Pike National Forest encompasses Horseshoe Campground, a US Forest Service facility that sits along the Williams Fork River near the base of Mount Sherman. The campground operates seasonally from late May through early October, charging $24 per night for sites that accommodate RVs up to 40 feet with sewer hookups available.
Access requires navigating a bumpy dirt road that several campers describe as rough but manageable for standard vehicles. The entrance lacks clear signage, making it easy to miss on first approach. Once inside, campers find sites scattered among dense stands of conifers, with many positioned directly alongside the flowing creek. Erica H. notes "tons of pull out spots for true dispersed camping" just down the road for those seeking alternatives.
Sites vary considerably in layout and terrain. Some feature level ground suitable for tents, while others present challenges with sloped surfaces that make setup difficult. The larger sites work well for group camping, particularly sites 9-11 which offer expanded parking areas. A trail system connects directly to Fourmile Campground, providing hiking access between the two facilities.
Vault toilets serve the campground, though cleanliness standards fluctuate according to visitor reports. The facility includes fire rings, trash service, and allows pets throughout. Bear activity occurs in the area, but the campground lacks bear lockers for food storage. ATV traffic on nearby roads can create noise during peak periods, though the sound of the creek helps mask vehicle sounds at waterside sites.
The location serves as a staging point for Mount Sherman climbs, positioned about 15 minutes from the trailhead. Campers seeking camping near Fairplay will find this spot roughly five miles west of town, offering a forested alternative to more crowded Summit County options.
Description
Overview
Horseshoe Campground sits along its namesake creek near a grassy meadow among aspen, Engelmann spruce and Bristlecone pines in the San Isabel National Forest. Trees provide good privacy between campsites, which are located at the base of Sheep Mountain.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy the Limber Grove Trail, a 3-mile mountainside path that winds through 1,000-year-old limber pine with gigantic twisted trunks. Fishing or wading in Horseshoe Creek are also popular pastimes.
Facilities
The campground fits RVs up to 25 feet in length. Picnic tables, vault toilets, drinking water and campfire rings are provided.
Natural Features
Hikers looking for the thrill of "fourteeners," the term for mountain peaks above 14,000 feet, will find Horseshoe Campground to be an ideal location to camp. The primitive campground is located near Mount Sherman, Lincoln, Bross and Democrat - all impressive peaks for avid hikers. At elevation 10,600 feet, it's not hard to find fantastic mountain views.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest town is Fairplay, Colorado, a historic gold mining settlement of the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. The town has an open air museum that sets that helps recreate the life and times of the 19th century gold rush era. The nearby County Route 18 marks the Horseshoe/Fourmile Historic Auto Tour.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundHorseshoe Campground is located in Colorado
Directions
From Fairplay travel south on US-285 for about one mile. Turn right onto County Road 18. Continue for approximately 6 miles to the campground on the left.
Coordinates
39.2016667 N
106.0861111 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 4/17/26- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 4/17/26
- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 52 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 1 hr 52 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 2 min from Boulder, CO
- 2 hrs 5 min from Pueblo, CO
