Equestrian camping near Glen Haven, Colorado offers access to diverse terrain within the Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park vicinity. The area sits at approximately 7,800 feet elevation with cool summer nights typically dropping into the 40s even during July and August. Pine and aspen forests dominate the landscape, providing a mix of shade coverage that varies significantly between campgrounds.
What to do
Trail riding access: Hermit Park Open Space connects to multiple riding trails that accommodate various skill levels. Kruger Rock Trail provides a popular route for hikers and equestrians alike. "The Kruger Rock Trailhead is inside the campground, and it is a nice hike with an amazing view of the Rockies and Estes at the top. Bring your crayons - there are two trailmarkers on the trail that you can do rubbings of," mentions a visitor to Hermits Hollow Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area provides opportunities to observe elk, mule deer, and occasionally moose. "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. It was so surreal!" reports a camper from East Portal Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several reservoirs and streams near Glen Haven provide fishing options. At North Michigan Campground, visitors appreciate the direct water access: "We were able to paddle board and fish right from our campsite, and had a wonderful fresh trout dinner," notes a reviewer.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Many equestrian campers appreciate the relative seclusion compared to more crowded national park campgrounds. "This campground is the ones that the locals go to when not in RMNP. It is in Estes but far enough away to not be inundated with tourists. It is quiet, it is roomy, it is beautiful," shares a camper from Hermits Hollow Campground.
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained campgrounds. "The bathrooms were clean too. My dog was able to cool off in the reservoir on a hike. Overall, it was a great trip we will be headed back!" reports a camper at North Michigan Campground.
Bear boxes: The secure storage for food and scented items receives positive comments. "The bear box was a good size, easy to use, and well located," notes a camper at Bobcat Campground, addressing an important safety feature for equestrian campers bringing additional supplies.
What you should know
Additional fees: Beyond camping costs, day-use fees apply at some locations. "Sites are very hard to get your unit level. Very high price for no hookups. Close to Estes Park," cautions a visitor to Bobcat Campground at Hermit Park.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans occur frequently during dry periods. "When we were there, there was a Stage 2 fire ban in place, so we couldn't have a campfire. The fire ban included the burning of wood and charcoal - using a propane stove was OK," explains a camper at Jacks Gulch Campground.
Cell service limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds have limited or no reception. "Nice and quiet. A lot of options as far as camping goes - electrical sites, walk up sites, equestrian sites, and mixed use. There were also trails all around the campsite that were accessible for bikes, or hiking. No cell service and it was glorious!" reports a Jacks Gulch visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer amenities specifically for children. "We took our 2 little girls ages 4 and 1. The views were stunning and everything was super clean. Great trails right there at the campground!" shares a visitor at East Portal Campground.
Short hikes: Look for trails appropriate for younger children near equestrian sites. "We hiked, biked and just enjoyed the view. Fishing was slow but in such a pretty place we didn't care," notes a camper at North Michigan Campground.
Wildlife education: Rangers often provide programs relevant to equestrian campers and their families. "The Moose Visitor Center was educational and interesting, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions," reports a visitor to State Forest State Park.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access to equestrian sites often involves steep, narrow roads that can be challenging for larger rigs. "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 visitor to Bobcat Campground.
Site levelness: Many equestrian-friendly sites require additional work for RV leveling. "Our site was easy to get level on but some others looked difficult," observes a Bobcat Campground visitor.
Water access: Plan for limited hookups at most equestrian campgrounds. "Water fill stations are available at the entrance to the campground. There is a $15 charge to use the dump station," notes a Bobcat Campground reviewer, highlighting additional costs RVers should anticipate when planning equestrian camping trips.
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