Dispersed camping near Gardner, Colorado offers quiet isolation in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while winters bring snow and temperatures well below freezing. The area features mixed pine forests interspersed with meadows and rocky outcroppings.
What to do
Trail riding to Kit Carson Peak: Access trails near Willow Creek Trail which provides approximately 15 dispersed camp sites along the forest road leading to the trailhead. "Easy access to sites, easy access to trail head. Restrooms also available at trailhead," notes camper Silouan A.
Stargazing in mountain darkness: The remote location of Cotton Creek Trailhead offers exceptional night sky viewing. "The sky is GORGEOUS. The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow. I've never seen so many stars!" reports Angela E.
Off-highway vehicle exploration: The rough terrain at Hermit Pass OHV area provides challenging rides for experienced drivers. "VERY ROUGH ROAD. Your vehicle will prob need new brakes after this trip. Super beautiful but the road never eases up," warns Carissa G.
What campers like
Mountain isolation: Campers appreciate the remoteness at Purgatoire Campground, which sits at high elevation. "If you're looking for a beautiful high altitude forested campground that offers solitude and great hiking, you've come to the right place!" shares Jeff T.
Spacious horse-friendly sites: Cotton Creek Trailhead provides ample room for equestrian camping setups. "There are at least ten dispersed spots off the road, CC64. They are large spots with fire rings. Three of them are on the creek," explains Stacey F.
Views and water access: Several campgrounds offer scenic vistas with creek access for horses. "The campsite is beautiful," notes Kyle T. about Huerfano State Wildlife Area, while Patrick W. describes Purgatoire as having "Incredible mountain and creek views."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many roads to horse-friendly sites require high clearance vehicles. At Hermit Pass OHV, the access route is particularly challenging. Cotton Creek Trailhead requires traveling "like 5-10mph for the last like mile" according to Jason W.
Limited services and supplies: Most dispersed camping areas near Gardner lack basic amenities. "This is a very basic and primitive campground so don't expect too much," advises Bryan P. about Purgatoire Campground. Bring all necessary water and food supplies.
Weather preparedness essential: Mountain conditions can change rapidly. "We visited in the height of mud season and it made leveling our rig a little tricky as the levelling blocks kept sinking in the soft Dyrt under the weight of our wheels," reports Jeff T. about camping at Purgatoire.
Tips for camping with families
Campground alternatives: For families wanting more amenities while visiting with horses, Alvarado Campground offers established sites. "The campground was nice, but we took our atv and the trails are very narrow, and when encountering another atv, theres really no where to get around," notes Alicia S.
Scout
