Frequently Asked Questions
The Experience
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For both retreats, you will likely be riding every day. This includes a skill assessment, a short and a long trail ride. Our emphasis is on the horsemanship experience, and we want you in the saddle as much as possible.
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Meals, lodging, activities, horses, tack, and a few special extras are all included in the cost of camp. Horses are included - this is not a bring your own horse experience.
For assistance with traveling to/from the Durango airport, please contact us via email.
We will bring a limited amount of wine/beer to the Backcountry - participants are limited to two beverages per evening. Alcohol is for sale at the Lodge, or BYOB. There is a beautiful bar and lounge at Keyah Grande for our use.
*Sleeping bags aren’t included at Backcountry Camp - please bring one! Reach out in advance if this is an issue.
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Each camp experience has its own needs. Please see the What to Bring page for your Camp experience.
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Some Experience (for the Backcountry) means you have confidence haltering, leading, and riding a horse under control at a walk/trot.
No Experience (for the Lodge) means you don’t have to have ever ridden a horse before to be able to join us at horse camp! Although we do recommend taking a lesson or two, to get the most out of the experience, just so you can ride out confidently from day one.
To help:
A “no experience” rider might have pet horses in the past or gone on one trail ride, but otherwise doesn’t know much at all about horses - except that she loves them and wants more experience with them.
A beginner rider might have taken lessons as a child, done some trail rides in the past, and is generally eager to be around horses, but has limited experience with them in recent years. Beginner rides are limited to walking, with a small chance to trot depending on how quickly riders pick up skills.
An intermediate rider has recent experience in the saddle, is confident at the walk and trot and horse handling. Intermediate riders should be able to tack up a horse on their own.
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As long as you love horses, are open to coaching and can follow directions, you’ll be able to do this. We have three hosts, which allows us to accommodate different skill and confidence levels.
Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate rider (or have no experience!) we’re going to work with you to ensure you have a fun time - and if you ultimately find yourself needing to skip a ride or activity, we’ll give you passes to spend the time at our local Hot Springs resort (Backcountry Camp) or you can relax at the hot tub and activity rooms (Lodge Camp).
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We accept any woman over the age of 18.
You must be able to swing your leg over a horse from a mounting block, unassisted by us.
You must weigh less than 220lbs, for the safety of our horses.
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Husbands, boyfriends, dogs, your own horse, white and light colored clothes that you don’t want getting dirty.
Bad attitudes, closed minds and closed hearts. We expect everyone at camp to be a team player, to be friendly, polite, and kind to one another.
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Pagosa Springs is located in southwest Colorado, on the western slope. Located 1 hour from the Durango (DRO) Airport. There are shuttles to Pagosa, cabs for hire, or rental cars available in Durango.
We’re 6 hours southwest from Denver (DIA) Airport, and 4 hours north from Albuquerque (ABQ) Sunport.
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Read about our cancellation policy here.
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Nope - this is for women, by women.
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Sure can! Just email us after everyone is registered and we will make sure you are roomed together.
At Base Camp, that will be in the same tent.
At Luxe Camp, your situation will depend on group size - we can group 2 to 4 women in the same room.
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Yes, but please let us know in advance. Two weeks ahead for Base Camp, four weeks for Luxe Camp.
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We’re three women who are passionate about horses, the outdoors, and helping people access experiences they couldn’t have on their own.
Kat runs her own horsemanship and training business in Pagosa - Green Horsemanship. She is a former Parelli Natural Horsemanship employee.
Candace is a lifelong rider and has significant backcountry horse experience - she’s trained her own pack string, who you’ll get to meet. She is also a former Parelli Natural Horsemanship employee.
Michela is also a lifelong rider with a passion for outdoor access. She trained her own Mustang. She works in advertising, has lived in London, Boston, and New York, and found her home in Pagosa Springs.
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Send us an email, we’ll help! We’re available at wolfcreekcowgirlcamp@gmail.com