About Rafter Six Ranch
Cowley's Rafter Six Ranch is a trail riding specialist tucked into the Kananaskis Valley at Exshaw, just 15 minutes east of Canmore and 30 minutes from Banff. The ranch has been guiding horseback adventures through the Canadian Rockies for decades, offering a wide selection of ride lengths and difficulty levels that suit everyone from nervous first-timers to confident riders looking for more challenging terrain.
Ride options range from a gentle one-hour loop through the foothills to half-day and full-day expeditions that venture deeper into the backcountry along the Bow River and up into alpine meadows. An intermediate-to-advanced 1.5-hour ride caters to experienced riders who want to cover more ground at a faster pace. The ranch also hosts private group bookings, corporate retreats, wagon rides, and special events, with on-site facilities that can accommodate larger gatherings.
Rafter Six's appeal lies in its stunning location at the mouth of the Kananaskis Valley, where the prairies meet the mountains and the riding terrain transitions from open grassland to forested river valleys within a single ride. The Cowley family's long stewardship of the ranch ensures well-trained horses, maintained trails, and a welcoming western hospitality that keeps families and groups returning season after season.
