Horse camping options span throughout White River National Forest with varying facilities and trail access from Gypsum, Colorado. The region features elevations ranging from 6,500 to over 10,000 feet with significant temperature swings between day and night, particularly at higher elevations. Summer temperatures typically reach 70-85°F during day and can drop to 40-45°F overnight.
What to do
Mountain biking in Four Mile Park: Trails accommodate various skill levels with connections to longer backcountry routes. "You have to go a long way up and down Country Road 117 before you start seeing campsites. They're there. Look for a reasonably flat space and maybe a campfire ring. It's wild camping," notes VanRumschpringa at Four Mile Road Dispersed.
Fishing at Twin Lakes: The reservoir offers excellent trout fishing opportunities within 90 minutes of Gypsum. "We had a blast with this spot, arrived late at night and woke up inside an aspen grove. There is a lot of hiking trails and some cool spots to visit down by the lakes," writes Dwight R. about Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping.
Explore spring cave systems: Several cave systems open seasonally with permit requirements. "Spring Cave is open from mid-April to mid-August and requires a permit from the forest service. In addition, decontamination rules must be followed to protect the bats," according to Campground Recon at South Fork Campground.
What campers like
Riverside camping opportunities: Many sites offer direct water access for cooling off during summer months. "We were the only campers when we were there so we took a more exposed spot with river access. The toilets were clean and Larry, the camp host, was so friendly!" shares margaret G. from South Fork Campground.
Dispersed camping privacy: Less developed sites offer greater separation between campers. "Great dispersed camping, easy to get to only a short way off the main road. We arrived 4pm on a Friday and all the spots with the best views were taken. Plenty further into the woods though we had multiple options still," describes Lyds F. about Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping.
Horse-friendly facilities: Some sites cater specifically to equestrian needs with corrals. "This is the official CG for the horse crowd, however if it is empty anyone can camp there. FCFS, about 10 sites some with powder river corrals. One water spigot up at top by the single toilet," notes Greg L. about Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground.
What you should know
Fire restrictions change seasonally: During dry periods, campfires may be prohibited. "Camped here 6/26/21 and had an awesome time. No campfires allowed," reports morgan about Four Mile Road Dispersed.
Water accessibility varies: Not all sites have reliable water sources throughout the season. "The campground had a mix of RVs and tents, which makes it flexible for different setups. Sites have those tall USFS fire rings that can sometimes choke off airflow," observes Arthur Z. from Lakeview Campground.
Wildlife precautions necessary: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "Hands down one of my favorite campgrounds! Located between a bunch of Aspen trees. Lockers are available to keep your food and toiletries away from bears - though I haven't seen any in the area yet," shares Maria E. from North Fork Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose established campgrounds: Sites with toilets and water access better serve families with children. "We came across South Fork Campground based on The Dyrt's recommendation. It was so beautiful! We were on Campsite #11. It came with a firepit, picnic table, and a front row view of a beautiful stream with gorgeous views," explains Julia K.
Watch for ticks during summer months: Tick activity increases during warmer seasons, especially in grassy areas. "The biggest complaint was the multiple ticks we discovered while sitting around the camp fire. Make sure to keep a close eye for ticks," warns Spencer B. from Deep Creek Trailhead Camp.
Prepare for temperature fluctuations: Nights can get cold even during summer months. "In mid September the nights and mornings can be cold, when I woke up at 6am the temperature was 34 degrees F," shares Erik S. about Avalanche campground.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions limit access: Many roads leading to equestrian camping sites near Gypsum require higher clearance vehicles. "Would recommend 4wd for the last part of the drive to the sites," advises Lilliana S. about Four Mile Road Dispersed.
Site selection for larger rigs: Equestrian-focused sites accommodate larger trailers but not all spots are level. "We have a short 5th wheel (26') and we found only a couple of sites we could fit in. I would say that 32' is about it," notes Doug W. regarding Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground.
Arrive early for prime spots: Popular equestrian camping locations fill quickly during peak season. "All the river camp spots were taken when we arrived at 5pm, so we continued up the canyon and found a spot with an established fire ring," reports Spencer B. about Deep Creek Trailhead Camp.
