21 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State Forest State Park offers horse camping near Cowdrey, Colorado, with multiple campgrounds that accommodate tent, RV, cabin, and yurt options. While the campground data does not specifically indicate horse corrals as an amenity, the park is known for its extensive trail system accessible to equestrians. The North Michigan Campground provides electric hookups, water hookups, showers, and toilets, making it suitable for extended stays with horses. Visitors note the beautiful setting with gorgeous views, particularly at sites positioned above the reservoir with private trails leading down to the water.
Laramie River Road offers dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive horse camping experience. The area features abundant wildlife with numerous deer and moose sightings in the Aspen wetlands. The county dirt road is well-maintained and fairly wide, making it accessible for vehicles with horse trailers. Campers can only use established fire rings depending on current fire restrictions. The camping area sits at approximately 9,000 feet elevation, resulting in cold nighttime temperatures even during summer months. Despite its remote location with no cell service, rangers frequently patrol the area, and emergency call boxes are available. The closest amenities are located 10-20 miles away in the town of Walden. Horse campers near Cowdrey benefit from direct trail access and wide dirt roads suited for hauling trailers, making both locations practical base camps for multi-day equestrian rides.
"We ended up driving too far and just parking next to the lake for the night to camp. Lots of dirt trails near the lake, maybe not for camping but we showed up after driving 6 hours."
"Sites aren’t really marked/but are right next to the reservoir. No fires/water pumps."
"Great spot for car camping in Colorado except its distance from Denver. It’s a trek! Takes at least 4 hours (that’s if you’re lucky). Lots to do."
"Big Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Getting to the campground and visitors center is easy as they are both right off the highways 41 and 14, but it is quite a drive to get to, in general."
"There are campsites on both sides of the lake. On the southern side, a number are situated off the road, minimizing noise and dust."
from $28 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Options for camping in campgrounds, close to others, or more alone. Options to camp near the lake, river, or on dry land.options for large or small camping areas. Peaceful and beautiful."
"There is a camp ground near by with a porta-potty and there is a small market about 10-20 miles away."
"This was our first stop on a week long road trip from Colorado Springs to the Oregon Coast and, honestly, we could have just hung out there and saved all the miles."
"I had just done Rock Creek's drive up to dispersed near Dillon and thought that was bad, but this was worse. "
"The lake is incredible and the panoramic view is out of this world. I was fortunate to drive in right around sunset and the whole valley was lit with a glorious red light."
"I have spent many years coming to Teal lake, its always been a family favorite!"
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The campsite has two entrances - one from the west passing North Michigan Reservoir and one from the South East which is basically from Lake Agnes Trailhead."
"There are lots of great activities to participate in very close by - fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling and more!"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"I tent camped at Ranger Lakes. I was the only one tent camping among all the RV’s. I didn’t mind that the spaces were visible from each other since I was camping alone."
"Small campground next to three lakes. One lake has dried up. Beautiful Gould, CO. We also boondock camp in this area as well. Don't miss Lake Agnes. It's at the top of a mountain."
from $36 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $150 / night
Check Availability"The beautiful Kilpecker Creek runs through the camp and most of the campsites are situated right along the creek. All of the campsites have a good tent pad, fire pit and picnic table."
"It gets very cold at night if you’re near the river!"
TravelerGreat spot for car camping in Colorado except its distance from Denver. It’s a trek! Takes at least 4 hours (that’s if you’re lucky). Lots to do. Great fishing, beautiful hiking trails to a water fall, and trails for the RZR near by.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground with lots of family-friendly activities to do. They have direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River. We visited a little late in the season (August) to catch many fish, but we still had fun. We found some tailwaters below the big lakes and caught some trout on the fly rods.
This site is minutes away from an entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. We got up early and hiked a trail in RMNP and had a few moose walk right past us. It is also close by to the major lakes of the area.
They rent ATVs and lots of people bring their own horses to this campground to enjoy the many back-country trails that begin at the back of the property and go high up into the mountains.
Facilities were well kept and clean.
GuideBig Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August. It's camping at over 9,000ft elevation and requires for you to be extra prepared for snow even in the summer months, bears, mountain lions, mosquitos, aggressive horse flies, leeches, strong winds, thunder storms and altitude sickness. They do provide water which tastes fresh like newly melted snow. You can boat, fish, even hunt at some spots with a permit, hike, and swim at your own risk (can be cold, leeches, snakes). It is truly beautiful up here and the drive up the Poudre river makes it worth it. You can also spend the day rafting down the river or fishing.
LegendThree dispersed camping locations all completely booked so I chose to stay in this RV Park which is located within Rocky Mountain National park and right next to Arapahoe National Park. Very good price compared to other RV resorts and surrounded by beautiful flowers and mountains and silence. They have showers and laundry and free coffee and garbage dump, and a small country store, along with many equestrian activities for adults and kids and it's very homey feeling.
GuideAlthough this site is a no water/ electric site and next to the horses, we had a blast! Especially the kids. The site was a great size! We went horse back riding, hung out by the river, had s’mores, and even went for an ATV ride!! I was most impressed by how clean the bathrooms were, especially with the current COVID situation! Thank you Winding River Resort for keeping the place clean!
ScoutA lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV! Options for everyone from cabins, to FHU RV sites (limited and not the ideal locations, but still nice), water/electric sites and tenting areas. Even Conestoga wagons! There is horseback riding on site and we loved watching the horses run in and out each morning/evening and you just have to cross the road for a pretty hike along the Colorado River in RMNP (no dogs on the trails). We camped with our Great Dane - very dog friendly with bag stations around the park. Friendly and helpful staff, a small shop with supplies and souvenirs, a cute little petting zoo with goats, sheep, and pigs.
ScoutAfter driving for nearly 4hrs to find a spot in any of the first come first serve camp grounds up Poudre Canyon we started to head home only to pull into Pingree Park for one last cry for help... we stumbled upon Jack’s Gulch, a little hidden gem, tucked inside a cute mountain trek to the CSU campus at Pingree Park. It didn’t have any “water features” like a stream or a river but it was a quick car ride to find that. The spots were clean, noise was minimal, and there were bathrooms if you needed them. A lot of options as far as camping goes - electrical sites, walk up sites, equestrian sites, and mixed use (what I like to call a mixture of tent and RV). There were also trails all around the campsite that were accessible for bikes, or hiking. It was definitely a Father’s Day to remember. Oh yea, some coyotes at night definitely woke us up! I don’t believe they made it to the campsite but they were close 😳
GuideWe camped here in a trailer for almost a week. We were shocked at the availability of spaces given that Colorado is notoriously booked up by February.
Our space was The Overlook and it had an amazing view. The stable horses came up next to the site every morning. It is a massive site that accommodated our trailer, a 2-person tent, 2 vehicles and still had room to spare. The only downsides were no picnic table, little shade, and lots of wind up there.
We drove around to view the other sites. Many options including walk-in sites, riverside camping, and campsites with corrals for horse camping. If you have a larger trailer, avoid the lower sites. Keep to 1-5 or the Overlook for access.
There are stocked trout ponds. You have to pay an additional fee to fish in them. We bought fish food and never saw a fish. The ponds really needed to be maintained as there was a lot of weed growth.
The office is on the first floor of the condo building. Usually open until 4 pm. There is a restaurant (closed while we were there).
Showers are available for $5.
A gift shop/store is available with various small items and treats.
WiFi is available at the office and restaurant. Campsites are too far away. Couldn’t reach it with our WiFi extender either. (Normally wouldn’t want to but working sucks.)
Water for trailers is available bit a tad challenging to access simply because of sharp turns. I can’t speak to water availability for lower campsites.
Trash containers at both the lodge area and at the lower campground.
There is no dump on-site. However, there is a fee-based dump about 1.5 miles away in the Crystal Lakes Community. $10 per use with free water.
The stables are managed separately but are directly across the road. Super friendly and reasonable rates for trail rides. Our 5 & 7 year old granddaughters were able to ride their own horses and had trail riders lead them. Super nice folks!
This is open year-round (condos/cabins in winter) with tubing, skating, and X-country skiing in winter.
GuideWinding River Resort is a hidden gem. There are plenty of campsites and a few cabins. All spaces are well laid out with plenty of space between each spot. The facilities are clean and provide everything you need for a great stay.
Be sure to book a horseback ride and get to the cowboy pancake breakfast on the weekends. (Pro tip: Bring a couple eggs for the cooks to throw on the griddle while cooking your pancakes!). If you enjoy trout fishing, be sure to explore the North Fork of the Colorado River that flows through the southend of the property. If you have a disc golfer in the group, bring the discs to play a round or three on the 9-hole course throughout the campground.
Moose have a tendency to wander through the campground toward the evening and the local elk herds like to eat with the horses. There are bear in the area, so take the proper precautions with your food and cooler storage.
Winding River is close enough to Grand Lake to get out and explore for the day and you have easy access to nearly all amenities between Grand Lake and Fraser, in case you forgot something. The cabins look great, but we have not stayed in them during our visits.
Camping near Cowdrey, Colorado occurs at elevations around 8,000-9,000 feet, resulting in significant temperature fluctuations even during summer months. The Jackson County area features abundant wildlife with numerous lakes and reservoirs surrounded by aspen forests and sage flats. Overnight temperatures can drop below freezing even in July and August, requiring proper insulation and layered clothing for overnight stays.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: North Michigan Campground at State Forest State Park offers excellent wildlife observation sites. "My 4 year olds threw rocks in the reservoir, they bikes on nearby trails. The bathrooms were clean too. My dog was able to cool off in the reservoir on a hike," notes Meghan H. The park hosts over 600 moose, making it a premier location for safe wildlife photography.
Lake Agnes hiking: The alpine lake sits at 10,320 feet elevation, a 2.5-mile round-trip hike with 400 feet of elevation gain. "We stopped in the visitor center for maps and hiking recommendations. We settled on Lake Agnes. It was a steep climb but well worth it. We alternated looking at the beauty of Lake Agnes and watching the skiers hiking to the top and skiing what was left of the snow," reports B B. from North Michigan Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Buffalo Pass Dispersed area provides access to extensive mountain bike networks. "Great bike trails not very far. No bathroom or water it is dispersed. Not too hard of a road to get up either got up in a RWD Tacoma no problem," notes Toni K. Trails range from beginner-friendly paths to technical descents, with several connecting routes between camping areas.
Proximity to fishing spots: Dry Lake Campground provides easy access to well-stocked fishing areas. "We arrived in early afternoon on a Monday and despite the sign out front that said 'campground full' we found that there were 2 or 3 available sites that must have been recently vacated. We chose site 8 which was fairly spacious and private despite being close to the bathroom," shares Kristin M. The campground sits directly across from popular fishing access points.
Remote atmosphere: Bockman Campground offers quiet, open spaces with mountain views. "We absolutely loved state forest state park. We stayed in the bockman loop, with beautiful Mountain View's. Staff was friendly, rangers drove by every couple hours," shares Jenna P. The campground's lack of trees creates unobstructed views of surrounding mountains.
Clear alpine lakes: Teal Lake Group Campsite features pristine water conditions. "This campsite is a dream. The lake is incredible and the panoramic view is out of this world. I was fortunate to drive in right around sunset and the whole valley was lit with a glorious red light," writes Tarah W. The lake's higher elevation results in exceptional water clarity for swimming and paddling.
Insect populations: Walden Reservoir dispersed camping areas experience significant mosquito and ant activity. "Easy to get to. Lovely to see. Pelicans and seagulls. Flat, no trees and darned few bushes taller than sage. SO MANY BUGS," reports Kathryn B. Another camper notes: "Better for campers/cans as there isn't much privacy for tent campers. Not enough trees for bathrooms so you may want to bring a hide-able set up. SO many mosquitoes and biting ants but the sunsets are gorgeous and make it worth it."
Road conditions: Many access roads require higher clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. Seedhouse Group Site requires navigating unpaved forest roads that may become rutted. "This is a nice group site with plenty of staggered sites, and a large pavilion. Half of the sites have a fire ring and cement picnic table," notes Vincent C.
Limited services: Most campgrounds lack cell service and nearby amenities. Prepare for self-sufficiency with adequate supplies. "Better to have a hide-able set up. No fires/water pumps," advises one Walden Reservoir visitor. Plan for complete independence as the nearest supplies may be 20+ miles away.
Weather preparedness: Big Creek Lakes Campground sits at high elevation with rapid weather changes. "Big Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August. It's camping at over 9,000ft elevation and requires for you to be extra prepared for snow even in the summer months, bears, mountain lions, mosquitos, aggressive horse flies, leeches, strong winds, thunder storms and altitude sickness," warns Rosina A.
Child-friendly activities: Bring water toys and beach equipment for reservoir play areas. "We camped here July 25th-29th, 2018 with our 5 children (4-13) in our pop up camper. The sites are all HUGE, almost all are pull through and many offer beautiful lake views with trails directly from your campsite to the water," shares Sarah C. about Big Creek Lakes.
Wildlife safety protocols: Teach children proper food storage and wildlife encounter procedures. "We had hundreds of chipmunks visit us each day to clean up the kids' crumbs. We also saw antelope and deer on the drive in and several moose, elk and a coyote off the highway," notes a Big Creek Lakes visitor, highlighting the importance of proper cleanup.
Site selection strategy: Ranger Lakes Campground offers varied options for different RV types. "Nice spot. Great views. Only a third full mid week September. Water near entrance. Vault toilets. Sites well separated but limited screening between. Very Sunny. Trees are sparse and short. Hiking trails in camp. Moose along trail," reports Michael.
Hookup limitations: Most sites offer electric but limited water and sewer options. "This campground is beautiful and clean. Sites are nice and level and potable water available. If you have an RV make sure to fill your tank and the maintenance center 6 miles up the road," advises Sarah S. about Ranger Lakes Campground.
Elevation considerations: Higher elevations impact RV systems and heating requirements. "Outstanding. Unprecedented scenery in the wilderness just below 10,000 foot elevation. Short hike to multiple high altitude lakes. Glorious views from campsite. Only has electric and water hookup and the dump station was not convenient," notes Alan G. RVers should check furnace function before arrival as nighttime temperatures drop significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cowdrey, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cowdrey, CO is Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping with a 4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cowdrey, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 equestrian camping locations near Cowdrey, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
