Equestrian camping near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve offers various terrain options ranging from high-altitude forested sites to open valleys with panoramic mountain views. The surrounding San Luis Valley sits at 7,500 feet elevation with temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night throughout summer months. Campers should prepare for rapid weather changes including afternoon thunderstorms common from July through September.
What to do
Trail riding to alpine lakes: Paths near Purgatoire Campground provide access to several small mountain lakes suitable for day rides. "Several beautiful small lakes nearby though!" notes reviewer Marissa B., who found the sites "level and felt separated from the other sites."
Stargazing from remote sites: The isolated location at Cotton Creek Trailhead offers exceptional dark sky viewing for night photography or astronomy. "Once the wind settled, there were more stars than I've ever seen in my life. Endless views and endless stars - can't beat it!" shares Stacey F., who counted "at least ten dispersed spots off the road, CC64."
Creek access: Three spots at Cotton Creek provide direct water access for horses. This allows for cooling off during hot summer days when temperatures can reach the 90s. Reviewer Angela E. notes the challenging approach: "The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow."
What campers like
Trail proximity: Willow Creek Trail offers horse-friendly sites with immediate trail access. "Approx 15 or so dispersed camp sites along the forest road up to the parking lot for Willow Lake trail. Easy access to sites, easy access to trail head," writes Silouan A., who appreciated the restrooms available at the trailhead.
Privacy between sites: Ventana Arch Dispersed Camp provides secluded camping spots with minimal noise interference between sites. "This is the quietest campsite I've ever been to. Literally zero sounds, not even bugs!" reports Raven S., who found it "Great for peaceful getaway. Road a little rough but nothing an Outback can't handle."
Lower-elevation options: For riders seeking to avoid high-altitude camping, Sacred White Shell Mountain area provides sites at moderate elevations suitable for horses. Amanda S. notes, "This is only about 12 miles from the Great Sand Dunes National Park and also on the way the Crater Lake. There are several dispersed campsites."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many horse-friendly sites require navigating rough forest roads. At Hermit Pass OHV, reviewer Carissa G. cautions, "Your vehicle will prob need new brakes after this trip. Super beautiful but the road never eases up."
Water access limitations: Most dispersed camping areas lack water sources for horses. Pack in 5-10 gallons per horse per day during summer months, especially at sites like Huerfano State Wildlife Area where no natural water sources exist nearby.
Site variations: At Alvarado Campground, not all sites accommodate horse trailers equally. "The sites were widely spaced on the lower level. There were plenty of sites. Make sure you check your vehicle length because some of the spots were pretty small," advises Steph C.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: When bringing children to Alvarado Campground, choose sites in the 40s loop for tent camping or lower-numbered sites for trailers. Diane S. recommends: "Many of the sites in the 30s up are useless other than a van. Tent sites are not good. Very uneven pads. The 40s are much better and all mostly tents."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campers report seeing deer, elk, and various bird species at dawn and dusk. Bernie D. from Ventana Arch notes: "Beautiful scenery, so quiet. It's a mental escape."
Weather preparation: Pack both warm and cool weather clothing for children, as high-altitude camping areas experience significant temperature drops after sunset. Sites above 9,000 feet can drop below 45°F even in July and August.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: For horse trailers with living quarters, Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers suitable sites with electrical hookups that accommodate larger rigs. Lisa R. notes it's "Isolated, great views" with the benefit of being relatively close to area attractions.
Leveling challenges: Bring extra stabilizing blocks for muddy conditions, especially during spring or after rains. Jeff T. shares from Purgatoire: "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."
Access for larger trailers: Most dispersed camping areas near Great Sand Dunes can handle horse trailers up to 30 feet, but DaveAdele C. found Alvarado especially accommodating: "We easily got our 40' coach into a very level site."
