Best Equestrian Camping near Glenwood Springs, CO

Had a quick stop over here on the way to Dinosaur National Monument. No ATT phone service beyond a certain point. This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits. The road was easy no need for high clearance or 4wheel drive. Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs. Would stay again 9/10 would recommend.

Remember to pack in pack out.

My first winter camping trip in Colorado. Just south of Glenwood Springs and west of Carbondale is Sunlight Mountain Resort, an awesome little mountain with great tree skiing and untracked powder that can be found days after a storm. It sits in the western side of the White River National Forest in the Sopris Ranger District. From Glenwood or Carbondale follow directions to the resort and just about a mile before you get there you'll take a right to stay on Four Mile Rd or county road 117. Travel about 2 miles after turning and you'll come to a parking area on your left, in the winter its mainly used by cross country skiers and snowmobiles. From here we took off on foot in our winter boots down 2 miles of groomed snow covered road until you reach an intersection with a bunch of signs giving you several different options in directions and places to go. We strapped on our snow shoes and headed west up Fourmile Park- North through 16 to 24 inches of snow for an additional mile and settled at the 2nd camping spot we came to on our left. The low that night was 19 but I stayed warm most of the time until around 4 or 5 and finally had to get up and move around. The best part about the trip was we got to ski before and when we got back the bar was still open. I loved living in Glenwood Springs and choose this area for its proximity to so many awesome places, can't wait to get back.

Camped here 6/26/21 and had an awesome time. No campfires allowed. I am not convinced the coordinates were accurate, navigate to 4 mile road near glenwood springs and continue until you see Sunlight ski resort. Bear right towards 4 mile park. After about a 25 minute drive up that road, there are plenty of awesome spots for tents or RVs. They are quite spread out and appears to be plenty of them, even for arriving on a Saturday afternoon!

Road was very easy to find and was very smooth. The first couple sites on the water were already taken so we headed up further. Found a steep, secluded pull-off just past marker #6 that looked like an old off road trailhead or access road that didn't seem to be in use anymore.

The site was a good size but there wasn't a great flat option for the tent but it would be great for a van or small trailer and could easily fit 2-3.

The views were absolutely amazing which is why I'm giving 3 stars. The mosquitos and thunderstorms were insane. Shout out to the REI base camp tent holding dry and not too many bugs in the tent.

We also had the pleasure of a bunch of night riders on the first night traversing up and down the road all night which was incredibly loud. 2nd night was much quieter. I also moved the car to block the entrance to the site so people could see it was taken instead of driving up right next to us just to turn around the first night.

Overall, easy access to the site, views were stunning, easy to get to Glenwood Springs.

Edited to add that this site did have cell service

The 7 campsites at East Marvine Campground were surprisingly empty in mid-July and the neighboring Marvine Campground was only half full.  Site 1 is a pull-thru near the restrooms.

Open late-May to late-October 

First Come First Served

$20 per night +$5 for horse corrals 

50ft max RV length

The big attraction in the area seems to be the East Marvine Trail and Marvine Trail that leads into the Flat Tops Wilderness.  Very popular for pack trips.  We saw quite a few horse trailers in the area.

This campground was less than half full.  Trailhead for East Marvine Trail and Marvine Trail is not far from the campground entrance.  Both trails lead into the Flat Tops Wilderness and are popular for pack rides.  Horse corrals are available at the trailhead and nearby East Marvine Campground for an additional $5 / night.

Lost Lake Campground near Crested Butte, Colorado, is a hidden gem that combines serene alpine beauty with a peaceful camping experience. Tucked away in the Gunnison National Forest, this campground offers stunning views of wildflower-filled meadows, dense forests, and the pristine Lost Lake itself, which mirrors the surrounding peaks.

The campsites are well-maintained, spacious, and thoughtfully spaced for privacy, with some offering lakefront views. There’s a charming rustic vibe, with basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables, but no hookups. The nearby trails, including the popular Three Lakes Loop, are perfect for hiking, fishing, and soaking in the mountain scenery.

What sets Lost Lake apart is its tranquil atmosphere—especially if you’re visiting during the off-season. It’s the ideal spot to disconnect and enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty, whether you’re kayaking on the lake or simply relaxing by the campfire.

Be aware that the road to the campground is a bit rough and narrow, so it’s best suited for smaller campers or tents. Also, temperatures can drop quickly at night, so pack warm gear even in summer.

If you’re looking for a quiet retreat near Crested Butte with postcard-worthy scenery, Lost Lake Campground is hard to beat. It’s the perfect blend of solitude, recreation, and breathtaking views.

Beautiful spots but we didn’t get there early enough! Long road, some parts were pretty bumpy. We ended up at a campsite next to an electricity pole but there were plenty of other spots if you come early.

Easy drive in my sprinter van and beautiful in the fall! Highly recommend. I didn’t have cell service so just prepare for that

Showed up late on a Saturday evening, so no surprise that a majority of the sites were full. Ended up camping at the very first turn off after the parking lot. The sites were beautiful and well separated. Would highly recommend.

Additionally, I left my dogs collar and name tag on the ground at my campsite by mistake. If you end up finding it, please give me a call. Phone number is on the tag. I would happily pay shipping to have it returned. Thank you!!

There are many sites all over the place up there. Some are big enough for groups of RV's some are small, private tent spots. Some offer magicians views others are in dense vegetation along water. We found no cell reception for miles. There are easy sites next to the main gravel roads and more secluded sites off of many various "Jeep trails". No services, no running water, no electric, no cable TV, no bathrooms, no showers, no dump stations, no picnic tables, etc. It's the forest.

We camped here for two nights. It’s location was perfect for our next day Hanging Lake hike followed by a soak at Iron Mountain hot springs as both are less than an hour away from here. We found a spot that was easy enough to pull into in our Nissan Rogue. Near a small meadow but also in the woods. There was a fire pit and some trash from other campers that we cleaned up before leaving but nothing too bad.

Do not attempt to go to the location specified in winter. Instead, van camping is allowed overnight in the Sunlight Mountain Resort parking lot.

Great views, plenty of space between sites, tons of firewood. We even heard turkeys in the morning. There were about 4 spots before the road was closed. Recommend having an suv or Truck as the road gets pretty bumpy the further up you go but we made it just fine in a Dodge Durango.

Beautiful spot and very few other people around. Cute river running throughout.

The four mile road itself is a pretty well maintained dirt road that's wide enough for trailers and two cars parallel.

The camp sites are the definition of dispersed as they are quite far from each other and seemingly minimal if you're driving in. We saw three viable sites and was able to camp at the third one about 3 Miles down the road.

Really enjoyed this spot. Quick drive from Glenwood. Beautiful location.

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. It rained before we got there and there was some moisture on the tent the morning after. Make sure to follow the road to Four Mile Park and continue up the road for another 20 minutes or so. You will see a pull off to the right with a sign for the White River National Forest. Continue on to find some more campsites

Drive to the camp ground and you can keep driving to find campsites. There are sites along the creek and along the road. There is a pit toilet and it's a long road with lots of sites. 

No service