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Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir accommodates horses through 20 designated camping sites spread across a rugged terrain requiring 4WD vehicle access. Located approximately 45 minutes from Boulder and Erie, the campground offers primitive sites with fire rings and picnic tables but no dedicated horse corrals or pens. Campers must bring their own portable corrals or use highlines for securing horses overnight. The Forest Service road leading to the campsites features rough, uneven terrain with deep ruts that makes trailer access challenging - several reviewers note that high-clearance vehicles are absolutely necessary. Most campsites fill quickly on summer weekends, with some visitors reporting difficulties finding available spots after 5pm on Fridays during peak season.
Access to riding trails connects directly from the campground, with routes extending around Gross Reservoir and connecting to the Forsythe Canyon Trail network. The trail system offers moderate difficulty terrain appropriate for experienced trail horses, though some sections near the water feature steep drop-offs requiring caution. Water access for horses is available at certain points along the shoreline, though swimming is prohibited in the reservoir for both humans and animals. Horse owners must pack in all feed and water supplies as no resources are available on site. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system in place. Many equestrians recommend arriving mid-week or early Friday morning to secure suitable sites that can accommodate both camping equipment and horse containment systems.
"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"It was nice to be tucked away in the corner with no groups behind us or next to us. There were other campers near by but it felt pretty private. The weather was great."
"The Gross Resevoir outside Boulder is a great place for people to go for some recreation just outside the city. People commonly drop in a paddleboard or kayak."
"This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
"Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Stay here a couple times a year, great amenities and lots to do with a swim beach, shore line, horses, boat ramp and model planes."
"Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability"It’s we’ll thought out with lots of activity areas like, mountain bike trail, shooting area, off leash dog area, model airfield, equestrian trails, lake and hiking trails!"
"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability"Close proximity to the highway. Clean level spots. Geared more towards RV camping. Pros: great views of the foothills."
"So much to do in this little area-lakes, trails, horses. Very close to red rocks. This is still in town so great for beginners"
"This campground has all the privacy you would expect yet provides easy access to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountian National Forest. The Laramie County Staff that were on site were kind and helpful."
"It would be nice if the county could put water in, there are two places to fill containers/rvs-one right by the entrance and another at the entrance to Bobcat Gulch."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Our space was large enough to accommodate our 20 ft travel trailer with our truck next to it, still leaving plenty of room for the picnic table and a chair circle around the fire."
"The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, with ample space, and easy access to the sugarloaf mountain trail. The road is in poor shape but a 2wd suv with decent clearance should be fine."
"You definitely need to know where you’re going with this one, as the location on here isn’t really even close."
"Walking distance to vault toilets. Some nice foresty hikes between Aspen Meadows and Reverend's Ridge. We could see some other campsites but didn't feel too squished."
"This site is surrounded by pine trees, aspens and boulders. Parking is a bit tight and the some of the sites pretty steep. Dude's Fishing Hole is within walking distance."
from $28 / night
Check Availability
LegendThis 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!
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.
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!
TravelerSite 5 was a great spot for a bigger group. It was nice to be tucked away in the corner with no groups behind us or next to us. There were other campers near by but it felt pretty private. The weather was great. We didn’t make it to the gross reservoir but it was nice to have the option of a good hike near by. It is very important that you have a high clearance car to drive on the road. It’s a lot like off roading on some parts. I would go back!
GuideMy folks bought property you can ride to Indian Creek from. Love this area!!! Lots of beautiful trails, close to Denver and very peaceful. Bring your ponies, its an equestrian campground!
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.
GuideThis is a great park. I camped in late July. With the exception of a few rain showers, the weather was great. This campground has all the privacy you would expect yet provides easy access to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountian National Forest. The Laramie County Staff that were on site were kind and helpful. I even had the chance to see some elk walk through while picking up firewood at the office. There are miles of trails within the park if you choose not to venture out to the National Forest. I will 100% be staying at this park again! Group sites and equestrian sites are available too.
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 😳
Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir offers equestrian access across 20 designated campsites located approximately 45 minutes from Erie, Colorado. The campground sits at an elevation of 7,600 feet within Roosevelt National Forest, creating varied terrain with pine and aspen groves. Most camping areas require high-clearance vehicles due to the rugged forest service roads with significant ruts and uneven surfaces throughout the access routes.
Mountain biking on connecting trails: Trails from Golden Gate Canyon State Park offer moderate to challenging routes that connect to wider trail systems. "The park has great trails for hiking and mountain biking. There is also a high elevation lake as well as fantastic views of the continental divide," notes Mike M. from Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Kayaking with proper permits: Gross Reservoir allows non-motorized boating with specific requirements. "You can only launch your boat at the boat launch on the southeast side of the reservoir that is monitored by a ranger. He requires you to have a life vest, whistle, and your name written on your boat," explains Karl G. from Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir.
Scenic drive on Peak to Peak Byway: Access northern campgrounds via this historic route with mountain vistas. "It is very convenient from the main highway (which happens to be part of the Peak to Peak scenic byway- a FANTASTIC drive!)," shares Sara S. about Peaceful Valley Campground.
Spacious campsites with privacy: Many campers value the well-separated sites at certain campgrounds. "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you to situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables. Enormous amount of room," reports Dennis G. about Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Natural wildlife encounters: Morning and evening animal sightings enhance the camping experience. "Mule deer came through every evening right by our camper to eat grass. One morning 3 large Bull Elk and a young bull came through the valley and up through the campground," describes Jennifer G. from East Portal Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies away from city lights provide excellent night viewing. "While this campground is minutes from the city and seconds from a highway, at night you feel like you are in a quiet, mountain campsite with stars to gaze for days," shares Kandisa S. at Indian Paintbrush Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "No cell service and it was glorious! But if we did need it, about a mile down the road we picked it back up," notes Jennifer G. about East Portal Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "Given that this is so close to boulder, a ton of people come here. We tried to drive in Friday night and all the campsites were full so some kind people let us share theirs. I'd suggest getting their early to get a good spot!" advises Gillian S. from Winiger Ridge.
Construction noise concerns: Before booking, check for reservoir construction updates. "We camped Sunday night and there is a Mine or Quarry on the other side of the 'lake' and they worked non stop for 24 hours, which means non stop noise," warns melissa M. from Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer built-in entertainment for children. "This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to. Great for families with little ones," recommends Meghan H. from Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Geocaching opportunities: Built-in adventure hunting keeps kids engaged. "There is a geocache very near to the campground right by a hiking trail—my boys enjoyed marking it off their list. I could watch them walk to it from the site," mentions Jennifer G. about East Portal.
Educational wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer close but safe wildlife encounters. "The wild life was beautiful, the facilities were clean, and the staff was friendly and helpful! It was a pretty quiet stay and even the weekend groups of campers were tame and mild. We saw tons of elk and visit the Rocky Mountain national park everyday since its about 5 minutes away!" shares Megan L. from Hermits Hollow Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Come prepared with leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "The sites are not very level so be prepared to use your blocks. When we where there, there were bear in the campground," advises Rich M. about Reverend's Ridge.
Dump station positions: Some facilities have awkward dump station layouts. "My husband said the dump site was not positioned perfectly for our camper but we were so happy they had one," notes Jennifer G. about East Portal Campground.
Electric hookup options: Several campgrounds offer various levels of electrical service. "Campground is very clean. Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs," reports Dennis G. from Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Erie, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Erie, CO is Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Erie, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 equestrian camping locations near Erie, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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