit your deposit and your space may be offered to our wait list.

Cancellations:

You may cancel your trip at any time, but all payments, deposits and fees paid to Budge’s are 100% non-refundable. No exceptions. If a fishing or horseback riding trip is cancelled with more than 60-days notice prior to the arrival date, the non-refundable deposit may be credited toward other guests or dates within 12 months of the date of the original reservation, subject to availability. For cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the arrival date, the exact reservation may be transferred to another guest, or the payments received will be forfeited. For these reasons, we strongly advise guests to purchase vacation cancellation insurance through your local provider. These are the standard operating policies of Budge’s and are subject to change without notice.