Whitewater Rafting & Horseback Riding
PADDLE & SADDLE ADVENTURE
Whitewater Rafting and Horseback Riding - Paddle & Saddle Adventure
TRIP SNAP SHOT
11:00am daily May 15-Aug 31
May 15-Aug 31, Daily, Departing at 11:00am, check-in @ 10:00am. To book you MUST call us at 406-848-7510.
Horseback riding and whitewater rafting are always on the list of “Vacation Must Do’s” for most visitors. Leave the planning to us and take advantage of our Paddle/Saddle Package! We have developed a perfect day that combines both activities and will leave you smiling for days.
You’ll take a 1.5-hour horseback ride through the gorgeous Gallatin National Forest, enjoy lunch on us and cool off in the afternoon with an 8-mile family-friendly rafting adventure!
This beautiful river originates in Yellowstone Park and flows north for over 600 miles before joining with the Missouri River. It is the longest un-altered river in North America and a truly special place to raft.
The perfect ending to this day is a retreat to the local hot springs to relax! Ask your guide for directions. As this is one of our most popular trips, advance reservations are recommended.
$309 Adults
$299 Children 7-12 yrs old (Riders must be at least 7 yrs of age, see Paddle/Saddle Express to accommodate riders 7 years of age and up)
Weight Maximum of 300 lb per person
Full Itinerary +
10:00am: Check in at the Flying Pig Adventure Center at 511 Scott St. Gardiner, MT at 10:00 am, one hour prior to your ride. We will give you lunch tickets and driving directions up to the alpine ranch where the fun begins.
10:00am – 10:30am: Drive approximately 20-30 minutes to our partner guest ranch in the beautiful Absaroka Mountains.
*Please be advised: The drive to the ranch is up a mountainous, gravel road. For this reason, large RVs, travel trailers, motorcycles and vehicles with a clearance lower than a standard sedan are not recommended.
11:00am – 1:00pm: The cowboys will greet you upon your arrival and match you up with one of their awesome steeds. After you get saddled up, your ride will travel through the beautiful Gallatin National Forest overlooking Yellowstone National Park, taking you through a series of meadows and forests. The beautiful vistas are unforgettable!
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Drive back to Gardiner, MT to enjoy your included lunch.
2:45pm: Come back to our rafting headquarters and check in with the friendly administrative staff. We have changing rooms on site for you to change from your riding clothes to your rafting gear.
3:15pm – 5:00pm (approximate end time): Row, row, row your boat 8 miles down our family-friendly stretch of the Yellowstone River! Appropriate for adults and kids 40 lbs. or heavier, your friendly & professional river guide will help you navigate this 8 mile stretch, while sharing history about the area, and their best jokes! We’ll pick you up at the take-out and bring you back to our headquarters in town where you’ll be able to view the photos taken by our professional photographer, who will have been following you on the river. You then have the option of purchasing single prints or a full USB of approximately 15-20 photos which you can print, share and post as often as you like!
10:00am: Check in at the Flying Pig Adventure Center at 511 Scott St. Gardiner, MT at 10:00 am, one hour prior to your ride. We will give you lunch tickets and driving directions up to the alpine ranch where the fun begins.
10:00am – 10:30am: Drive approximately 20-30 minutes to our partner guest ranch in the beautiful Absaroka Mountains.
*Please be advised: The drive to the ranch is up a mountainous, gravel road. For this reason, large RVs, travel trailers, motorcycles and vehicles with a clearance lower than a standard sedan are not recommended.
11:00am – 1:00pm: The cowboys will greet you upon your arrival and match you up with one of their awesome steeds. After you get saddled up, your ride will travel through the beautiful Gallatin National Forest overlooking Yellowstone National Park, taking you through a series of meadows and forests. The beautiful vistas are unforgettable!
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Drive back to Gardiner, MT to enjoy your included lunch.
2:45pm: Come back to our rafting headquarters and check in with the friendly administrative staff. We have changing rooms on site for you to change from your riding clothes to your rafting gear.
3:15pm – 5:00pm (approximate end time): Row, row, row your boat 8 miles down our family-friendly stretch of the Yellowstone River! Appropriate for adults and kids 40 lbs. or heavier, your friendly & professional river guide will help you navigate this 8 mile stretch, while sharing history about the area, and their best jokes! We’ll pick you up at the take-out and bring you back to our headquarters in town where you’ll be able to view the photos taken by our professional photographer, who will have been following you on the river. You then have the option of purchasing single prints or a full USB of approximately 15-20 photos which you can print, share and post as often as you like!
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR TRIPS ON:
“Flying pig adventures did an excellent job booking our adventure! We went Horseback riding with Maryeus and Rowland who were excellent guides and took good care of us throughout the countryside. It was a beautiful ride and the horses were a lot of fun. There were plenty of dogs and animals on the ranch as well. Whitewater rafting was a lot of fun as well, we had a great guide Michael who kept us on course through the rapids we also reached a point in the stream where we could jump out to swim, which was cold but very refreshing. Along the way, the guide was very informative and instructed us about nearby mountains, streams and local wildlife.” – wanderjeff
“My son (10) and I did a 1 hour horseback riding/8 mile water rafting experience. The horse back riding was just beautiful. Our horses were super easy going and made it a nice relaxing ride taking in the stunning views! The highlight of this experience was definitely the rafting! Our guide, Baxter, was incredible! My son can’t stop raving about him. He shared lots of history, knowledge, and comedy during the float. He even let him take the reigns for a short bit! He wants to be river guide now. hahaha. The whole thing was just amazing. I highly recommend the Flying Pig Paddle and Saddle!” – Ashley8301
Paddle & Saddle FAQs
What’s the difference between the Paddle & Saddle and the Express trip?
The Full Day Paddle & Saddle includes a longer horseback ride (1.5 hours), lunch at a local restaurant or food truck, and our 8-mile rafting trip (about 6.5 hours total). You’ll check in at 10am, ride from 11am–12:30pm, then enjoy lunch in Gardiner. After lunch, your rafting trip launches at 3:15pm and finishes around 5:15pm.
The Express is the perfect half-day trip that includes the best of both worlds, with a 1-hour horseback ride and our 8-mile rafting trip, about 4 hours total. Start times are available in the morning and the afternoon.
Which shoes should I wear for a Paddle & Saddle?
For the horseback ride, we require closed-toe shoes like sneakers. For the rafting trip you can bring your own water shoes or sandals as long as they have a heel strap (no flip-flops), or use the provided water shoes that are included with your rafting trip.
Is prior horseback riding experience required?
No previous horseback experience is necessary and we welcome riders of all abilities!
Do we need to drive ourselves to the ranch?
Yes, after checking in with us at our shop, we will give you directions to drive yourself up to the ranch where the wranglers will pair you with your horse. The ranch is located about 5 miles up a mountain gravel road, but low clearance vehicles are just fine if you take it slow.
Is prior horseback riding experience required?
No previous horseback experience is necessary and we welcome riders of all abilities!
What lunch is provided and do you accommodate dietary needs?
Guests on the Full Day Paddle & Saddle get lunch from one of our partner restaurants or food trucks in Gardiner. Choose from a local sandwich and salad spot, a burger joint, or a barbecue food truck. When you check in, you’ll receive a Flying Pig wristband that covers your meal. Just show your wristband and order off the menu!
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions when you book, so we can help you plan ahead with our restaurant partners.
Where do we store rafting gear while horseback riding?
At the ranch and during your horseback ride, it’s perfectly safe to leave valuables and gear in your car.
After your ride and back at the rafting shop, you’ll use our changing rooms and store valuables with us in numbered boxes for phones, keys, and wallets while you’re on the water.
Are professional photos taken for rafting and horseback riding?
We do not take photos of the horseback portion, but we do take professional photos of the whitewater rafting portion of your trip! These photos are available for preview and purchase as a bundle immediately following your rafting trip.