The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Equestrian Camping near La Veta, CO

27 Reviews

Limited equestrian camping facilities exist near La Veta, Colorado with most campgrounds lacking dedicated horse corrals based on available data. Huerfano State Wildlife Area permits horses but does not offer specialized equestrian amenities. Dispersed camping at Willow Creek Trail, Sacred White Shell Mountain, and Holbrook Road allows for primitive horse camping with opportunities to bring your own containment systems. The rough terrain at Purgatoire Campground presents challenges for horse trailer access with reviewers noting the 4-mile dirt road can be difficult to navigate with larger vehicles.

Trail access varies significantly across the region's horse-friendly camping areas. The Willow Creek Trail area provides dispersed camping at the base of Kit Carson peak with approximately 15 sites along the forest road leading to the trailhead parking lot. Sites are accessible for vehicles pulling horse trailers though none have dedicated equestrian facilities. Huerfano State Wildlife Area requires permits for camping and offers picnic tables and toilets but limited services for horses. Sites are accessible via drive-in or walk-in routes with sufficient space for trailers. When camping with horses in these areas, visitors must bring all necessary equipment for containing and caring for their animals as none of the documented campgrounds provide dedicated equestrian infrastructure.

Map showing campgrounds near La Veta, ColoradoExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near La Veta, Colorado (7)

Show More
Showing results 1-7 of 7 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

La Veta Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near La Veta, CO

1 Photos of 7 La Veta Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near La Veta, CO

27 Reviews of 7 La Veta Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • P
    May. 18, 2021

    Alvarado Campground

    Beautiful Spot, Would Return

    We stayed at Alvarado for one night on 5/15/2021. We had sites 34 and 35 right across the road from each other. Steve the host was really friendly and stopped by to say hello a couple of times. 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. The water was closed when we were there because they were waiting on test results before they could open, they did end up opening the water on Sunday so I’m assuming it’s good to go for the season now. Town is really close by (maybe 15 min) so we just went into town and filled up water jugs. Site 34 was a bit close to the campsite next to us. We ended up going to sleep when our neighbors did just because we thought even low voices would be a disturbance to them in their tents. Other than the close proximity, the sites were great and nicely maintained. The sites higher than 35 seem to be spaced a bit further apart so would probably go to the upper sites next time. Great campsite, would return again!

    Nice picnic tables and permanent fire pits/grates (which means you can typically use even during stage one fire bans) at every site. A lot of dumpsters and water spots, as well as toilets.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Alvarado Campground

    One of those gems

    The campground won't accommodate fifth wheels only horse and rv up to 30 or so. Many of the sites in the 30,s up are useless other than a van. Tent sites are not good. Very uneven pads. The 40,s are much better and all mostly tents. The sites below 30 to 1 are pretty nice. Must say the hosts for the new concession explorUS were doing a bang up job.

  • Glenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Alvarado Campground

    Great campground!

    We arrived around 830am on a July Saturday morning and found a handful of spots available to select from. We were a party of five with one large tent, one medium size tent and 2 vehicles. Luckily spot 43 at the top of the loop was available and able to accommodate our group. It was located close to water and a pit toilet as well. The host was attentive and cleaned and stocked the toilet. The campground was beautiful and had access to several wonderful trails. The night sky was amazing after the rain passed through and the clouds cleared. There was a group at a lower loop that was playing really loud music until well after quiet time. I do wish the host had put an end to that. Firewood was available for purchase at the host, but we were allowed to gather our own as well. All in all, a wonderful location and we were glad to find a spot and would love to return.

  • Marissa B.
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Purgatoire Campground

    Secluded, but rough terrain

    The area surrounding Purgatory is GORGEOUS. It’s straight out of a movie or picture book. The roads to get to the campsite were pretty rough and many of the lower campsites had standing water on or near them. Our site was steep to get to, but level and felt separated from the other sites.

    The nearby towns are VERY small and don’t have much to offer for activities, restaurants or supplies if you forget something. Several beautiful small lakes nearby though!

  • Silouan A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Willow Creek Trail

    Dispersed camping at the base of Kit Carson peak

    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.

  • Keri F.
    Apr. 30, 2019

    Purgatoire Campground

    Mountain Isolation

    No access to electric or water. Road to camp is rough. Beautiful scenery. Short drive to Chucara and Stonewall.

  • Alicia S.
    Aug. 5, 2018

    Alvarado Campground

    pretty campground, but bad trails for atv

    The campground was nice, but we took our atv and the trails are very narrow, and when encountering another atv, theres really no where to get around. There were also lots of people walking and hiking the trails, making it very dangerous on an atv.

  • Jade T.
    Jul. 11, 2022

    Alvarado Campground

    Small Sites

    Beautiful camping sites. They’re small though. Our 12 person tent (18’x10’) did not fit on site. We ended up placing it in the parking spot and parked next to the tent so it worked out. We stayed July 1st-5th and it rained every day we were there. Very windy as well… make sure you stake everything down and add some weight to it too.

Guide to La Veta

Horse camping in Colorado offers a unique way to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

  • At Purgatoire Campground, you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere with pit toilets and trash disposal, making it a convenient choice for horse campers.
  • Alvarado Campground features spacious sites and is well-suited for RVs and horses, providing a comfortable base for your adventures.
  • The Mesita Ranch offers a range of accommodations, including yurts and glamping options, along with picnic tables and toilets for a more comfortable stay.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and access

  • Huerfano State Wildlife Area provides a wonderfully isolated setting with access to trails, perfect for those looking to ride in a serene environment.
  • Sacred White Shell Mountain Campground is conveniently located near the Great Sand Dunes National Park, offering beautiful scenery and trails for horseback riding.
  • Holbrook Road allows for both drive-in and walk-in access, making it easy to reach various riding trails in the area.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Campers at Alvarado Campground can enjoy hiking and wildlife watching, with plenty of trails to explore right from the campground.
  • Purgatoire Campground is known for its solitude and great hiking opportunities, making it ideal for those who want to combine riding with outdoor exploration.
  • Visitors to The Mesita Ranch can take advantage of the surrounding natural beauty, perfect for both horseback riding and relaxing in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near La Veta, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near La Veta, CO is Purgatoire Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near La Veta, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring