Necessary Information About Our Trail Rides
There is no other place where you can experience rides like this. The scenery is so spectacular it has been used as the backdrop for many movies and television programs. Our Navajo guides are experts at leading us on fascinating rides and they share their history, stories, traditional music and dance. The fellowship you'll be part of is like no other, giving you an experience of a lifetime.
Booking Your Ride
If you have your own group you want to book for, we are happy to accommodate you. Small group fees start at $6,500. There will be a $50 per person non-refundable fee.
The full amount of the ride must be paid a month in advance - before the first of April for Spring rides and before the first of August for Fall rides. No refunds will be offered within 30 days of the ride unless there is a medical emergency or other good reason, at the discretion of the ride manager. If you prefer, you can reschedule for any ride within the next year without any additional charge. If you cancel with more than 30 days notice, you will be refunded all but $50 of your fee. All cancellation refunds will be sent after the ride season. Be sure and book early as spaces tend to fill quickly.
If the ride you are interested in is booked, I do keep a waiting list in case someone needs to cancel. Ride packets will be available online this year. If you have a problem, please contact us.
Rides are not cancelled for weather. You need to be prepared for all conditions.
You will receive a packet with all of the information you need before your ride.
Costs & Extras
Ride Fees: $280 per person. Monument Valley Trail Rides will pay the back country and park fees, and any permits. You must be paid in-full 30 days before the ride or your spot will be given to someone on the waiting list.
Make all checks out to Don H. Vinson and mail to 1675 Los Osos Valley Road, Space 119, Los Osos, CA 93402.
We supply twenty-four pens for horses. People paying in full and early will have use of these pens at no charge (until we run out of pens).
We do our best to photograph each ride and supply each participant with a copy of the images on CD after the ride at no extra cost.
What to Expect
We ride five full days with each ride, returning to the base camp in the evening. Campers can bring tents, horse trailers with campers, or motor homes. The road going in is a little rough, but we go slow and you can make it.
We arrive at base camp late Sunday afternoon and will be met by our Navajo guides. After dinner, we'll gather around a big fire while our guide tells you about the upcoming week's rides. Anticipate some songs and drumming.
Valley Ride: Meet at Gouldings in the shopping center parking lot at 1:00 pm on Sunday. Come early if you need to shop, as we need to make sure that we are settled in for dinner at 6:30 pm and the rider meeting after that. We'll have 20 pens for horses. These pens go to the first 24 riders who pay their ride fee in full. The pens go fast, so book early. (See Map to Gouldings)
Douglas Mesa Ride: This will also be a great ride. It is 12 miles north of the valley and has a good road into it. There is a fantastic view of wide open plains canyons, draws, wild horses, and Indian ruins. Camp will be open after 12:00pm Saturday. You don't have to be guided in.
Meals
There have been a few changes—brought about by rider requests—this year.
Some of our regular riders wanted fully catered rides. The costs for that would be prohibitive (around $410) for many. So, I've been able to put together a terrific package—at $280 per rider—that will give us catered meals on Sunday, Thursday, and Friday nights and pot-luck dinners on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
We have a great time at our pot-luck dinners. Our guides always join us. One night the Navajo's cook us a taco dinner. Bring donations and tips for our hosts.
You provide your food for most meals (see above) and drinking water and your horse's food. We provide your horse's water, holding tank water, and water for shower bags and toilets.
Children and Dogs
Children twelve and older are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. No dogs will be allowed on the trail. In camp, all dogs must be tied or on a leash.
Things to Bring
Happy Trails! I'll see you on the ride!
Don Vinson
Send an Email or call us at 805 704-5778 to book a ride or for more information.
Don Vinson, 1675 Los Osos Valley Road, #119
Los Osos, CA 93402