When some people think about Las Vegas, they don't picture casinos and the famous 'strip'. They picture saloons and gunfights, women in dresses from a bygone era, and train robberies. In other words, they picture the Old Wild West. To them, a trip to the city can mean only one thing: horseback riding in the desert, cowboy-style. Week-end and holiday cowboys from coast to coast, and some from abroad as well, flock to the city for the genuine cowboy experience that only Las Vegas horseback tours can give them.

Located just twenty-five miles outside of the city is Old Nevada, a fully functioning replica of an 1880's mining town, and the Bonnie Springs Ranch. The ranch offers a variety of riding-tours that take you into the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area at various times of the day. Most of them will either start or end with a genuine cowboy meal at the ranch, and a trip through time in Old Nevada.

The earliest ride in the day is the breakfast ride. It lasts about one and a half hours, and takes you into the desert just as it is waking and coming to life. After the ride, it's back to the ranch for a big breakfast. People who prefer to sleep in a bit can have the breakfast first, and take a later ride.

At mid-day the colors in the desert are at their peak, and you will get the chance to see for yourself the rich redness of the mountains that gave Red Rock Canyon its name. There's a big western lunch waiting for you when you get back from your ride.

A dinner ride takes you out on the trail during the mid to late afternoon. You will not only experience scenery of remarkable beauty, you will also see the changing colors of the desert sky as sunset starts to fall. After the ride, there is a western-style dinner.

You can wind down your day on the trail by having a little fun watching a simulated gunfight and hanging at Old Nevada, by visiting its wax museum, or by doing some souvenir shopping. There is even a melodrama that is enacted at the Saloon. For the kids, there is a petting zoo, and on weekends and holidays, a posse show that gets them involved in hunting down a villain.

About forty-five minutes outside of the city is another great horseback riding location. The Sandy Valley Ranch offers a full-day ranch experience designed to give you an authentic taste of cowboy life. Your day starts off with a morning ride in the Mojave Desert, followed by a light lunch. During the afternoon, you head back out to the desert for a cattle-drive, followed by some cowboy games when you're done, then it's off for a sunset ride. When you get back, you will be put to work helping to pen the cattle before wrapping up your day with a genuine western barbecue.

Should you happen to be feeling romantic, and are looking for that genuine western style romantic overnight trip, there is a combination sunset ride and barbecue, followed by a night in a covered wagon. In the morning you have to face the chickens when you collect your own eggs for breakfast.

If you are longing for the Old West, you can find it easy enough with Las Vegas horseback tours. They are certain to satisfy the cowboy in your soul.

Have fun with Las Vegas Horseback Tours . Get the ultimate low down now in our exclusive fab Things to do in Las Vegas review.

Posted under Horses