$25 / night

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Established Camping

Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

3 Reviews

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Park entrance permits, one for each vehicle, are required for each day in addition to camping fees. You can purchase vehicle entrance permits prior to arrival at your campsite. For more info, please visit: https://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/permits There are NO fires allowed at any time during your stay. Violators will be evicted. Parking only at Horsetooth Mountain Open Spaces main lot. - 6550 West County Road 38E These are walk-to sites only. Expect at least a 2-mile hike with close to 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Be prepared!

Description

The scenic 2,711-acre Horsetooth Mountain Open Space (consisting of Culver, Soderberg, and Hughey Open Spaces) covers elevations from 5,430 to 7,255 feet. Its 29.5 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails connect to the Blue Sky Trail and Lory State Park. The outstanding Horsetooth Rock is a familiar local landmark visible from the plains. This open space is also known for Horsetooth Falls in the spring, and for tremendous Front Range views. Drinking water is available at the trailhead. Please carry enough food and water for your backcountry camping experience. NO FIRES allowed. (NO RESTROOMS, be ready to pack out all waste or have a shovel to bury waste.) Follow Leave No Trace principles. Horsetooth Mountain Open Space requires entrance permits, is open year-round, and is located west of Horsetooth Reservoir, 4 miles from Fort Collins and 12 miles northwest of Loveland.

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space specific notices:

ALERT: You must be in the parking lot by 11 pm. The gates will close at 11 pm to all visitors entering. You will be able to exit at any time.
WARNING: Absolutely NO FIRES allowed at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. You will be evicted if you start a fire.
Follow "Leave No Trace" Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
Drinking water is only available at the trailhead parking lot.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times to protect wildlife and natural resources.
Each reservation is for one site that can have up to two tents with 6 people max.
The exit gate is automatic, allowing you to leave any time after 11 P.M. (You will not be able to re-enter the open space until 4 a.m. the next day)
Check In Times: Noon for campsites (can check in later). Go directly to campsite after obtaining required park entrance permits (annual or daily).
Check Out Time: 11 AM.

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Location

Backcountry Campground — Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is located in Colorado

Directions

From Denver: Take I-25 north to the Harmony Road/Timnath exit (#265). Turn left (west) continuing on Harmony Road for 7 miles where it becomes County Road 38E at the Taft Hill Road intersection. Continue west on County Road 38E approximately 8 more miles until you reach the entrance for Horsetooth Mountain Open Space which will be on your right hand side (north).

Address

4200 West County Road 38 E
Fort Collins, CO 80526

Coordinates

40.533454 N
105.192 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

A Little Country in the City - County Line Hobby Farm

41 min away

Paradise on the River

44 min away

Drive Time

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16 min from Fort Collins, CO
38 min from Greeley, CO
54 min from Boulder, CO
58 min from Cheyenne, WY

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Reservable
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

+19704985610

Reservations

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Miranda K.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 26, 2022

Private, beautiful, and easy backpacking site!

This would be a perfect first backpacking trip for beginners! Once you park, you sign in to the backpacking log to the right of the main entrance by the kiosk. The sites are first come first serve. From the parking lot, it’s only about a mile and a half. The site is off the main trail and is secluded enough so you don’t see hikers or bikers. It has a nice view of Horsetooth Reservoir and you are surrounded by the trees/rocks. There isn’t much shade coverage though. This site would be a perfect base for exploring Horsetooth rock/Horsetooth falls! There’s a wooden table about 50 yards from where you set up your tent so no need to bring chairs. There isn’t a water source close by so you’ll have to pack all your water. Also leave no trace and pack all your trash when you leave!

Sitesite 2

Month of VisitMay

(5) View All

Alyssa E.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2017

Backcountry-ish

if you are okay for a little bit of a hike up the mountain I grantee you will not regret the views you get of the beautiful town of fort Collins. Great sunrises and away from traffic noise tho you may have to deal with a little bit of noise from the hiking trail but other than that horse tooth has 3 back country sites that are perfect. highly recommend spending a night up there to watch the sun light up the town of Foco!

Month of VisitJune

(4) View All

Isabelle K.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 6, 2017

Horsetooth Backcountry Site

This backcountry site is a hidden gem just off of the commonly used Horsetooth Rock trail. Awesome panoramic views and plenty of wildlife.

SiteBackcountry site 3

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dispersed camping allowed at Horsetooth Reservoir?

No, dispersed camping is not allowed at Horsetooth Reservoir. The only designated camping within the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space area is at the Backcountry Campground, which requires a hike-in approach and offers established sites. Camping at Horsetooth Reservoir and surrounding areas is restricted to designated campgrounds only. For proper camping experiences in this area, visitors should use either the Backcountry Campground or look into the established campgrounds around the reservoir operated by Larimer County.

Can you camp in Horsetooth Mountain Open Space?

Yes, camping is allowed at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, but only at the designated Backcountry Campground. The campground is accessible via a 1.5-mile hike from the main parking area. Sites are first-come, first-served, and you must sign in at the backpacking log located by the kiosk near the main entrance. The campground is secluded from the main trail, offering privacy while still being accessible for beginners to backpacking.

What activities and trails are available at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space?

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space offers excellent hiking opportunities, with the popular Horsetooth Rock trail being a primary attraction. The area provides panoramic views of Fort Collins and the surrounding landscape, making it ideal for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing throughout the open space. Sunrise watching is particularly spectacular from the higher elevations. The trail system is well-maintained, though you may encounter other hikers, especially on the main trails. For a more secluded experience, the paths near the Backcountry Campground offer more solitude while still providing access to the area's natural beauty.

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