Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground sits at the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area in the White River National Forest. Located at an elevation of approximately 9,600 feet, this seasonal campground experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 40s after sunset. The campground has 10 sites with powder river corrals designed specifically for horses and riders exploring the surrounding wilderness trails.
What to do
Horseback exploration: Access multiple wilderness trails directly from Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground. "The hiking is fantastic from the campground. Trappers Lake is outstanding. There are many trails and the views are some of the best," notes Doug W., who visited with a short fifth wheel.
River fishing: Fish for brook trout in nearby streams at Sugarloaf Campground. Located on the Williams Fork of the Colorado River, this campground offers easy access to fishing spots. "Fishing on the Williams fork is fair to good for Brook Trout with the occasional Brown Trout being caught. Pressure is generally light upstream from Sugarloaf and a bit more congested downstream," reports David B.
Hot springs access: Visit Radium Hot Springs after a day of riding. "The hot spring is definitely the highlight and a major draw. It is a beautiful natural hot spring located at the bottom of a cliff along the banks of the Colorado River. Some call this a warm spring, as it stays around 80-90 degrees," according to Isabelle K., who frequently visits the area.
What campers like
Uncrowded facilities: Enjoy the quieter atmosphere at the equestrian campground. "We stayed in the equestrian campground. In two of the campgrounds (on the left as you come in), only the smallest of trailers will work. The first one on the right is the equestrian campground and the second one on the right is the reservable campground," shares Doug W., who appreciated the lack of crowds.
Aspen forests: Camp among aspen trees at North Fork Campground near Meeker. "This campground sits in an Aspen forest, and many of the sites have some trees if enough to provide some shade some of the day," notes Ruth L., who visited during a particularly hot summer.
River proximity: Set up near flowing water at campgrounds throughout the region. "We pulled in at night in July and had four spots with different RVs/Pop-Ups...kids had plenty of space, river was rushing, two hiking trails, in between both campsites," reports Taylor C. about Pine Valley Ranch.
What you should know
Limited shade: Prepare for sun exposure at Horse Thief Equestrian Campground. "One issue is NO shade," cautions Greg L., highlighting the effects of previous forest fires on the area.
Water availability: Bring water containers to fill at the single spigot. "There is water but no other services. Cell service? Forget about it," advises Doug W. about the Trappers Lake area facilities.
Seasonal road conditions: Check current road status before heading to higher elevation camps like Buffalo Pass Dispersed. "Road closed right by Buffalo Pass campground. No way of getting through to spots and no sign of when the road will open," reported Colleen C. in early June, finding the gate wasn't open until June 15 on the Steamboat side.
Bugs in summer: Pack insect repellent for summer visits. "When you see other reviews that say there are lots of bugs… they were not exaggerating, there are massive swarms of mosquitoes everywhere," warns Doug B. about camping near Bond in late June.
Tips for camping with families
Multi-tiered campsites: Look for unique camping spots with natural features. "We chose a great site that was actually 2 tiered! We had a spot for our truck with truck bed tent and then some stairs led to the picnic table, fire ring, and ground tent site," shares Nikki and Will W. about their experience at North Fork Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Keep food secure but watch for local wildlife. "Had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee," reports Matthew V. about his stay at Four Mile Road Dispersed, noting it's a "heavy wildlife area" just 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs.
Kid-friendly water access: Find spots where children can safely explore streams. "We camped up Beaver Creek many times over the years and have enjoyed plenty of Dispersed Camping spots. Some are big enough for a group and some are small enough for a family. Great fishing spots for small brookies," notes Kasy A. about the Beaver Creek area.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Measure your rig before selecting a site near Bond. "We have a short 5th wheel (26') and we found only a couple of sites we could fit in. I would say that 32' is about it," cautions Doug W. about the Trappers Lake area campgrounds.
Road accessibility: Plan your route carefully when towing to equestrian sites. "The access road is in great shape and while it is gravel, it is passable with any vehicle and trailer combination," reports Doug W. about reaching the Trappers Lake Horse Thief campground.
Ground conditions: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "The ground is a bit rocky and unlevel in some sites," notes Todd J. about North Fork Campground, while Meghan A. adds, "The ground was very rocky and undeveloped, not great for tents. We kept sliding while we slept."
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