Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Clifton is the way to go. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
$5 - $10 / night
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on the GMUG National Forests. Please observe the guidelines on selecting a dispersed camping site on our forest. For comprehensive information on dispersed camping opportunities refer to the dispersed camping guidelines for the GMUG National Forest.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd576017.pdf
$10 - $20 / night
Traveler
Easy to find with Google maps. Plenty of open space. 15min off 70.
Dirt road, a bit bumpy, but we easily pulled our 21ft Micro Minnie
and it was doable for almost any vehicle. We didn't go to far up into the sites so I can't speak to further in. Rolled in at midnight and was still simple to find in the dark.
TravelerApple map directions are spot on. Lots of room - I chose to go up a rutted road a ways, for privacy. There was one camper at the flat bottom. Check weather for rain chance if you don’t have 4x4.
GuideThis was a beautiful place to camp. There were a few places along the road you could stop and camp. We stayed at the farthest site out because there were other campers at the other sites. All sites could fit more that one camper if needed.
Beautiful sunsets and sunrises at this location. The road leaving up was doable for our low clearance Winnebago solis.
Scout
Very easy to get to via the 139. The drive in locations are level and the sites are easy to reach with a camper van.
However, what surprised us was the amount of empty gun ammunition laying around on the campsite. As a European this might be more confronting than for a USA citizen, but it made us feel a bit uncomfortable. The sound of people doing target practice nearby also didn't help. Furthermore there was some burnt couches and chairs dumped on site 1 which contributed to the site feeling a bit sketchy.
Overall, we hade a fine overnight stay.
ScoutPulled in around 10pm and followed up the rutted road to a campsite. There were some folks camped on the lower lot, but being on top of the hill gave great morning views. Definitely recommend for a pitstop from Denver to Zion.
Go right at the sign for the range after ~4 miles off 70 and some rutted gravel roads. You can pull off there, or we drove up a bit (prob wouldn't recommend if you're in a sedan). Fire rings were available, but it was quite windy and we got there late.
TravelerLong road with lots of options like the other reviews say. We drove in at 10 pm and there were at least 7 other people staying on the road. Road has lots of ruts and some of the pull off areas are pretty rutted, too. We weren't too sure if our van could handle those, so we had to pick one that was a little smoother. Perk, is that we both had really good service (Verizon)!
GuideQuiet area for a quick stop overnight. 3 pull through spots great for a camper or smaller RV plus a couple of back in spots with rock fire rings. Near town and close to i70.
Note: there are several coyotes in the area. Be sure to keep an eye on your pets.
GuideIf you have ATVs, dirt bikes, horses, etc. this is a great place for you. It’s just 4 miles off of I-70 but still secluded. It is a designated OHV area so no worries about people stopping you from ripping around and exploring.
That said - I’m a quiet camper and prefer to avoid OHV areas calling them Obnoxiously High-noise Vehicle areas. I’m kidding, obviously. Seriously, everyone enjoys the outdoors in their own way and I don’t begrudge anyone their enjoyment. I took the chance and it was very quiet while I was there. Only one couple other than me that I’m aware of.
The weather was mild in mid-April during my stay - got to about 70 during the day and around 40 at night. It was windy during the day but it is a very open space and it is western Colorado. When the wind died down, the mosquitoes came out and they were persistent. I hiked around and they weren’t just at my campsite. There is a water treatment facility in the area and just down from the main camping is a treatment pond so I’m guessing that’s the culprit.
The road in is unpaved once you leave the small town but very easy. I base those sorts of claims off of the VW Jetta Scale - the vehicle I had for 8 years before my current vehicle. There are a few low creeks crossings but the beds are small and both were dry when I came through. Even if they had water, I still would have crossed if I were still in my Jetta. The roads were washboarded so don’t bring the nice china.
The pull offs are plentiful and large. Most could hold a few trailers or several vehicles and some have fire rings. I did not have a fire because the fire danger was too high (ALWAYS CHECK BEFORE HAVING A FIRE). The road is a loop so just follow it around until you find the spot you want.
The space is wide open and surrounded by 360 views of mountains. Sunset and Sunrise were great but - for you photographers - the light changes really fast so scout the compositions you want ahead of time.
No wildlife that I was aware of aside from birds and our mosquito friends. I didn’t hear coyotes, I didn’t even see deer tracks. Just horse and tire tracks.
Oh, on the way in there was a sign that said “Private Property, No Trespassing” and it looked like it was for the road going in; however, the other signs revealed that it was for the area around the water treatment plant. There isn’t a lot of signage, just one saying it’s an OHV area and one saying it’s a Limited Use area. Other signs are just to protect the sensitive areas.
TravelerThe road was smooth coming in. I parked right below the marked spot because the road got a little more rough to get up there. But there is plenty of dispersed camping before and after the marked spot.
GuideEntrance is via 139 just before the 8 mile marker, you have to drive over a cattle grate and road is gravel. We were in a 28ft RV and the first 3 pullouts were very accessible, last one (furthest from the 139) was a little sketchy to reach at 10pm - would recommend for a smaller rv / 4x4 as there were a couple of large pot holes. We relied on Google maps satellite view to guide parking / finding pullouts at night.
No facilities I could see but there where 5rvs & caravans parked overnight. Pretty view over distance mountains & mesas at sunrise.
One pile of illegally dumped rubbish present else fairly clean/pristine.
Legend
This area is called Fluffle Campground, and the center is a large Group Are with Equestrian corral also. There are a total of 25 sites but 9 of them are in the so called group area complex. These sites are large and roomy and good for RVs and TTs. However they are close to I70 and some will have freeway noise depending on the site. One toilet is at the group areA. No dumpsters, no water, no RV dump. Cell signal is very strong. Sites all are reserved and paid for online. No FCFS but sort of a hybrid if FCFS and online pay for sites as most are open during the week. Likely alot of OHVs on weekends. Sites are $20/$10 senior with an $8 reservation online fee. 7 day camping limit
TravelerTurn left right before mile marker 8 on 139. Plenty of big, open pull-offs with wide open views of the area including Highline Lake at certain spots. Came late on a weeknight and only saw one other vehicle. Minimal noise from highway. Awesome!
ScoutWe towed a 35 FT 5th wheel heading west on 105 until we discovered the perfect campsite by turning south at the intersection with 108. The road was very rough but doable by moving along very slowly.
Our site was hidden by trees off a short dirt drive which wasn’t too bad. There was plenty of space for us to turn around, and a fire pit had been constructed of large rocks (with a resident chipmunk hanging out among them).
We loved being surrounded by tall trees on one side and having a long distance view across the meadow on the other side, watching storm clouds approaching every day. We were far enough from the road that we barely heard any traffic passing. However, the sound of cattle lowing was frequent, and there was evidence of their presence all over the ground! One bull approached and stood there bellowing at the camper before finally moving along, and another morning we looked outside to see several cows munching on the remains of our campfire. Apparently they like to eat ashes and charcoal for the minerals because it happened twice!
We camped there 6 nights and hated to leave. Our only reservations were driving on the long bumpy roads and cattle manure being everywhere. Otherwise, it was the best boondocking place we’ve stayed because of the scenery and remoteness. It was very quiet except for the cattle lowing.
We rode our bikes down 108 one day and discovered that it was way too rough to drive with our dually pickup. Another day we rode all the way down 105 and then back on 100 which is Land’s End Road. There are lots more dispersed campsites further down 105, but many have huge potholes turning into them. Some are located next to reservoirs and have lovely views, but we were happy with our site because we didn’t have to drive that far to reach it. If you had a smaller rig, it would be worth trying those places.
GuideWe spent two weeks near vela resevoir. No fish but lots of mushrooms. The first trees are inoxicating. We are disappointed in the virtual take over by atvs. There are only 4 hiking trails dedicated for hiking. The atvs are allowed everywhere and even sig s stating no motor vehicles are ignored. They ruin meadows, roads, boat ramps. Noisy and stinky. We had to Bushwack to get quiet. It rained alot but we love rain.
Legend
Great BLM campground at higher cool elevation, 8400 elv. 2.8 miles of graded washboard gravel County road from end of pavement. Lots of aspen trees here. Friendly Host on site. Clean vault toilets, 13 sites, $10/$5 senior, 14d limit. All sites are first come, no reservations. Sites are mostly back in and not real big for larger TTs or RVs. Two group sites and a nice large picnic area loop sometimes used for overflow camping. Limited cell signal for Verizon, Att, but no TMobile. No trash and although normally water is available, it was not working in Aug 2021 due to drought. Update Aug 2024 visit..water system is working.
GuideIt’s absolutely beautiful here. But don’t do what I did and go here in March. The spring must have leaked all the mud on to the road. Because it was bad. But it was great.
ScoutGreat spot! Clean! Lots of room! The other sites are pretty spaced out. There are toilets and a water faucet near our site. Rained on us a bit the first day so the name definitely fits! 4x4 would help get to the sites! Especially on muddy days!
LegendMud springs is a small campground tucked away on top of a national monument. To enter the monument, there is a fee, but if you are going to mud springs you can tell them that and not pay the park entrance fee. It's up on glade park but kind of off the beat and path. The road was wet from recent rain and a small stream flowed down the washboard surface. The park itself is small but nice. Quiet. A bit muddy when it rains. We saw deer in the morning. We had a nice tent pad and firerings. Room for hammocks. It's a good place with pit toilets. But it's quiet. We did have a couple things walk through our site, we weren't sure what they were but it put our dog on high alert. One had a bell so that was strange. The other we aren't sure of but our dog watched as whatever it was walked past the tent. There weren't many people there so it probably wasn't another camper but some sort of critter. There is also a fresh spring that you can collect water from I think. We looked at it but didn't opt to collect any water. Lots of trees though which is nice. It seems to rain in July there, although they go through severe droughts and then all of a sudden, rain for two days. But both times we've gone in July, it has rained.
Horse camping in Colorado offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With various campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you'll find plenty of options to suit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clifton, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clifton, CO is Pyramid Rock Camp with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clifton, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Clifton, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
