Matt B.
Traveler
TravelerMueller State Park Campground
busy busy
too close to colorado springs. works a a early season test trip but it to close too the front range so always overcrowded. bonus: go to cripple creek opposed to a campfire.
Equestrian Camping near Cripple Creek, CO
20 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
None of the campgrounds near Cripple Creek, Colorado specifically feature horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities according to the provided data. The Cripple Creek KOA, rated 4.76/5 stars, accommodates various camping styles including tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping, but does not offer horse-specific amenities. Similarly, Mueller State Park Campground allows multiple accommodation types and permits pets, but lacks dedicated horse facilities. The campground data indicates "NO horse-corral" for all listed properties.
Equestrians planning trips to this region should consider bringing portable corral panels or high-line equipment as alternatives. The area offers several trails suitable for horseback riding, particularly in nearby national forest lands where dispersed camping may provide more flexibility for horse owners. Many campers note the beautiful mountain scenery and hiking opportunities, with Mueller State Park featuring extensive trail networks that could potentially accommodate horseback riding, though specific equestrian trail designations aren't mentioned in the data. Visitors should contact campgrounds directly before arrival to confirm current horse policies and determine if there are designated areas where horses can be safely secured overnight.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Cripple Creek (20)
1. Mueller State Park Campground
"too close to colorado springs. works a a early season test trip but it to close too the front range so always overcrowded. bonus: go to cripple creek opposed to a campfire."
"Great hiking trails of all abilities. Great visitor center. Fishing only available w/ .5-2.5 mile hike into back country. Close to lots of activities in Cripple Creek Woodland Park etc."
from $28 - $270 / night
Check Availability2. Cripple Creek KOA
"Convenient location to Cripple Creek CO. Mountain views. Situated on meadow hillside. Hiking trails, full hookups, fire rings with grills, picnic tables. Level sites with many pull thrus."
"Hummingbirds buzzed around all day. Close to Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak"
3. The Meadows Campground — Cheyenne Mountain State Park
"The tent only sites are walk-in and $18…and by walk-in…between 10-100ft from the parking area depending on the site."
"Cheyenne Mountan State Park is remarkably close to Colorado Springs, which makes it perfect for a quick getaway…. if you can score reservations. This park fills up fast!"
from $28 - $120 / night
Check Availability4. Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA
"Beautiful views and a great walking path for my dog. I could have gone for miles. People are super friendly and it’s clean! Close to hiking. Well worth the visit"
"The site we got had our door facing another camper's door and our picnic tables were next to eachother, so we didn't spend much time hanging out outside."
5. Spillway Campground
"This is a wonderful campground at the end of the road near the dam and right next to the Platte. This is a wonderful spot for fly fishing, and can get busy sharing the river with day visitors."
"There is a trail above the camp that will take you up to some beautiful views through a meadow. Right in the camp are over 5 established bouldering routes and even more in the hill above camp."
from $24 / night
Check Availability6. Colorado Campground
"Manitou Lake on the edge of the campground is a popular fishing spot, and there's a trail around the lake."
"Colorado campground is situated outside of Woodland Park (10 minute drive) and right next to Manitou lake. "
from $28 - $38 / night
Check Availability7. Peregrine Pines FamCamp
"Campground Review Note: This is a military campground only, on the grounds of the US Air Force Academy just north of Colorado Springs, CO. "
"Downtown Colorado Springs is minutes away and close to attractions. Plus you can take advantage of on base shopping and more."
8. Matukat Road Dispersed Camping
"* Most sites appeared to be just off the road so you will see others driving by, and some sites have close by neighbors so keep that in mind if you're looking for something more private.
- Livestock"
"Rock fire pits, wood around. No water, garbage, nor toilets. Cool temps, road in is rough go slow. Nice shady trees. First few spots you encounter left, then right seem ok."
9. Round Mountain
"On my last trip to Colorado I had crossed paths with this campground and vowed that this time I would make it a stop on my journey."
"It's a quick drive from Colorado Springs and tons of trails! Usually pretty quiet except for holiday weekends."
from $24 / night
Check Availability10. Historic Triple B Ranch
"Just outside woodland park. The drive in has incredible views of pikes peak. The ranch is close to a mile down a dirt road just off the highway it feels private and secluded."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 8 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 1 hr 28 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 57 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 20 min from Boulder, CO
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Cripple Creek, CO
6 Photos of 20 Cripple Creek Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Cripple Creek, CO
277 Reviews of 20 Cripple Creek Campgrounds
- Judy F.
ScoutCripple Creek KOA
Beautiful scenery
Convenient location to Cripple Creek CO. Mountain views. Situated on meadow hillside. Hiking trails, full hookups, fire rings with grills, picnic tables. Level sites with many pull thrus. Helpful owners. Sparkling bathrooms. Individual showers. Laundry rooms. Hummingbirds everywhere.
Joel R.
LegendCripple Creek KOA
Camping on a mountain side
They say this is the world’s highest KoA. It’s in the side of a mountain, css as moving loops stretch up the hill, bathroom and shower are at the bottom of the hill! But they do have pizza and will deliver to your site. It was pretty dusty when we were there. Sites are not jammed together, and the hillside does allow for views over other campsites. Hummingbirds buzzed around all day. Close to Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak
Sarah F.
RangerCripple Creek KOA
Thin Air- Breathe Deep
The air is thin up here- real thin. That also means that it’s pure, clean blissfully light oxygen so breathe deep and enjoy it.
The spots are a bit closer than I would like but the campground is very well kept and the beautiful mountain scenery makes you forget you have neighbors!
Great hiking nearby and the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor are full of old mining history!
Jennifer L.
GuideMueller State Park Campground
Peace in the Ponderosa Forest
Beautiful campground. Not a bad site in the whole park. Very clean and good space between sites. We stayed in a 26' travel trailer. Electric hookups available. Sites are all paved back-in or pull thru and pretty level. Great level gravel areas to pitch tent as well at each site. This is bear country. No bear boxes available, so bring your own or lock in car. Great hiking trails of all abilities. Great visitor center. Fishing only available w/ .5-2.5 mile hike into back country. Close to lots of activities in Cripple Creek Woodland Park etc.
Mary S.LegendColorado Campground
Great location for exploring Colorado Springs and the area
This Pike National Forest campground is run by Rocky Mountain Recreation which means you'll pay a $10 transaction fee if you make a reservation on recreation.gov. It looks like some sites are strictly walk-up. Check recreation.gov to see what's available, but you can just show up if there are available sites, pay at the self-pay station, and avoid the $10 transaction fee on recreation.gov.
Every site has a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets (rather fragrant as you walk by because of the vent pipes) and trash dumpsters are conveniently located throughout the campground as is potable water. There are no bear-proof lockers but locking up your food is a prudent move.
There are mostly back in sites but some pull through sites. Most of the pull through sites are partially protected from the road by a few tall pines and large rocks, but the pull through curve may be tight for some RVs. There are a few double sites (with double charge) if you need more space.
Manitou Lake on the edge of the campground is a popular fishing spot, and there's a trail around the lake.
Our site (#45) was rather close to the road, but the road noise was not bad throughout the park. Sites 40 through 44 are on a small loop and are probably the nicest sites even with a bit of road noise; these sites are near the trail to the lake.
In my opinion, there are two things that make this campground stand out: 1) The sites are large and not on top of each other. This campground could have twice as many sites, but it's nice that it doesn't. 2) It's a great location because you're close to Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, US Air Force Academy, Cripple Creek (only if you're into gambling), lots of hiking trails...and on and on. It's close to Colorado Springs and even closer to Woodland Park. If you want craft breweries and restaurants, you'll find plenty. We enjoyed being close to a larger city after being in lots of small towns. We loved the inexpensive food at Uchenna (Ethiopian and Mediterranean), Taste of Jerusalem, and Azada Mexican as well as craft beer (Fossil Craft Beer Company and Phantom Canyon Brewing Company with ginger wheat ale, Belgian ale aged on cherries, hazelnut coffee stout, coconut/chocolate porter, and on and on) in Colorado Springs. Beer is $3 during a 3 to 6 pm happy hour at Phantom Canyon....yes!
This campground is only open between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.
B M.LegendMueller State Park Campground
Beautiful well kept park near Pikes Peak
We stayed in site # 43 and had electric and filled with water there it was a nice site. It was a pull thru site Conifer ridge loop. I had 2 bars with Verizon, nice restrooms, showers & a laundry room.
The BEST sites in our loop were #40 & 41 big pull thru sites facing Pikes Peak. Site # 36 is great to it's a back in site. Nice hikes though out the park it's well maintained. Pets are not allowed on the trails & they do have rangers hiking looking for rule breakers.
Went to Mike's barbecue had a great meal & ask for the candied bacon he doesn't advertise it, sells out quickly. Also went to McGinty's slow service but a good dinner.
Pikes Peak is close & what a beautiful Mountain. We saw lots of wildlife, wildflowers, very winding road with switchbacks going up and the summit at the top. It was cold up there had a cloud come in & it covered the peak. They sell a shirt Got Oxygen we bought one it's true. Elevation is 14,115 Crystal reservoir was beautiful. Had some snow patches up higher. They hit a limit & part way up you may have to stop & take a bus the rest of the way (it's free) but we lucked out and got to drive the entire way up. Coming down they will stop you at a 1/2 way check point & check your breaks are not overheated. If they are you have to wait a 1/2 hour I believe to go back down. Drive in Manual and you will be fine.
Garden of the Gods isn't far that's beautiful too & the drive there is nice. Manitou Springs is a nice little town and Cripple Creek the other direction is really a cool town. springs
Natalie B.LegendIndian Creek Equestrian Campground
Beautiful!
This campground has a equestrian area and a tent camping area. The tent camping is to the right after you enter, there are two tent loops with bathrooms. Water spigots next to the bathroom. There are a few trails here, some are horse trails. Overall a beautiful spot with some shade!
Tj H.ScoutHaggards RV Campground
Easy access and quiet
My grandson and I stayed there in June for 4 days in a 34ft travel trailer in a pull thru long enough not to have to unhook. The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site. About 30 min from Pueblo and 30 from Canon City on Hwy 50 just east of Hwy 115 Full hookup and good WiFi Also had 30 OTA channels. Beautiful sunsets of the mountains Hwy 50 close by but traffic was not loud enough to disturb us Horses on the property as well as a swimming pool and very friendly staff Very nice experience and only 40 min from Colorado Springs or Royal Gorge.
Guide to Cripple Creek
Equestrian trails and camping opportunities exist throughout the Pike National Forest surrounding Cripple Creek, Colorado, though dedicated horse facilities are limited. Located at 9,494 feet elevation, this historic mining town serves as a gateway to rugged mountain terrain with significant temperature variations even in summer months. Camping options range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites on forest service land where horse owners can bring portable corrals.
What to do
Fishing access: 5-acre Manitou Lake is accessible from Colorado Campground, offering stocked trout fishing opportunities in a scenic mountain setting. "Manitou Lake Recreation Area [is] easy [to] hike to for fishing, and we always get at least one fish on the line here!" reports Amanda M.
Hiking trail networks: Mueller State Park offers extensive hiking throughout its trails system. "Each campsite feels personal and is gorgeous. The end of the campground feeds into many trailheads, which are great for exploring," notes Alexis B. The park's trail system provides varied difficulty levels suitable for different abilities.
OHV and equestrian routes: Round Mountain area features multiple trails for off-highway vehicles and equestrian use. "ORV trails nearby are fantastic," states Loni P. The trails connect to broader Pike National Forest routes where horseback riding is permitted on most non-motorized and motorized trails.
Dispersed camping with rock features: The Matukat Road Dispersed Camping area provides free sites with natural obstacles perfect for horse high-lines. "There are plenty of spots within 20 min of the start of the road. The area is surrounded by young aspens, mountain flowers, and rock outcroppings," according to Morgan J., making it suitable for equestrians seeking more privacy.
What campers like
Privacy and spacing between sites: Campers frequently mention the well-designed layout at Mueller State Park Campground. "All sites looked well taken care of. Nice large site with level gravel tent pad, large table, and nice fire pit. Nearby sites seemed to be a good distance away," says Amber J.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to observe local fauna. "We saw some deer that came through our site. Just a real nice relaxing place!" notes Brian F. about Mueller State Park, while Chris P. mentions that "cattle roam freely throughout the property and you can hear coyotes at dusk and dawn" at Matukat Road.
Clean facilities despite remote locations: The Spillway Campground receives praise for maintenance. "Beautiful area, great fishing and birding, excellent campground hosts! Beautiful canyon... This is a popular area, but the reservation system does not allow overcrowding," states Ruth L. This attention to cleanliness extends to vault toilets and common areas.
Temperature considerations: The high elevation affects camping comfort. "Got below freezing so be ready for the cold," advises Bruce K. about Mueller State Park, highlighting the need for proper gear even in summer months.
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary by location and season: Check current fire regulations before arrival. "Fire ban, so no fire—pizza delivery to our campsite was a plus!" notes Glenna L. about Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA, showing how campers adapt to restrictions.
Water access is limited at many sites: Non-developed areas require bringing all water needs. At Matukat Road, Brandon notes, "The only thing missing here is a water feature," while many campgrounds list "NO drinking-water" among features.
Noise factors affect site selection: Train tracks, highways, and OHV use create noise at certain locations. "The only downside was the routinely travelled train tracks with mandatory horns," Jeffrey C. mentions about Peregrine Pines FamCamp.
Elevation affects physical exertion: The high altitude (7,500-10,000 feet) throughout the region requires acclimatization. The Cripple Creek KOA sits at approximately 10,000 feet, and as one camper noted, it's "nestled on the back side of the mountain very high altitude and short of breath."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers designated play areas. "The Meadows is one of the loops...all level spots here, full hook-up. The park offers many wonderful hiking trails...and a frisbee golf course," says Lynn A.
Kid-friendly rock exploration: Multiple sites feature natural climbing opportunities. At Matukat Road, Frank C. shares: "Camped right underneath a few rocks and kid absolutely loved to climb rocks even with thin air in high altitude."
Weather preparation for children: Temperature swings require extra clothing layers. "In April the trees were just budding so there wasn't a ton of concealment or cover from your neighbors provided by the leafless shrubbery," Dave V. notes about Colorado Campground, indicating how seasonal changes affect comfort.
Activity options during fire bans: When campfires aren't permitted, have alternatives ready. The Royal Gorge KOA offers activities like "go-karting, mini-golf and giant slide" according to Kelly P., providing entertainment when fire restrictions are in place.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements vary by campground: Some sites require significant adjustment. "Sites are a mix of dirt and gravel and as with much of the desert, you should expect it to be very dusty," notes Jason F. about Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA.
Road conditions limit access: Many forest service roads aren't suitable for larger rigs. At Spillway Campground, Amanda M. advises, "This would be a challenge for large campers to get to, and archways through the rock on the road in make for a cool drive but limits what will make it down the road."
Water pressure considerations: At developed sites with hookups, be prepared for strong water flow. "Water pressure here is really strong so make sure you have a water pressure regulator handy," recommends Anthony B. about Peregrine Pines.
Seasonal closures affect planning: Most higher elevation campgrounds close by October. The Cripple Creek KOA operates from "May 22 to Oct 4," requiring advance planning for fall trips when many sites begin shutting down for winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Cripple Creek, CO?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cripple Creek, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cripple Creek, CO is Mueller State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 61 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Cripple Creek, CO?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cripple Creek, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Cripple Creek, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring