Cowboy Town Sabandar Abandoned & Closed? The Real 2026 Reality You Need to Know Before Visiting

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Why Was Cowboy Town Sabandar Abandoned and Closed Since 2023?

For those wondering how such a creative and highly unique local attraction ended up abandoned, it mostly comes down to post-pandemic challenges and heavy maintenance requirements. Maintaining a massive property built entirely out of raw wood requires constant upkeep to protect it from the harsh tropical elements, heavy humidity, and termites.

Having shut its gates officially around 2023, the main structures of Cowboy Town Sabandar have grown weathered and now resemble a quiet, isolated ghost town. Because certain wooden walkways and porches have started to rot over the years, the entire main town perimeter has been fenced off securely to keep visitors safe.

It is honestly a huge shame because the place had so much potential for Tuaran tourism. But unfortunately, online photos from a few years ago don't always match the current ground reality.

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The Great News: Sabandar Leisure Ride (Horse Riding) Is Still Open!

While the specific western-themed buildings at Cowboy Town Sabandar are a thing of the past, you definitely shouldn’t cross the name Sabandar off your travel itinerary. The property sitting right next to the abandoned town—the famous Sabandar Leisure Ride—is still fully operational and open to the public!

Their horse stables, riding tracks, and horse care management were completely unaffected by the closure of the adjacent cowboy town. So, if your primary goal for visiting was to experience the thrill of riding horses right on the sandy shoreline, you can still head over without any issues.

Here are the activities you can still enjoy over at Sabandar right now:

• Scenic Beach Riding: Take a gorgeous horse ride along the vast, sandy stretches of Pantai Sabandar, guided safely by a professional horse handler.
• Stable Visits: Great for kids to see these beautiful animals up close and try their hand at feeding them fresh carrots or grass.
• Sunset Spotting: Pantai Sabandar itself remains a stunning, breezy public beach lined with shady casuarina (rhu) trees. It is still one of the most peaceful spots in Tuaran to watch a classic Sabahan sunset.

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Important Tips for Anyone Planning a Trip to Sabandar Now

Because the setup of the location has significantly changed compared to its peak years, here are a few practical, up-to-date tips for your trip:

1. Don’t Visit Just for the Cowboy Aesthetic: If your main intention is strictly to walk through old western saloon doors or take photos inside the wooden fort, skip it because everything is locked up. Come with the mindset of enjoying a peaceful beach day or trying out horse riding at Sabandar Leisure Ride instead.
2. Check with the Stable Operators First: Before driving out, it’s always a good idea to check their riding schedule or message them. Horse riding activities are usually paused during sudden heavy downpours for the safety of both the riders and the horses.
3. Bring Your Own Supplies: Since the saloon restaurant inside the cowboy town is permanently closed, food and drink options right on the property are very limited. Grabbing a few bottles of mineral water or quick snacks from Tuaran town beforehand is highly recommended.

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Conclusion: The Reality of Sabandar Today

At the end of the day, Cowboy Town Sabandar has unfortunately become a piece of history and stands as an abandoned tourist spot in Sabah since 2023. However, the raw natural beauty of Pantai Sabandar and the excellent horse-riding experiences at Sabandar Leisure Ride still make the area a highly rewarding weekend getaway for the family.

So, don't overthink it. You can still plan a trip to Sabandar this weekend, just pivot your focus to a relaxing beach stroll and a fun, scenic horse-riding session!

For those of you who managed to visit the cowboy town before it closed down, do you still keep any old photos inside their saloon? Let me know in the comments below!