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Equestrian Camping near Hillside, CO

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    Multiple equestrian camping options exist near Hillside, Colorado, though specific horse facilities are limited. Alvarado Campground, located at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the San Isabel National Forest, accommodates horses but does not offer dedicated horse corrals. The campground features 45 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. While some sites can accommodate horse trailers, particularly in the lower loop where sites are larger and more recently updated, campers should choose their sites carefully as the upper sites are in varying states of repair. Guests must bring their own portable corrals or highlines for containing horses. The campground won't accommodate fifth wheels, only horse trailers and RVs up to about 30 feet.

    Several dispersed camping areas near Hillside provide alternative options for equestrian camping, including Cotton Creek Trailhead and Hermit Pass OHV areas. These free sites offer more flexibility for horse camping but lack amenities such as water or toilets. Both locations provide access to trail systems suitable for horseback riding, though riders should note that Hermit Pass features very rough roads that require high-clearance vehicles. Cotton Creek Trailhead offers at least ten dispersed spots with fire rings, three of which are situated on the creek. The road to Cotton Creek is rocky and rough, requiring vehicles with decent clearance. Willow Creek Trail also offers dispersed camping opportunities at the base of Kit Carson peak with approximately 15 sites along the forest road leading to the trailhead, providing easy access for horses and riders to mountain trails.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Hillside (19)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Alvarado Campground

      4.4(18)13mi from Hillside51 sitesRVs, Tents

      "I absolutely love this area of Colorado. It's breathtaking no matter which direction you look. Decent campground that was a bit too big for my taste."

      "There are several hiking trails nearby. The vault toilets were right by us and we didn’t have any issues with smell, and they were the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen."

      from $30 - $60 / night

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      2. Royal Gorge-Canon City KOA

      3.9(18)22mi from HillsideRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Beautiful views and a great walking path for my dog. I could have gone for miles. People are super friendly and it’s clean! Close to hiking. Well worth the visit"

      "The site we got had our door facing another camper's door and our picnic tables were next to eachother, so we didn't spend much time hanging out outside."

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      3. Cotton Creek Trailhead

      4.3(3)13mi from HillsideRVs, Tents

      "Don’t follow the “major trail” signs, just find the side road this spot is on and drive up and you’ll find it. You will have to travel like 5-10mph for the last like mile. High clearance not required"

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      4. Hermit Pass OHV

      3.0(1)10mi from HillsideTents
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      5. Grape Creek - Temple Canyon Park

      3.3(4)19mi from HillsideRVs, Tents
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      6. Willow Creek Trail

      5.0(1)19mi from HillsideRVs, Tents

      "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. Restrooms also available at trailhead."

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      7. Mueller State Park Campground

      4.6(61)49mi from Hillside126 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This Colorado state park brings visitors year-round for all types of recreation. We have traveled here several times, both tent camping and in our camper."

      "By far my favorite campground in Colorado. Sites all have great views and are paved. The park is clean and rangers are always around checking in. Close to town and great hikes. Can’t wait to go back!"

      from $28 - $270 / night

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      8. Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge

      5.0(1)22mi from HillsideTents
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      9. Arkansas Point Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park

      4.3(39)48mi from Hillside87 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This was first camping trip staying in a Colorado State park and it was great! We had an electric only back-in site next to the bathhouse which was clean and had 4 separate bathrooms with showers."

      "We were visiting a friend in Pueblo and this place was close by. (Downtown Pueblo has a really nice riverwalk. Found a free museum that honored Medal of Honor recipients.)"

      from $36 / night

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      10. Browns Creek

      4.5(23)42mi from HillsideRVs, Tents

      "Dispersed camping up at the lake. I say anything next to water is a bonus! For Night 1 we hiked in stayed somewhere off the trail, at what seemed like a horse camp stop."

      "The hiking is good with several trailheads and easy access to the Colorado Trail."

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Hillside, CO

    1 Photos of 19 Hillside Campgrounds

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Hillside, CO

    235 Reviews of 19 Hillside Campgrounds

    • Tj H.
      Aug. 9, 2019

      Haggards RV Campground

      Easy access and quiet

      My grandson and I stayed there in June for 4 days in a 34ft travel trailer in a pull thru long enough not to have to unhook. The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site. About 30 min from Pueblo and 30 from Canon City on Hwy 50 just east of Hwy 115 Full hookup and good WiFi Also had 30 OTA channels. Beautiful sunsets of the mountains Hwy 50 close by but traffic was not loud enough to disturb us Horses on the property as well as a swimming pool and very friendly staff Very nice experience and only 40 min from Colorado Springs or Royal Gorge.

    • Judy F.
      Aug. 18, 2018

      Cripple Creek KOA

      Beautiful scenery

      Convenient location to Cripple Creek CO. Mountain views. Situated on meadow hillside. Hiking trails, full hookups, fire rings with grills, picnic tables. Level sites with many pull thrus. Helpful owners. Sparkling bathrooms. Individual showers. Laundry rooms. Hummingbirds everywhere.

    • Madeline H.
      Jun. 13, 2018

      Browns Creek

      Quiet and Peaceful

      Dispersed camping up at the lake. I say anything next to water is a bonus!

      For Night 1 we hiked in stayed somewhere off the trail, at what seemed like a horse camp stop. Night 2 we stayed up at the lake campground. Got there early afternoon and was able to claim a prime spot. There is not much access to the water, so those spots get taken up rather quickly.

      Great views, awesome sunrise.

    • Amber J.
      Jun. 4, 2018

      Mueller State Park Campground

      Nice trees, large sites, excellent toilet and showers!

      Great 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.

    • Angie G.
      May. 17, 2021

      Arkansas Point Campground — Lake Pueblo State Park

      Great Lake Camping

      This was first camping trip staying in a Colorado State park and it was great! We had an electric only back-in site next to the bathhouse which was clean and had 4 separate bathrooms with showers. Our site was located next to a water spigot but we filled our water tank in our RV before we got to our site. We had a fire ring and nice picnic table meant for 8 people! It was super close to the trails to walk my dog on and we walked down to kayak at the lake.

    • Oakley C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 2, 2026

      Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

      Among the ponderosas

      Large well-spaced sites within a short driving distance to BV. Great access to the colorado trail. Portable toilets available at the intersection of 270 and 272 (the road leading to browns creek trailhead).  Minimal wash boarding as of May 2026.

    • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 30, 2023

      Cripple Creek KOA

      Camping on a mountain side

      They say this is the world’s highest KoA. It’s in the side of a mountain, css as moving loops stretch up the hill, bathroom and shower are at the bottom of the hill! But they do have pizza and will deliver to your site. It was pretty dusty when we were there. Sites are not jammed together, and the hillside does allow for views over other campsites. Hummingbirds buzzed around all day. Close to Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak

    • Cindy R.
      Jun. 28, 2021

      Alvarado Campground

      Loved with a few exceptions

      I absolutely love this area of Colorado. It's breathtaking no matter which direction you look. Decent campground that was a bit too big for my taste. I agree with another reviewer: choose your site wisely! Dirty vault toilets. Water spigots that were almost all dripping (some almost running). I believe it should be posted at time of reservation if there are STEPS involved to set up camp. This site had maybe 10 steps, some in desperate need of repair. As a senior solo camper, this was challenging.  This site was not my choice but the only one available for my time-frame (right next door to the camp host and on the main/incoming road). When we were there, no availability of firewood from camp host, but a load did arrive while we were there. Really noisy campground (plenty of barking dogs), PLUS,a helicopter was doing a training mission two of the days we were there and flew directly over the campground, low-level, 3-5 times each day. 

      No bear boxes. (there was a hiker/bear interaction on the Venable trail on June 17th.)

      Positives were wildlife, scenery, wildflowers, awesome hiking both directions out of the campground, nice fellow campers (those we met).

      In hindsight, I would have been really upset if I'd paid full price.

    • Fabein D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 13, 2023

      Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site

      Under big mountains

      Kinda busy with good access to Browns creek and the Colorado trail, but otherwise quiet if you can squeeze in. Easy for trailers too.

    Guide to Hillside

    Camping with horses near Hillside, Colorado offers several dispersed camping options for equestrians. Cotton Creek Trailhead provides multiple dispersed sites with fire rings where horse owners can set up camp with their animals. The rugged access road requires slow driving but rewards riders with exceptional star-viewing opportunities once settled. Sites along Cotton Creek feature natural water access for horses, though no developed horse facilities exist at this primitive location. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Hillside, Colorado.

    Willow Creek Trail area accommodates horse camping with approximately 15 dispersed sites along the forest road leading to the trailhead parking area. The sites provide convenient access to trails suitable for horseback riding at the base of Kit Carson peak. Restrooms are available at the trailhead, though no dedicated horse facilities exist. The road conditions can be challenging, especially after rain, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended when hauling horse trailers. Riders should bring portable corrals or highlines as no permanent tie facilities exist at these primitive sites.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hillside, CO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hillside, CO is Alvarado Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 18 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hillside, CO?

    TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Hillside, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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