Horse camping options near Dolores, Colorado can be found within the San Juan National Forest at elevations ranging from 6,900 to over 10,000 feet. The area features ponderosa pine forests, mountain meadows, and access to several waterways including the Dolores River. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 85°F during the day, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Thunder Road Dispersed camping provides direct trail access for bikers. "There aren't many places where you can camp in a cool pine tree forest, hop on your mtb or dirt bike, and ride right from camp. Thunder Trails are it!" according to one visitor at Thunder Road Dispersed.
Fishing opportunities: McPhee Recreation Complex serves as an excellent base for fishing at McPhee Reservoir. "13.50. - 36.00 per site. 21 first come spacious, wooded sites with or W/O electric. Peaceful and quiet. Easy access. Clean restrooms. 5 water stations. Friendly hosts. Mountain biking trails galore! Hiking, fishing, swimming nearby," notes one camper at McPhee Recreation Complex.
Hiking access: Transfer Campground connects to multiple trail systems. "Great campsite in the aspens. Access point for good hikes. One harder hike down to the river and an easier wheelchair accessible hike to an overlook and a view of the peaks," shares a visitor to Transfer Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Target Tree Campground offers well-spaced campsites. "Nice camp in a shady mountain forest," mentions one camper, while another notes, "Really nice big camping spots, pit toilets not too far of a walk, firewood available from hosts, convenient location."
Clean facilities: Lower Hermosa Campground maintains excellent bathrooms. "A very nice campground with first-come, first-served sites for $20 a night. The internet reception ranges from okay to excellent, depending on the site. The pit toilets are impeccable – they really couldn't be cleaner," writes one visitor at Lower Hermosa Campground.
Versatile accommodation options: Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort accommodates various camping styles. "Perfect spot. As a solo older female car/tent camping this place is great. I've never felt safer sleeping in my tent. Everything was nice and clean and I ate at the restaurant my 1st night. Good food and drinks," reports one camper at Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort.
What you should know
Limited water availability: Many dispersed sites require bringing your own water. At Cherry Creek Gravel Lot, one visitor notes, "Only free place near Durango in the winter. We called and asked the BLM & Forest Service. Easy access, lots of space. Bumpy access road and highway noise."
Weather considerations: High elevation sites experience cold nights even in summer. At Little Molas Lake, "6/28/22 - 7/12/22: This was a nice retreat for us. It is a very popular place on the weekend, but during the week it is much quieter. Most of the weekend traffic is heading to the trailhead for hiking or biking. Elevation is about 10,300 and posed a problem for our generator that caused severe spark-plug fouling."
Road conditions: Access to some horse-friendly dispersed camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. At Anvil Dispersed Campground, a visitor reports, "4 miles outside Silverton, CO. Several options on both side of the creek. Easy, flat road into the area. Two bars LTE for AT&T. Decent space to turn ariuns before getting to last site."
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak timing: For quieter experiences with children, avoid weekends. "This was a nice retreat for us. It is a very popular place on the weekend, but during the week it is much quieter," notes a camper at Little Molas Lake Campground.
Accessible trail options: Look for wheelchair-friendly paths. "Access point for good hikes. One harder hike down to the river and an easier wheelchair accessible hike to an overlook and a view of the peaks," mentions a visitor to Transfer Campground.
Dog-friendly areas: Some campgrounds offer off-leash opportunities. At Echo Basin, one visitor noted, "We came on July 4th, and although many activities were going on, this place was quite like a mouse by Sunday. This place has everything: a massive field for dogs to play off-leash (they must be on in the park), a great restaurant, laundry, propane, a swimming pool, and a massive amount of outdoor activities."
Tips from RVers
Generator considerations: High elevations affect generator performance. "Elevation is about 10,300 and posed a problem for our generator that caused severe spark-plug fouling. But, re-jetting the carburetor from a #61 to #58 solved the problem," shares an RVer at Little Molas Lake Campground.
Site size and access: La Plata County Fairgrounds offers convenient in-town RV parking. "What a find in the middle of Durango. Yes it is dusty and really there is nothing cute about it but you can't beat the location. We had access to the trails by the river. There are only 6 spots with water and 30 or 50 amp electric. It was $28 for a night," reports one RVer.
Road quality for large rigs: Check reviews for specific road condition reports. "Good road quality, hard packed gravel, river right next to the sites, 14 day camp limit," notes a visitor to Anvil Dispersed Campground, making it a potential option for equestrian campers with appropriate rigs.
