Equestrian camping near Jefferson, Colorado offers limited facilities specifically for horse owners at established campgrounds. The area sits at approximately 9,500 feet elevation with dramatic temperature drops after sunset, even in summer months. Most horse-friendly options involve dispersed camping on Forest Service land where riders must bring portable corrals and manage their own water sources.
What to do
Trail riding access points: At Kenosha Pass Campground, campers can access section 6 of the Colorado Trail directly from the campground. "The trailhead for section 6 of the Colorado Trail is right next to the campgrounds so we checked out a portion while we were here and loved it," reports Steve C.
Mountain biking routes: Several trails near Staunton State Park accommodate both hikers and bikers. "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," notes Hayley K., who found the park "incredible for just getting away."
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Jefferson support diverse wildlife. At Kirby Gulch, campers report interesting encounters. "We had great views of the leaves starting to change and even saw 3 moose in the morning!" shares Alison C. Many sites offer creek access where wildlife frequently visits.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at many Jefferson area campgrounds. At Lodgepole near Jefferson, Emily H. noted, "the bathrooms were clean and our campsite was very large. We loved the easy access to the Colorado Trail as well."
Fall colors: The aspen groves around Jefferson create spectacular autumn displays. "The colors are amazing. Just a short drive to Jefferson Lake, or you can hop on the Colorado trail just across the road," reports Steph A. about her experience at Lodgepole campground.
Creek sounds: Many dispersed camping areas feature running water. At Matukat Road Dispersed Camping, Chris P. found "incredible views" and noted, "There's good hiking in the area as well. The road getting in was doable. We didn't need to engage the four-wheel-drive."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many horse-suitable areas require careful driving. At Kirby Gulch, Katelyn W. warns, "Super bumpy roads - must have an SUV or truck... You'll find that the first few sites are less desirable in that they are close together and lack tree coverage but keep driving and the sites become more private."
Highway noise: Some campsites experience traffic noise. At Kenosha Pass Campground, Todd T. mentions, "Beautiful campground, lots of trees & trails. Very clean, well managed. Some traffic noise from US285 is unfortunate."
Weather preparedness: The area experiences rapid temperature changes. "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," reports K.R. from Staunton State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Horse-friendly areas: For those with horses and children, Kirby Gulch offers suitable terrain. "About 15-20 of us camped at this site (#19) the weekend after the 4th of July, and it was an incredible, mostly private location... Across the road is the creek where the dogs (and humans) lived it up!" reports JT S.
Navigating equestrian space needs: When horse camping near Jefferson, select sites with adequate space. At Matukat Road, Brandon notes, "The sites are open and spaced out from one another. We only saw a few cars pass by but otherwise no other signs of humans around."
Animal interactions: Kids often enjoy the wildlife encounters. "Livestock do graze in the area, we saw a herd of cows that initially we thought were bears so we had a split second of worry before realizing what they were," shares John M. about Matukat Road Dispersed Camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: When bringing horse trailers, consider space limitations. At Guanella Pass, Jim W. notes, "Guanella pass was my families favorite place to camp for years. We finally had to stop going due to the road through the campground was rotted out due to water and drainage. You almost needed a four wheel drive just to drive through the campground."
Pull-through accessibility: For larger rigs hauling horses, some sites present challenges. At Kenosha Pass Campground, Jackie E. shares, "Several spots are large enough for a big camper, but the tight curves on the loop and thick trees make it a little questionable for maneuvering."
Water access planning: Since dedicated equestrian facilities are limited, RVers need to plan for horse watering. At Lodgepole, Sarah F. noted, "We heard the pump was quite a workout," highlighting the importance of bringing additional containers when traveling with horses.
