26 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Indian Creek Equestrian Campground offers specialized facilities for horse camping in the Pike National Forest near Highlands Ranch. The campground features corrals designed specifically for horses, ample trailer parking, and dedicated equestrian campsites that accommodate both riders and their animals. Restroom facilities are available on-site, though campers should note there are no electric hookups or showers. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables. The campground typically operates seasonally from May 23 to September 7, making it ideal for summer trail riding adventures. Sites are reservable, which is recommended during peak season when equestrian campers often fill the campground. Water is available for both horses and campers, though the campground lacks sewer or sanitary dump facilities.
Riders access numerous bridle trails directly from the campground, connecting to the extensive Pike National Forest trail system that offers varied terrain and scenic mountain views. The trails accommodate both day rides and longer excursions, with routes suitable for various experience levels. Trailer parking is designed for easy access to the trailheads, allowing equestrians to saddle up right from their campsites. When planning a visit, equestrians should bring their own feed and secure storage containers, as the forest environment requires proper food management. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this area, so riders should be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms during summer months. The campground's location at higher elevation provides cooler temperatures than nearby Highlands Ranch, making it a refreshing retreat for both horses and riders during hot summer days.
"Very near relatives in Highlands Ranch, CO. It is a cool place to visit and relax. Even better if you want to fish and/or boat!!! Very great for day visits."
"Stay here a couple times a year, great amenities and lots to do with a swim beach, shore line, horses, boat ramp and model planes."
from $36 - $200 / night
Check Availability"It’s we’ll thought out with lots of activity areas like, mountain bike trail, shooting area, off leash dog area, model airfield, equestrian trails, lake and hiking trails!"
"I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."
from $28 - $432 / night
Check Availability"Close proximity to the highway. Clean level spots. Geared more towards RV camping. Pros: great views of the foothills."
"So much to do in this little area-lakes, trails, horses. Very close to red rocks. This is still in town so great for beginners"
"This campground has a equestrian area and a tent camping area. The tent camping is to the right after you enter, there are two tent loops with bathrooms. Water spigots next to the bathroom."
"Lots of beautiful trails, close to Denver and very peaceful. Bring your ponies, its an equestrian campground!"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Each of them have a parking area right along the road with a fire ring a short distance away surrounded by awesome rock outcroppings."
"A large number of established roadside dispersed camping spots to choose from. All spots have metal fire rings, so campfires are allowed even with Stage 1 fire restrictions in place."
"Lots of hikers, mtn bikers, and horses. The camp host did check in and was very helpful and friendly. Good option close to Denver."
"There is a small trail you can hike. Pet friendly with a leash. I visited in off season for the trail, the picture is from the snow left on the drive into the sites."
from $7 - $22 / night
Check Availability"area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"
"Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Easy drive and a half-mile hike with moderate increase in elevation from parking to tent pads, numbered 1-5."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."
"Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability"The pit, very clean are at base, and there is a porta-potty by site 14, far enough away from 14 to not be a problem."
"We brought out the bike and did some trails to find the perfect spot and since we went in the middle of the week we had our choice of spot."
from $28 / night
Check Availability
LegendHave been here several times over the years. Very near relatives in Highlands Ranch, CO. It is a cool place to visit and relax. Even better if you want to fish and/or boat!!! Very great for day visits.
LegendThis campground has a equestrian area and a tent camping area. The tent camping is to the right after you enter, there are two tent loops with bathrooms. Water spigots next to the bathroom. There are a few trails here, some are horse trails. Overall a beautiful spot with some shade!
GuideColorado campground is situated outside of Woodland Park (10 minute drive) and right next to Manitou lake. This is a great area central to the Pikes Peak wilderness area so many trails are nearby and activities while still being close to civilization if you forget something or choose to eat-out. The CG itself is large, but the sites are well spaced apart...it is a primitive CG with picnic table, fire-pit and gravel pull through or back-in spots. There are water spigots, vault toilets and garbage cans equally dispersed throughout. In the summer they have an educational series also on the weekends of various nature/wildlife "seminars" that are great for the kids in their small amphitheater, although i don't know how frequent they are scheduled. As others have stated its a short walk to the lake for fishing and canoeing if you choose. The CG is well maintained and hosts are friendly.
LegendCAMPGROUND REVIEW: COLORADO CAMPGROUND PIKE NATIONAL FOREST
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/colorado-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70684
Colorado Campground is one of several campgrounds less than 10 miles north of the city of Woodland Park off Route 67 in the Pike National Forest.
Situated at 7800 feet elevation, even summer nights get cool. Nearby 5 acre Manitou Lake is a trail walk away. You can toss your canoe or kayak in, but unless you are simply trout fishing, it’s tiny size doesn’t offer much variation.
Numerous foot trails lead into the National Forest, offering wonderfully quiet hikes and exploration.
There are 81 sites available, but some are adjacent to highway 67, so periodic road noise will be heard. The ponderosa pines assist in muffling highway noise.
Neighboring sites are visible across the entire campground, but they are situated in such a way that you are not directly on top of each other.
The back loop sites are larger and set deeper (Site 19, 20,21, 22, 23) which are my choice. Sites can be secured on www.recreation.gov. There are double sites which garner double fees. At the time of this review, sites are $23.00 nightly (a bit pricey for no showers or modern facilities). When there during the week, not including the host and groundskeeper, only four sites were filled. Most sites were reserved for weekends and upcoming Labor Day holiday.
No RV/Campers over 36 ft permitted. Parking pads are gravel, a few are pull-through. Sites are non-electric with no hookups…no showers Water spigots, metal trash containers and pit latrines are spaced out through the campground. Each site has one stationary picnic table and a fire pit. Most sites appeared fairly level. No specific tent pad locations.
With the towering ponderosa pines, there is ample shade.
Plenty of trails permit mountain biking as well as the paved centennial bike path that runs along highway 67 from Woodland Park 15 miles north…that you can walk, in-line, cycle and even ebike.
You have plenty of local activities to keep you busy, including the Red Rocks a couple miles south…or drive east on Rt 24 to Pikes Peak, or further into Manitou Springs for the Incline, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Garden of the gods and more!
Just six miles south into Woodland Park offers every food or shopping option.
All in all, a nice, clean campground in a great location.
GuideMy folks bought property you can ride to Indian Creek from. Love this area!!! Lots of beautiful trails, close to Denver and very peaceful. Bring your ponies, its an equestrian campground!
TravelerSite 5 was a great spot for a bigger group. It was nice to be tucked away in the corner with no groups behind us or next to us. There were other campers near by but it felt pretty private. The weather was great. We didn’t make it to the gross reservoir but it was nice to have the option of a good hike near by. It is very important that you have a high clearance car to drive on the road. It’s a lot like off roading on some parts. I would go back!
GuideClose proximity to the highway. Clean level spots. Geared more towards RV camping. Pros: great views of the foothills. Lots of park amenities like horse stables, archery range, swim beach, boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas. Con: Orange glow of Home Depot sign at night and no shade during the day. Your camping reservation (strongly recommended) includes park admission.
GuideGreat location within Colorado's Mueller State Park. Easy access to trails, visitor center, and scenic drives. Nice large site with level gravel tent pad, large table, and nice fire pit. Nearby sites seemed to be a good distance away.
GuideAlthough it was a quick overnight trip for us, don’t let that be you! It’s we’ll thought out with lots of activity areas like, mountain bike trail, shooting area, off leash dog area, model airfield, equestrian trails, lake and hiking trails! It’s a 4200 acre park with 850 acre reservoir. It’s a destination, really!
Indian Creek Equestrian Campground provides specialized facilities for horse riders in Pike National Forest at 39.39 degrees latitude and 105.10 degrees longitude. The campground sits at a higher elevation than nearby Highlands Ranch, creating cooler temperatures during summer months. Trail access connects directly to the Pike National Forest trail system with routes for different experience levels.
Trail exploration on horseback: Multiple trails connect directly from Indian Creek Equestrian Campground to the broader Pike National Forest trail system. "Beautiful scenery and close to Denver. The drive in is easy, following a paved road most of the way. Great spot for car camping. The Indian Creek trail system is ideal for mountain biking or running, with access to the Colorado Trail running through it as well," notes Steph A.
Mountain biking: Paved and dirt trails around Chatfield State Park Campground accommodate cyclists of various skill levels. "Chatfield is such a great park; I've spent so much time biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, spending time with family; picnics areas are even great to have lunch," says Jenny P., who visits weekly.
Fishing and boating: Several parks near Highlands Ranch offer water recreation opportunities. "Chatfield is popular for fishing and boating. So many people come out for the weekend so they can get up early with the fish," explains Hayley K. The larger reservoirs provide more extensive water activities than the smaller lakes in the area.
Peaceful sites with natural barriers: Many equestrian campers appreciate the strategic placement of sites. "Very pretty! We camped on the last weekend of the season (Sept 27th). It was $22 a night at that time. You pay via a drop box with cash and there's no change available," explains Savanna M. about Indian Creek.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive reviews across multiple locations. "If you want to get away from the city but aren't quite able to make it to the mountains...this is the spot for you! Fishing, biking, hiking, and even a dog park! The bathrooms were in excellent condition. There are hot showers (that take quarters), running water, and even a laundry room," writes Hayley K. about Chatfield State Park.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds provide features that make camping with children easier. "There are 4 general loops and one group camping loop. The bathrooms were in excellent condition. There are hot showers (that take quarters), running water, and even a laundry room. The shower house itself was heated, which was appreciated in the middle of the 30 degree night," notes Hayley K.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campsites fill quickly during peak season. "We visited sites 17 and 19 in the Spruce Loop (sites 11-19, all hike-in up to 1/2 mile @ Staunton) Before I begin my review of the sites, I'll tell you that this campground is very clean, bathrooms clean, campsites clean and quiet," writes K R. about Staunton State Park Campground.
Weather preparedness: The higher elevation campgrounds experience significant temperature drops at night, even in summer. "We went in June and July. Check the weather. We had very cold weather in both June and July, weather hit the low 30's," cautions K R.
Water access: Water availability varies by campground, requiring different planning approaches. "One issue I noticed is that the water spigots are at the base as well and not at or near the sites - 1/2 mile from the farthest site, Site 19. We had to carry up jugs and refill at night," explains K R.
Kid-friendly activities: Horse campgrounds often provide additional recreation options beyond riding. "This was a great place to camp. Lots of space between sites, electric. Wooded and scenic," shares Henry K. about Reverend's Ridge Campground.
Accessibility considerations: Some parks offer accessibility features for families with special needs. "I've spent so much time biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, spending time with family; picnics areas are even great to have lunch. The dog park is by far the best. Off leash- so much room; well taken care of and big lake for the dogs to swim," explains Jenny P.
Space management: Select sites that accommodate larger family groups with appropriate boundaries. "The back loop sites are larger and set deeper (Site 19, 20,21, 22, 23) which are my choice. Sites can be secured on www.recreation.gov. There are double sites which garner double fees," advises Dave V. about Colorado Campground.
Hookup limitations: Most equestrian sites have limited or no hookups, requiring self-contained operation. "Enormous amount of room. Saturday night was very busy and noisy all around with campers and traffic, but Sunday was quite peaceful in comparison. The campground road is easy to access and drive as it is paved and well maintained, and sites are clean and easy to get in and out of," notes Amanda M.
Site dimensions: Trailer configurations require specific pad dimensions for proper setup. "Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs. Mostly level, fire rings, and very large metal picnic tables," explains Dennis G.
Access roads: Navigating horse trailers requires knowledge of road conditions. "The road up can be a bit breathtaking, but it can be done! Golden Gate Canyon SP is absolutely gorgeous! We loved the experience at the park, the trails are great and the views are wonderful," says Minette and Ron G.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Highlands Ranch, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Highlands Ranch, CO is Chatfield State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 79 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Highlands Ranch, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 equestrian camping locations near Highlands Ranch, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
