Equestrian camping options in White River National Forest provide direct access to wilderness trails. Sites at Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground accommodate trailers up to 32 feet with corrals available for an additional fee. The area offers trail networks suitable for day rides and multi-day pack trips throughout the Flat Tops Wilderness. Most equestrian sites have water access and vault toilets with gravel roads passable by most vehicles and trailer combinations.
What to do
Explore cave systems: Access Spring Cave Trail from South Fork Campground where "Spring Cave is open from mid-April to mid-August and requires a permit from the forest service. In addition, decontamination rules must be followed to protect the bats." The trail starts at the back of the campground, and connects to longer wilderness routes.
Fish mountain streams: Catch brook and brown trout in the Williams Fork of the Colorado River at Sugarloaf Campground. "Fishing on the Williams fork is fair to good for Brook Trout with the occasional Brown Trout being caught. Pressure is generally light upstream from Sugarloaf and a bit more congested downstream where the stream is slightly larger."
Soak in hot springs: Penny Hot Springs is a short drive from Avalanche Campground. "Right next to penny hot springs, which originally brought me out. Check em out if you stay. Drive south maybe 5 mins and there's side street parking to your left you can't miss it. Popular spot so you'll see other cars."
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: The horse corrals at Trappers Lake Horse Thief Campground provide practical facilities for riders. According to reviews of nearby Avalanche Campground, campers appreciate when "the sites aren't piled on top of each other like other sites (only 6 sites total). I'm not a huge fan of campgrounds but I would definitely come back here in the future."
Direct trail access: Many campsites connect directly to wilderness trails. At Four Mile Road Dispersed, "the road up to the campsites is pretty well maintained but you do gain a good amount of elevation. The scenery is beautiful with lot of wild flowers and tall, towering trees." Sites provide convenient starting points for hikes.
Privacy between sites: Dispersed camping areas offer more seclusion. At Twin Lakes, campers report that "we saw that several groups were camping just above us and we had not heard or seen them much at all." This contrasts with developed campgrounds that sometimes have sites closer together.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly with significant temperature swings. At Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping, "it snowed/rained most of our stay, but Elbert & La Plata peaked through for some great views early morning." Pack layers and rain gear even in summer months.
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires driving unpaved roads. "The road to get in is bumpy and fun and not too long-the campground is in a valley with a gorgeous creek." High clearance vehicles are recommended for certain areas, particularly after rain.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the region, requiring proper food storage. Many campgrounds provide bear boxes at each site. Bug activity can also be intense in certain seasons, with one camper noting "the mosquitos and thunderstorms were insane."
Tips for camping with families
Bear-proof storage: Teach children about wildlife safety using provided facilities. At Avalanche Campground, "bear proof storage boxes and fire pits are available for each space." These amenities make wildlife safety more manageable with children.
Site selection for shade: Choose sites with adequate tree cover for summer trips. A visitor to Deep Creek Trailhead Camp noted that "all the spots by the river were taken, but up the canyon there were plenty and the view was amazing!" River sites tend to fill first but often provide more shade.
Elevation awareness: Allow time for acclimation when camping at higher elevations. Sites at Lakeview Campground sit at approximately 10,000 feet, where "it does get chilly at night as you are located at 10,000 ft. in elevation." Children may feel altitude effects more strongly than adults.
Tips from RVers
Site length limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds accommodate smaller to mid-sized trailers. At non-equestrian campgrounds like Four Mile Road Dispersed, "the campground at night has fantastic views of the stars" but larger rigs need to be selective about sites that will fit them.
Water planning: Many sites lack potable water connections. When camping at South Fork, visitors noted "No Potable Water" and should come prepared with filled tanks. The $20/night fee does not include water hookups, so proper planning is essential.
Turnaround space: Scout ahead when driving larger rigs into unfamiliar areas. One camper at Four Mile Road noted "once you pass the White River National Forest sign and parking lot for the babbish trail head, it's not easy to turn around unless you find a campsite." This creates challenges for RVers who need adequate space to maneuver.
