Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary - Joshua Tree, California

Maddy C.

What an incredible place. Chris leads an amazing team and you can tell both the animals and the humans all respect him so much.
We went for a sunset horseback ride, and were immediately greeted by the friendly dogs, and Marissa too! Spent a little time watching the goats and chickens play, petting the horses, and enjoying the views before we set off. Chris guides everyone through the process of getting on your horse and some basic instructions, which would make this comfortable for a first time rider too. The ride itself is slow and peaceful, with beautiful scenery all around. Marissa and Annie made sure everyone was comfortable and safe throughout. I didn’t want the ride to end!
Would absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys peace and animals. I will definitely be back one day.

Kassidy W.

Incredible horseback riding experience with Chris and Marissa. We did the sunset horseback ride which was fun and an amazing way to end the day. All of the horses are so gentle, well mannered, and a very safe experience.

They rescue these mustangs from the wild and find new homes for them. They offer other programs for connecting and healing with the horses too.

There is a goat pen you can hang out with the goats, chickens, and other animals too. Great for kids, families, or even bachelorette parties for something different.

Yasmin H.

Do not miss this special place! As soon as we arrived Apple, the dog and his many friends greeted and welcomed us. All the horses also came close to greet us. Our girls enjoyed the wonderful scenic pony ride guided by Chris. Chris is super special, knowledgeable and generous with his wealth of knowledge and experience with horses. We enjoyed interacting with and feeding horses and goats, even giving a bottle to the 1 day old baby goat! So much heart and soul has been poured into Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary and we can’t wait to come back soon! Thank you Chris and Marissa!

Megan E.

This is our daughter’s (age 5 1/2) favorite place to visit when we are in Joshua Tree. We have been welcomed by Marissa and Chris and their amazing animals each time and have been able to make a reservation easily as they are extremely responsive via phone and work with us to find a way to accommodate whatever group we have. We have come to know some of the incredible rescue horses and they are clearly cared for as they are trusting and friendly enjoy being pet and saying hello between rides. The goats (especially a baby goats, including our favorite little guy Theo), chickens, roosters, dogs and cats make for a fun animal visit even if you aren’t riding. We will be back again…and again…and again!

Chelsea W.

What an amazing experience! We stayed in the La Luna which was so spacious, beautifully furnished and so peaceful. We warmed up to a fire at night which was right next to the dome so very convenient. Most importantly we enjoyed our time with the wild mustangs, the friendly doggies and the cutest baby goats. We loved doing the interactive experience with the horses and learning about the mustang sanctuary and each of the background stories for the horses. This trip was so magical and nothing really compares. I can’t wait to come back! Heaven on earth.

Davon J.

I can’t say enough about how incredible our experience was at CTMS! We were lucky to use the property for a video shoot we’re submitting to a major artist, and it exceeded all expectations. The energy and spirit of the ranch were unmatched—it truly fueled our creativity and gave the entire crew a boost of momentum.

The ranch itself was absolutely stunning and the perfect backdrop for our project, adding depth and authenticity to everything we captured. The dome was an absolute game-changer, offering the crew a warm and cozy safe haven from the cold so we could focus on bringing the vision to life.

What really made the experience stand out, though, were the incredible staff, the animals, and, of course, Chris and Marisa. The staff was so kind, accommodating, and professional—it felt like they were part of the creative process with us. And the animals! The horses were beyond amazing—so approachable, gentle, and full of personality. You could tell they had a strong and loving relationship with people, thanks to the care and connection Chris and Marisa clearly put into them.

This ranch is not just a beautiful property; it’s a space full of love, warmth, and creativity. I’m so grateful for the experience and the generosity of Chris and Marisa. I’ll absolutely be keeping them posted on where this project goes because their support was such a key part of its success. Highly, highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a unique and inspiring space!

experiencing S.

An experience of a lifetime. Honestly, I had the most spiritual experience and a memory I’ll forever be appreciative of. As soon we arrived I immediately felt the healing energy of the animals, the land and the owner. You can truly tell how at peace these horses are and well trained they are around people. The owner and his team were super welcoming, educated and safe. Chris spent quality time expressing the history of the rescue horses, each one's personality and the purpose of this sanctuary. They were kind enough to help set up a photoshoot with the horses and then we got to ride the horses into the sunset. We were able to comfortably set up our clothing rack In the tent and have privacy throughout the shoot. We end up stargazing and mapping out the plants. During the ride I was speechless fully in awe of how connected and protected I felt. I think me and my friend hugged each other 10 times acknowledging how special of an experience this was to share together. Also, the baby goats melted our hearts. I can’t wait to go back and spend a night. I truly hope every person in the world gets to experience how incredible of a day we had.

Stacy Y.

We loved our visit to the Cascade Trails Mustang Sanctuary. I signed my two kids (ages 7 & 9) up for pony rides and we had a great time walking with them through the property. We spent an extra hour afterward just hanging out watching the animals, petting horses and goats, and talking with the owners. Would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the Joshua Tree area.