Equestrian Camping near Estes Park, CO

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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Kruger Equestrian Campground in Hermit Park Open Space accommodates horses in the Loveland area, providing access to trails in the Estes Park region. The campground offers reservable sites for tent, RV, and cabin camping between April and October. Larimer County manages this equestrian-specific camping area with convenient facilities for riders exploring the Rocky Mountain foothills. The campground features electric hookups, water access, and designated areas for horse trailers. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings where permitted. The campground layout allows horse owners to keep their animals close to their camping accommodations while maintaining proper containment. Campers should note that alcohol is not permitted at this particular equestrian campground.

Located approximately 7 miles from downtown Estes Park, the equestrian campground connects to multiple trail systems suitable for horseback riding throughout Hermit Park's 1,362 acres. Horse-friendly trails feature varied terrain from meadows to forested paths with mountain views. Riders can access connecting routes toward Rocky Mountain National Park, though park-specific regulations apply when entering national park boundaries. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with spring often bringing muddy sections after snowmelt. Horse owners must bring their own feed and water containers as natural water sources may be limited or seasonal. Reservation requirements include specifying horse camping needs when booking to ensure appropriate site assignment. The granite-based soil throughout the area provides solid footing for horses in most conditions, though some steeper sections may become slippery after rainfall.

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Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Estes Park (36)

Filters Tent only RV Dispersed Cabin Glamping Pets Equestrian

1. East Portal Campground at Estes Park
4.5(40)3mi from Estes Park63 sitesRVs, Tents
"Estes Park Campground at East Portal is a short drive away from both RMNP and the city of Estes Park, so you are nearby everything."

"Just south of Estes Park, this small organized campground was perfect for our first trip of the season. The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site."
from $45 - $80 / night
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2. Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
4.5(29)4mi from Estes Park42 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping
"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."

"Very conveniently located, only a short drive into Estes Park. Lots of trails for hiking and biking in the park. Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring."
from $45 / night
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3. Bobcat Campground — Hermit Park
4.3(7)4mi from Estes Park39 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins
"Just south of Estes Park, CO and ~30 minutes to rocky mountain national park. This county park is a hidden gem. "

"The bear box was a good size, easy to use, and well located. Restrooms were a short walk away. Our site was easy to get level on but some others looked difficult."
from $45 / night
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4. Winding River Resort
4.8(20)17mi from Estes ParkRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping
"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. "

"Three 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."
from $40 - $60 / night
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5. Granite Gulch Campground — Hermit Park Open Space
4.5(2)4mi from Estes Park5 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins
"There is a short drive over a tall hill to a valkey with 3 camp grounds. Hermits hollow, Bob cat and kruger equestrian . Hermits hollow is better for small rigs and tents."
from $45 / night
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6. Hermit Park Cabins
5.0(1)4mi from Estes Park13 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins
"Hermit Park is a hidden gem in Estes park,while the RMNP campgrounds fill up everyday ,you can still find great camp sites and cabins at Hermit park."
from $145 / night
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7. Peaceful Valley
4.0(8)16mi from Estes Park16 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins
"Stayed here overnight for some hiking in the nearby foothills."

"Stumbled upon this small, nice campground simple because we liked the name :) It is very convenient from the main highway (which happens to be part of the Peak to Peak scenic byway- a FANTASTIC drive!"
from $29 - $58 / night
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8. Jacks Gulch - **CLOSED FOR SEASON**
4.2(6)19mi from Estes Park3 sitesRVs, Tents
"After 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"

"Well off the beaten path. We were afraid of it being full, so we arrived around 930am on a Saturday, there were plenty of spots to choose from, and several still available by the end of the day."
from $42 - $206 / night
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9. Moraine Loop Campground
4.9(7)20mi from Estes ParkRVs, Tents, Cabins
"Busy campground, however views from some spaces were epic as well as the easy access to the walking trail and all the day use areas."

"Restrooms were available closeby and there were plenty of places to ride bikes and relax with downtown Estes a short drive away."
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10. bockman Campground — State Forest State Park
4.6(18)27mi from Estes Park54 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping
"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
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Drive Time

47 min from Boulder, CO
55 min from Fort Collins, CO
59 min from Greeley, CO
1 hr 15 min from Denver, CO

Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Estes Park, CO

20 Photos of 36 Estes Park Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Estes Park, CO

353 Reviews of 36 Estes Park Campgrounds

David L.
Traveler
May. 22, 2022
Granite Gulch Campground — Hermit Park Open Space
You feel like your camping.
You must first stop at the base to check in this is where very friedly people checked us in explained the bear behavior and bear safty. The site have bear boxes. We then paid the 9 dollar a day use fee . When we reserved we had already paid 43 dollars a day for dry camp. This is my only reason for 4 stars instead of 5. There is a short drive over a tall hill to a valkey with 3 camp grounds. Hermits hollow, Bob cat and kruger equestrian . Hermits hollow is better for small rigs and tents. Some sites are not level but all are nice. Bob cat is better for your midsize rigs and seems a bit more managable. Kruger equestrian is for hourse trailers. There is a great hike up to the top of kruger rock thats not to hard. Your not far from Estes Park a tourist town that has shops food and fishing.
Mike T.
Guide
Nov. 29, 2022
Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
Great Site Easy Access
This 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.
Amanda M.
Legend
Aug. 5, 2018
East Portal Campground at Estes Park
GREAT campground right outside Rocky Mountain National Park
We stayed at Estes Park Campground at East Portal when we visited Rocky Mountain National Park this past July 2018. At first I was disappointed that we could not Moraine Valley or Aspen Grove campgrounds within RMNP, but I am SO GLAD we ended up staying at Estes Park Campground at East Portal! While it is a private campground and is more expensive than a State Park, National Park, Forest Service or BLM campground ($35 for a standard tent site without hookups…it increases with equipment hookups), I think it was well worth the extra money.

Estes Park Campground at East Portal is a short drive away from both RMNP and the city of Estes Park, so you are nearby everything. The camp hosts were extremely friendly, and shockingly, while there was a fire ban in place inside RMNP and outside the park near the Grand Lake area, campfires WERE allowed at Estes Park Campground at East Portal, so long as they were small and contained within the fire ring (which did have a grate for cooking!). The hosts at Estes Park Campground at East Portal had firewood for sale, and even dropped it off for us at our campsite! They also had ice for sale.

The sites are not extremely private, but are all surrounded by tall, thin trees. The trees are perfect for hammocks, so if you have a hammock, bring one! Also, the trees would be useful for handing extra tarps if a thunderstorm was to pass through the area; we had tarps and bungee cords and ropes at the ready in case a storm came. We were lucky, a HUGE storm had rolled through the night before we arrived, and another started just as we had finished packing up the car to leave Estes Park.

Each campsite has a newly build, raised tent pad to set your tent up on - the management is extremely strict that campers MUST place their tents only on the designated tent pad. I did not have a problem with that, as the tent pad is nice and flat, and has some compacted sandy soil which helps keep the dirt out of your tent. The sites are separated by thin logs placed on the ground.

WARNING: You ARE in bear country, so be bear safe and use the shared bear bins available in the campground! Our party had two adjacent campsites, so we were able to share the shared bear bin amongst just our own party. The neighbor on the other side of us had a bear bin, and it didn’t appear that he had to share his with if his neighbors. Try to lock all of your food and toiletries inside the food locker - they are large, and we have always been able to fit our big cooler into locker. If you do have to leave a cooler in the car, I was once told by a ranger in Yosemite NP that bears can recognize coolers when peering into car windows - he suggested putting put a towel and gear over your coolers when keeping them in the car overnight in bear territory.

The best part about this campground is that it had hot FREE and clean showers!!!! As a California girl who’s used to the extreme drought conditions, having a hot free shower available was absolute heaven while camping. There was also a big farm sink outside the bathrooms for dish washing and water bladder filling - it was extremely convenient.

There is only one trash receptacle area in the campground, up towards the entrance near the playground. Even though the campground is fairly small, we were lazy and kept our trash in the cars at night, and dropped it off in the morning when we were headed out to RMNP. There is also a water spigot near the garbage bins - it was a good reminder that we hadn’t filled up our water bladders for a day of hiking.

Estes Park Campground at East Portal is located at the very end of a road, so it is nice and quiet, without noise pollution from traffic. The campground is only about 20 minutes away from Moraine Park inside RMNP. It was easy to get to and from the NP, where we went each day to hike and search for moose.

We found moose at Sprague Lake, around dusk! A momma moose and her yearling twins came down from the wooded hills to graze on the water plants growing in the shallow lake. They were pretty unconcerned by the crowd of people watching them, but it’s important to still give them their space, as they are very large, wild animals (ESPECIALLY during mating season, and when a momma is with her young babies). The moose were truly an amazing site to see, nobody in my party from California had ever seen a moose before this trip to Colorado.

The camp hosts said moose and elk will occasionally make an appearance at the Estes Park Campground at East Portal. We did not see either while at camp, but we frequently deer and fawns running through the woods directly behind the campground.

WARNING: in the woods behind the campground there is a NO TRESPASSING zone where there are piles of chopped, dead trees - those tree piles contain the remains of the trees that were infected by the pine beetle epidemic that has killed so many trees in the area. The piles will be burned in the winter and should not be touched or disturbed.

CAMPSITE SPECS

Fees: $35/night

Plumbed Toilets: Yes

Drinking Water: Yes

Showers: Yes (no coins needed!!)

Picnic Table: Yes

Firepit: Yes

Cooking Grates: Yes

Shade: Yes

Cell Service: Yes

Animal Bins/Food Lockers: Yes (shared)

Trash: Yes
Jessica H.
Scout
Jun. 15, 2016
East Portal Campground at Estes Park
Small, clean, convenient
Just south of Estes Park, this small organized campground was perfect for our first trip of the season. The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall. The camp store was tiny, but had a few things we needed and super friendly. And the best was that the campground was just steps away from a trailhead into the National Forest. We hiked about 4.5 miles roundtrip to Sprague Lake.
Brian B.
Guide
Jul. 18, 2016
East Portal Campground at Estes Park
East Portal RV camping
Stayed a Saturday night at the Estes Park East Portal campground. We brought out 22ft RV and it fit the site perfectly. Anything larger will be difficult to navigate. The park is very conveniently located near Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. They have nice sites although some are small and very close to one another. They have clean bathrooms with showers and even have a playground. We had no cell service nor is there any wifi. We took the east portal trail which is a beautiful hike and goes near the reservoir. Nice place to camp!
Hannah F.
Guide
Aug. 19, 2020
Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
Best camping near RMNP
Stayed here during our visit to RMNP and it was perfect! Very conveniently located, only a short drive into Estes Park. Lots of trails for hiking and biking in the park. Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. There are plenty of trees for shade and some privacy, but you are still near other campers. You must pay for the day pass each day you camp, but there is a water fill up station which is nice. The park roads are not paved but AWD isn’t really necessary. Would definitely stay here again when in Estes Park.
P
Pat
Scout
Jan. 14, 2021
Bobcat Campground — Hermit Park
Expensive camping.
Sites are very hard to get your unit level. Very high price for no hookups. Close to Estes Park.
Julia B.
Guide
Jul. 18, 2016
East Portal Campground at Estes Park
Great location!
The campground was decent. Some of the spots were quite "cozy". We lucked out with a nice roomy spot with a few trees. The best spots are A42 and 1-3. The bathrooms were well kept with nice showers. The camp hosts were very friendly. The best part of this campground is that you can hike into Rocky Mountain Park from the campground and there is a nice reservoir within easy walking distance. Close to Estes Park, but far enough away to actually feel like you are camping!
Ken B.
Traveler
Oct. 10, 2025
Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park
Nice campground
The sites are spacious and far enough apart. Not much for views but the place was clean and the staff very welcoming. Close to the park and t-shirt shopping in Estes Park.

Guide to Estes Park

Equestrian camping near Estes Park, Colorado offers direct access to multiple trail networks throughout the region. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of approximately 7,500 feet, this area experiences warm summer days and cool nights, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from July through September. Most horseback riding trails remain open from April through October, depending on snowpack conditions.

What to Do

Trail riding at Hermit Park: The equestrian-friendly trails feature varied terrain suitable for different skill levels. "Great Hiking and Views, we watched the fireworks for 4th of July in Estes from one of the trails," notes a visitor at Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park.

Visit the Moose Visitor Center: Located about 1 hour from Estes Park, this educational center tracks local moose sightings. "According to the staff at the Moose Visitor Center, there are only about 1,000 moose in the entire state of Colorado," explains a camper who stayed at North Michigan Campground — State Forest State Park.

Fishing access: Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer easy water access. "We were able to paddle board and fish right from our campsite, and had a wonderful fresh trout dinner," shares one visitor about North Michigan Campground.

What Campers Like

Privacy between sites: Horse campers appreciate thoughtfully designed spaces. "The sites aren't sitting on top of each other, and some spots feel relatively secluded," reports a visitor to Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The foothills provide natural habitat for large mammals. "Moose and black bear apparently frequent but haven't caused any problems. This is our 3rd stay here, and one of our favorites," writes a camper at Bobcat Campground — Hermit Park.

Bear boxes at campsites: Most equestrian sites include secure storage. "Each campsite had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. There are plenty of trees for shade and some privacy, but you are still near other campers," notes a visitor to Hermits Hollow Campground.

What You Should Know

Additional daily use fee: Beyond camping fees, expect a daily entrance charge. "Campsites average prices, but they add an entrance fee to the park for each day on top of the fee," explains a camper at Hermits Hollow Campground.

Limited level sites: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger trailers. "Sites are very hard to get your unit level. Very high price for no hookups," reports a visitor to North Michigan Campground — State Forest State Park.

Dump station fees: Some facilities charge for dumping services. "They do charge an additional $15 to use the dump station. That felt like a rip off considering what we already paid to stay here with no services," notes a camper at Bobcat Campground.

Tips for Camping with Families

Kid-friendly activities: Many equestrian campgrounds offer alternative recreation options. "The kids could ride bikes in trails and throw rocks in the water. Hiking was fun. Beautiful views. Bathrooms close and super clean," shares a visitor at North Michigan Campground — State Forest State Park.

Animal interaction opportunities: Some facilities offer petting zoos and guided rides. "There's a wonderful petting zoo area, playground, basketball courts and much more. They offer all sorts of activities such as horseback riding, ice cream social, chuckwagon breakfast, square dancing," explains a visitor to Winding River Resort.

Bring bug spray: Insects can be prevalent near water sources and meadows. "Bring bug spray!" warns a camper at North Michigan Campground.

Tips from RVers

Road condition awareness: Access roads to equestrian sites may present challenges. "The road in is a bit narrow so if you have a trailer/RV over 30-35 feet, it'll be tight. With that being said, I pulled my 30 foot trailer with no problems.... just go slow," advises a camper at North Michigan Campground.

Water access locations: Not all loops have convenient water sources. "There is no water directly in this loop of the campground so make sure you fill up near the cabins before driving up," notes a visitor to North Michigan Campground.

RV site selection: Choose locations based on rig size and needs. "Access in our pop up was easy (a tad bumpy in spots), but I think some of turns and narrow roads might be tricky for bigger trailers," shares a camper at Bobcat Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Estes Park, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Estes Park, CO is East Portal Campground at Estes Park with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Estes Park, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 36 equestrian camping locations near Estes Park, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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Equestrian Camping near Estes Park, CO

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Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Estes Park (36)

1. East Portal Campground at Estes Park

2. Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park

3. Bobcat Campground — Hermit Park

4. Winding River Resort

5. Granite Gulch Campground — Hermit Park Open Space

6. Hermit Park Cabins

7. Peaceful Valley

8. Jacks Gulch - **CLOSED FOR SEASON**

9. Moraine Loop Campground

10. bockman Campground — State Forest State Park

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Drive Time

Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Estes Park, CO

20 Photos of 36 Estes Park Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Estes Park, CO

353 Reviews of 36 Estes Park Campgrounds

You feel like your camping.

Great Site Easy Access

GREAT campground right outside Rocky Mountain National Park

Small, clean, convenient

East Portal RV camping

Best camping near RMNP

Expensive camping.

Great location!

Nice campground