How to Book a Ride or Request a Trip with Balch Park Pack Station

Updated

Balch Park Pack Station takes ride and trip requests through the "Request a Ride!" form on balchpark.com, and the form is the only booking channel described on the site. You fill in your name, email, phone number, the service you want, and a requested date, then add any details in the request box and submit. Trips run June through September only, so any date outside that window won't work. The station is family owned and operated by Tim and Dianne Shew, who invite you to contact them directly if you're unsure where to start.

What the Request Form Asks For

The form has five required fields plus a details box:

Field What to enter
First name / Last name Your name, marked required
Email A working address for the reply
Phone A number the station can call
Select a Service Choose from the options in the dropdown
Date Requested Must fall between June and September
Request Details Group size, which ride or trip you want, questions

The site doesn't list the dropdown options, so match your choice to the service names below. Put anything the fields don't capture—number of riders, whether you need stock or a packer, special needs—into Request Details.

Pick Your Service Before You Submit

Day rides

  • 1 Hour Ride — $65 per person, minimum 2 guests
  • Two Hour Ride — $125 per person, minimum 4 guests
  • Half Day Ride — $165 per person, minimum 4 guests

If your group is smaller than the minimum, say so in Request Details rather than assuming you can book.

All-inclusive pack trips

  • 2 guests: $350 per person, per day
  • 3–5 guests: $300 per person, per day
  • 6+ guests: $250 per person, per day

The per-person rate drops as the group grows, so a larger party pays less per head.

Spot trips (stock and packer)

For trips to Hockett, Maggie's and Blossom Lakes, Wet Meadow, and Pecks—eight hours or more in and out:

  • Horses and mules: 1-day spot trip $100 per day per animal; 2-day spot trip $150 per day per animal
  • Packer (guide): 1-day spot trip $200 per day; 2-day spot trip $250 per day

Details Worth Including in Your Request

  • Group size and ages — it determines which rides you qualify for and your pack-trip rate.
  • Preferred dates and a backup — June through September fills up; give the station room to fit you in.
  • Service and destination — name the ride or trip, and for spot trips name the lake or meadow.
  • Stock needs — how many animals and whether you need a packer.
  • Experience level — useful for matching you to the right ride.

After You Submit

The form is a request, not a confirmed reservation. The station reviews it and gets back to you by email or phone, so watch both. If you haven't heard back and your dates are close, call or email Tim and Dianne directly using the contact details on the site. The homepage also has a video about the pack station if you want a feel for the operation before committing.

Common Stumbles

  • Requesting a date outside June–September. The form says June–Sept. only; off-season dates won't be honored.
  • Booking below the minimum. A single rider can't take the 1-hour ride, and the 2-hour and half-day rides need four.
  • Leaving the service blank or vague. The dropdown is required, and a clear choice speeds up the reply.
  • Treating the form as a confirmation. Plan around hearing back before you finalize travel.