While Brighton offers no dedicated equestrian facilities, nearby campgrounds provide alternatives for outdoor enthusiasts. Cherry Creek State Park Campground, located 25 miles southwest, features 880 acres and sits at 5,550 feet elevation. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures averaging 85°F and cool nights dropping into the 50s, making tent camping comfortable during summer months.
What to do
Mountain biking and hiking trails: Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers extensive trail systems for day activities. As one visitor notes, "Golden Gate Canyon SP is enormous. The options for trails are endless. Great for mountain biking or hiking enthusiasts. The park feels like it's far from the city, but the drive is easy for a weekend camping trip!" The park maintains over 35 miles of marked trails varying in difficulty.
Fishing opportunities: Bear Creek Lake Park provides access to stocked fishing areas throughout the season. "Great campground. Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding," reports Joshua H. The park requires a daily entrance fee in addition to camping fees.
Water recreation: Chatfield State Park Campground offers boating and paddleboarding options on its reservoir. A camper shared: "Great views of mountains. Just minutes south of Denver. With decent facilities and a playground for kiddos." The park sits approximately 30 miles from Brighton and charges separate vehicle entry fees.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Reverend's Ridge Campground at Golden Gate Canyon provides well-spaced campsites. One reviewer commented, "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables. Enormous amount of room."
Wildlife viewing: East Portal Campground offers frequent wildlife encounters. A camper observed, "Mule deer came through every evening right by our camper to eat grass. One morning 3 large Bull Elk and a young bull came through the valley and up through the campground." Approximately 65 miles from Brighton, this campground offers a more mountain-oriented experience.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained facilities at many parks. "The bathrooms were very clean and the showers were pay only and only with a bank card. $1.50 for a five minute shower," noted Stephanie S. Most campgrounds charge daily vehicle entrance fees ranging from $9-11 in addition to camping fees.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly on weekends. "Campground is very clean. Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs," reports Dennis G. about Reverend's Ridge. Reservations can typically be made 6 months in advance.
Limited horse facilities: True horse campgrounds near Brighton, Colorado are scarce. While some parks permit horses, dedicated equestrian campsites are limited. Most parks require you bring water for horses and follow specific trail restrictions.
Entry fee structure: Hermits Hollow Campground charges separate fees for camping and vehicle entrance. As one reviewer explained, "There is a fee upon entry. You have to pay for the nights you plan to stay and you have to pay for your vehicle to have a permit to be there." Expect to budget for both camping and daily vehicle fees.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Bear Creek Lake Park, one visitor shared: "Lots of park amenities like horse stables, archery range, swim beach, boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas." Many family-friendly parks maintain playgrounds suitable for various age groups.
Bear-proof storage: Most campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage. "Each site had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. There are plenty of trees for shade and some privacy, but you are still near other campers," notes Hannah F. Bear boxes accommodate multiple coolers and are mandatory for food storage.
Kid-friendly trails: Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir connects to gentle hiking trails. "The hike from the nearby Forsythe Canyon Trail (moderate difficulty, one tricky section 3/4 of the way) which leaves from the parking lot area. It is a great 1 mile loop that ends at the north west side of the lake," explains Daniel B. Request trail maps from rangers to find appropriate routes for children.
Tips from RVers
Early arrival recommendations: Cherry Creek State Park fills quickly during peak seasons. One RVer advises, "If you want to get into the Park, suggest you go EARLY, EARLY, EARLY in the day. Traffic backs up all the way from the Entrance on Parker Rd to the Entrance Booth on weekends and holidays. Plan on an hour OR MORE to just get to the booth." Weekday arrivals typically face less congestion.
Dump station positioning: Be aware of dump station layouts when planning your visit. One camper mentioned, "My husband said the dump site was not positioned perfectly for our camper but we were so happy they had one." Most campgrounds require specific routing to access dump stations efficiently.
Level site considerations: Golden Gate Canyon campgrounds often have uneven terrain. "We were in loop C. When we got there on Thursday night, it was a bit chilly so we were basically the only people out there tent camping. The sites are not very level so be prepared to use your blocks," reports a visitor. Bring leveling equipment for RVs at mountain campgrounds.
