Indian Creek Equestrian Campground sits at approximately 7,400 feet elevation in Pike National Forest, about 10 miles southeast of Bailey, Colorado. The area features lodgepole pine and aspen forests with moderate temperatures ranging from 70-80°F in summer days and 40-50°F at night. The campground operates from late May through early September with most sites situated in partial shade.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Trails leaving from Indian Creek connect to broader trail systems. "The Indian Creek trail system is ideal for mountain biking or running, with access to the Colorado Trail running through it as well," notes a visitor at Indian Creek Equestrian Campground.
Hiking with family: Several trails offer nature-focused adventures. "The trail heading North out of the parking lot is great, well maintained and also has hidden 7 dwarfs along the trail to try and find. We did it four times just to make sure we found all 7," reports a camper who stayed at Indian Creek.
Wildlife viewing: The surrounding mountains provide habitat for diverse wildlife. A camper at Kirby Gulch recounted: "The hiking is great, it heads through treelines and along the creek up to a marshy meadow with beautiful views of snowy mountain peaks." Visitors sometimes spot moose, deer, and various bird species.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: While not completely secluded, many equestrian sites offer reasonable separation. At Staunton State Park, which has similar site layouts to some Bailey horse campgrounds, "Sites are stretched out along two short trails. Most far enough that it makes sense to treat it a bit like backpacking so you have fewer trips to make."
Shade coverage: The forest setting provides natural temperature control. A visitor to Kenosha Pass Campground noted: "All of the sites are surrounded by trees, there is quite a bit of shade, and even though it is very close to 285 I thought the road noise was pretty minimal." Similar tree coverage exists at Indian Creek.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high at most area campgrounds. "The campground is very clean, the camp sites were nicely spaced out, the vaulted toilets were very clean, even though we had brought plenty of water there is a water pump," reported a camper at Kenosha Pass, reflecting similar conditions at Indian Creek.
What you should know
Strict fire regulations: Many equestrian campgrounds near Bailey enforce fire restrictions. At Guanella Pass, a similar facility, campers advise: "Watch for drainage flow paths during spring so that you don't wake up in a temporary river or mud bog."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies but is generally sparse. "There is no Verizon service anywhere on the campgrounds," noted a Kenosha Pass visitor. Be prepared to be offline during your stay at most horse-focused campgrounds.
Seasonal crowds: Weekends can become busy, especially in mid-summer. "We went in the middle of the week we had our choice of spot," shared a camper at Staunton State Park, suggesting a similar approach might work at Indian Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain elevations mean significant day-to-night changes. A visitor at Chatfield State Park Campground recommended: "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos," highlighting the need to prepare for varied conditions.
Water availability: While some sites offer potable water, capacity may be limited. "The pump water is rusty so good for dishes," advised a Kenosha Pass camper, suggesting bringing drinking water supplies.
Check trail difficulty: Not all paths suit young hikers. "Trail #800 is pretty sketchy these days due to excessive water erosion. 3' deep and 8" wide troughs to walk along with so much overgrowth it's hard to navigate," warned an Indian Creek visitor.
Tips for RVers
Access challenges: The road systems around Bailey's horse campgrounds can be restrictive. At Golden Gate Canyon State Park, a camper advised: "The drive up can be a bit breathtaking, but it can be done!" Similar caution applies when hauling horse trailers to Indian Creek.
Site selection: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. "Several spots are large enough for a big camper, but the tight curves on the loop and thick trees make it a little questionable for maneuvering," observed a visitor to Kenosha Pass, reflecting similar limitations at Indian Creek.
Seasonal access: Spring and fall visits require weather monitoring. "The campground is very clean, well maintained. Very friendly attendant. Level primitive spots," noted a Chatfield visitor, highlighting the importance of choosing appropriate sites for your setup.
