Best Equestrian Camping near Meeker, CO
Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Meeker? Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. Find Colorado equestrian campgrounds with ease on The Dyrt.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Meeker, CO (8)
1. North Fork Campground
Meeker, Colorado4 Reviews•11 Photos•25 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
2. South Fork Campground
New Castle, Colorado2 Reviews•8 Photos•53 SavesThe South Fork Campground provides good access to fishing on the South Fork of the White River, and hiking & horseback riding in the Flat Tops Wilderness. This site provides access to South Fork Trail #1827and Spring Cave Trail #1834. Overflow camping is available (regular fees apply).
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$20 / night
3. Bear Lake Campground
Yampa, Colorado12 Reviews•36 Photos•320 SavesManaged by the Yampa Ranger District. This campground is located in the Bear River area of the Flat Tops Wilderness, 14 miles southwest of Yampa on Forest Development Road 900. This campground is in a large wooded area that makes a small loop with 43 sites + 4 double sites and 1 triple site making it a popular place for RV’s and families with children.
- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
$5 / night
4. East Marvine
Meeker, Colorado2 Reviews•9 Photos•22 SavesThe East Marvine Campground has 7 non-reservable campsites with picnic tables, toilet, firegrates, and trash disposal. The campground adjacent to East Marvine Trail #1822 and Marvine Trail #1823. Nearby fishing is available at East Marvine Creek, Marvine Creek, Marvine Lakes, Rainbow Lake & Guthrie Lake. The Marvine parking areas provide plenty of room for trailers and vehicles. Hitchracks are available in the parking lot, and corrals are available at a charge of $5.00 each, per day. Day use parking is available on the right side of the road and overflow camping (when the campgrounds are full) is available on the left side of the road (regular fees apply). Domestic cattle may be grazing in this area. There is no potable water available. Livestock may be watered in the stream, approximately 400 yards away.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
5. Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground
Yampa, Colorado4 Reviews•21 Photos•53 SavesTrappers Lake is known as the "Cradle of Wilderness." At approximately 302 surface acres, the lake contains a strain of native cutthroat trout and the Colorado Division of Wildlife operates a spawn collection station at the Cabin Creek inlet during May and June. Trappers Lake itself lies completely within Flat Tops Wilderness; motorized boats and wheeled carts for boat transport are prohibited. Trappers Lake Lodge rents cabins and boats, and there are 5 Forest Service campgrounds nearby. Dispersed camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of Trappers Lake and the campgrounds. The video below is provided courtesy of Flattopsbyway. A downloadable audio tour of the Flat Tops Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is also available.
- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
$11 - $25 / night
6. Marvine Campground
Meeker, Colorado1 Review•9 Photos•14 SavesOverview
Marvine Campground is set in a towering grove of mixed conifer and aspen trees on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies at an elevation of 8,200 feet. This is an ideal setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation. Hikers, hunters, anglers and equestrians can also find recreational opportunities nearby. This is a good base for hiking and horseback riding in the Flat Tops Wilderness. Enjoy elk hunting amidst one of the largest elk herds in North America.
Recreation
This popular campground is located 36 miles east of Meeker along Marvine Creek. It offers access to a number of trails and lakes for hiking, fishing and hunting. Fishing is available in Marvine and East Marvine Creeks, and in the Flat Tops Wilderness at Marvine Lakes. Marvine Trail #1823 and East Marvine Trail #1822 both begin near the campground.
Natural Features
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting 8 wilderness areas, 4 defined seasons, and 10 peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges, moose graze along the streams and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
Nearby Attractions
East Marvine Trail: The trail leads up East Marvine Creek, through the the Flat Tops Wilderness to Johnson Lake. At the summit Big Marvine Peak offers a panoramic view of the Flat Tops Wilderness and surrounding area. Marvine Trail: The Marvine Trail begins at the end of County Road 12 right outside the campground. It accesses Marvine Creek and Marvine Lakes providing great opportunity to fish. Marvine Lake and Slide Lake: These two lakes cover 135 surface acres and offer rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout fishing. Marvine Lakes General Forest Area: The Marvine Lakes general forest area offers access to a number of lakes and trails in the central part of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of the White River National Forest. Papoose Trail: Papoose Creek Trail 2248 leads up Papoose Creek past several short waterfalls, to Papoose Basin. It then climbs onto the Flat Tops Plateau where it intersects the Oyster Lake Trail 1825.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.
Charges & Cancellations
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
$32 - $34 / night
8. Ute Lodge
Be the first to review!Meeker, Colorado•6 Photos•5 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Meeker
25 Reviews of 8 Meeker Campgrounds
Greg L.
Legend
Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground
Equestrian focus CG
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 one issue is NO shade.
Roger W.Legend
Bear Lake Campground
Beautiful
Many nice sites ,all first come, first serve. There are quite a few sites that are pretty private. Also , there are some Lakeside sites. Fantastic scenery and beautiful sites. Short drive to tails which can be accessed from campground via feeder trail. The Grand Mesa is pretty. Wild flowers and mosquitoes this time of year. Mosquitoes will be gone sometime in August they say .
Todd J.
Guide
North Fork Campground
Lots of Trees
The camp host was very nice. There was A TON of firewood available. Almost all the sites have shade. The ground is a bit rocky and unlevel in some sites.
- Todd J.Guide
Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground
Horses but Not Many Trees!
This campground is rather small. It does have facilities including horse corrals.
- Mike S.Guide
Bear Lake Campground
Bring the bug spray
After seven miles of washboard road down FR900 and CR7 out of Yampa, you arrive at Bear Lake about 9,700 feet. The entire campground (43 sites) is first come first served with no reservations. The sites have good separation between them and most of them are really good sites. They have single sites for $10/night, $20/night for a few double sites and $30/night for the triple site. Make sure you bring bug spray because the mosquitoes are brutal! I would definitely recommend this campground to anyone that enjoys some seclusion and privacy.
Ruth L.GuideNorth Fork Campground
Gateway to an exciting area
We are experiencing a very hot summer, hot even at higher altitudes. Shade in a campsite becomes important. This campground sits in an Aspen forest, and many of the sites have some trees if enough to provide some shade some of the day. A shade canopy or a couple of tarps for shade would be a good idea. Campsites are mostly spread apart enough for decent privacy. Campsites were clean, pit toilets well maintained. Midweek the campground was mostly empty. Accross the road from the cpground is the White River, but it is hard to access because of the dense growth. A couple of miles down the road there are pull outs were there is easy access to the river. Follow county road 8 to the left and about 20 miles up the road there are numerous hiking trails. Follow the road farther you will reach the turn off that will take you to Trappers Lake, at the foot of the Flat Tops wilderness area. Lots of interesting possibilities.
Nikki and Will W.GuideNorth Fork Campground
Secluded campsite set in trees
This was an amazing site! Even though this is a group campground you wouldn't know it! We chose a great site that was actually 2 tiered! We had a spot for our truck with truck bed tent and then some stairs led to the picnic table, fire ring, and ground tent site. It was an awesome experience to have tiers at our campsite. The campground was quiet and it was great to be able to walk our dog around with most people following leash laws.
We'd stay here again!
Bryan P.
TravelerBear Lake Campground
Great Location
Great location and great fishing. Clean campground with good amenities.
Doug W.
RangerTrappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground
Nice USFS campgrounds
There are 4 small US Forest Service campgrounds here. The access road is in great shape and while it is gravel, it is passable with any vehicle and trailer combination.
One of the campgrounds is reservable, the the others are FCFS. We stayed in the equestrian campground. In two of the campgrounds (on the left as you come in), only the smallest of trailers will work. The first one on the right is the equestrian campground and the second one on the right is the reservable campground. 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. On the other hand, the campgrounds get very little use and you should have no problems finding a spot. We were there in early June and we had our campground to our selves. There is water but no other services. Cell service? Forget about it.
The hiking is fantastic from the campground. Trappers Lake is outstanding. There was a forest fire a few years back so the trees around the lake are gone. There are many trails and the views are some of the best.
mark H.TravelerBear Lake Campground
Quiet, peaceful, spacious
One of the best campground my family and I have gone to. Tent sites are set back and space and trees separate sites.. 2 great lakes that are stocked (3 kids + 1/2 hr = 12 trout) within walking distance... The chipmunks were alittle intrusive but my dog was fully entertained by them.
Campground Recon C.Guide
East Marvine
Empty & Quiet
The 7 campsites at East Marvine Campground were surprisingly empty in mid-July and the neighboring Marvine Campground was only half full. Site 1 is a pull-thru near the restrooms.
Open late-May to late-October
First Come First Served
$20 per night +$5 for horse corrals
50ft max RV length
The big attraction in the area seems to be the East Marvine Trail and Marvine Trail that leads into the Flat Tops Wilderness. Very popular for pack trips. We saw quite a few horse trailers in the area.
- Campground Recon C.Guide
South Fork Campground
Hiking, Fly Fishing, and Camping
Campsites were a bit overgrown and 3 sites were closed due to downed trees. The trailhead for the South Fork Trail #1827 and Spring Cave Trail #1834 are at the back of the campground.
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. Check the forest service website for full details.
The South Fork Trail follows the South Fork of the White River for 16 miles. Nearly all of the South Fork Trail is in the Flat Tops Wilderness.
$20/night
First Come - First Served
No Potable Water
- Campground Recon C.Guide
Marvine Campground
Quiet & Relaxing
This campground was less than half full. Trailhead for East Marvine Trail and Marvine Trail is not far from the campground entrance. Both trails lead into the Flat Tops Wilderness and are popular for pack rides. Horse corrals are available at the trailhead and nearby East Marvine Campground for an additional $5 / night.
- Teresa T.Traveler
Bear Lake Campground
Quiet and peaceful
We drove in on a Sunday at 5:00 pm and they had 2 vacancies. Loved our site! Nice host, quiet campground, and friendly fellow campers! Highly recommend!
Rebeca H.LegendSouth Fork Campground
Great RV Park by the Rio Grande
We stayed at this RV Park a few days after an early snow storm hit the area. We needed electrical hookup and a spot by the river :). This campground exceeded our expectations. The spot was beautiful, clean and the managers were very friendly.
- Meghan A.Traveler
North Fork Campground
Nice, but not great for tents
This was a nice shady campground. Lots of shade, vault toilets, and water spigots. The ground was very rocky and undeveloped, not great for tents. We kept sliding while we slept. Plus, there weren’t spots for the tents, we had to place them in the RV pull through areas. Not likely to return to this campground
- Danielle S.Traveler
Bear Lake Campground
Great Location - $5 Night
There are multiple campgrounds in this immediate area that all surround Yamcolo Reservoir, Bear Lake, and Stillwater Reservoir. There are 3 established campgrounds (Bear Lake Campground, Horseshoe Campground, & Cold Springs Campground) as well as many dispersed campsites with established fire rings. We stayed in Site #15 which was right next to a bathroom and just on the other side of the reservoir wall. There are many trailheads for hiking, 4x4 routes, small boat ramp, and plenty of hammock trees. Tree coverage can be hit or miss depending on what site you manage to snag. Phone service is minimal, practically non-existent. The sites are clean and well kept (even during Covid-19). Yampa is a 15min drive for anything that was forgotten and you can also snag firewood on the way in. I’ll absolutely be returning to camp here again!
- Mark K.Traveler
Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground
Lake camping
Nice campground close to great hiking
- Rebeca H.Legend
Bear Lake Campground
Great spot!!!
Great base camp for all the activities around you. Good hiking and fishing near by. Absolutely stunning views when you are at the reservoirs. Bring your kayak if you have one! There are no views of the lake from the sites but some of the sites have nice views of the mountains. The campground is nice and the sites are spread out which was great. We had tons of mosquitos which is the only reason I am not giving it 5 stars. Even with the mosquitos, we would go back!
- Shawnda T.Guide
Bear Lake Campground
Stunning Views
Although not very large, this campground offers great outdoor enjoyment! The sites are well laid out with good space between them allowing for a bit of privacy. There is a creek that runs through many of them and they are all set up as expected with picnic tables and fire rings. The best part of this campground is the hiking and fishing possibilities all around you! The vistas were stunning and the cool weather in the area for summer was a welcome break from the heat. We will definitely be back!
Liz B.TravelerBear Lake Campground
Beautiful views
If you’re looking for a camp spot with lots of close activities this is the place. Great fishing, paddle boarding, close hiking trails. We went late July and there were tons of mosquitos, but other than that it was great. If you’re looking for more secluded camping there are dispersed sites all up and down the dirt road.
- Keri F.Guide
Bear Lake Campground
Mountain oasis
Limited sites...about 40 I think. Good fishing.
We prefer using our higher ground clearance camper.
Perfect to relax and unwind. Hiking, fishing, wildlife are great!
Watch out for the bears!! :)
- Tom S.
ScoutBear Lake Campground
Decent size sites spectacular views
Be weary of your neighbors you intend to camp next to. Pick a good day that has less traffic here
- Josh W.Guide
East Marvine
Sure secluded and private
This campground is very secluded and offers good fishing opportunities in the mountain creek.
- PPeggy S.Scout
Bear Lake Campground
Fun camping and fishing
We visited this campground and lake the middle of June 2016. The campsites were clean and easily accessible. The fishing was great from the bank and also from a float tube. We are going back this month.😊
Guide to Meeker
Horse camping in Colorado offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. With numerous campgrounds catering to horse camping, adventurers can explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the comforts of nature.
Campers appreciate these amenities for horses
- The Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground features horse corrals and a water spigot, making it a convenient choice for equestrian campers.
- At East Marvine Campground, horse corrals are available for an additional fee, providing a secure area for your horses.
- Marvine Campground offers easy access to trails leading into the Flat Tops Wilderness, perfect for those looking to ride in beautiful surroundings.
Equestrian campers like these nearby activities
- The South Fork Trail, accessible from the South Fork Campground, follows the South Fork of the White River and is ideal for long rides through picturesque landscapes.
- From East Marvine Campground, riders can explore the East Marvine Trail, which leads into the stunning Flat Tops Wilderness.
- Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground is a gateway to numerous hiking trails, offering diverse options for both riding and exploring on foot.
Tips for equestrian camping near Meeker, Colorado
- Be prepared for rocky terrain at the North Fork Campground, which may not be ideal for tent camping but offers great shade and firewood availability.
- Bring bug spray when visiting Bear Lake Campground, as mosquitoes can be quite bothersome during the warmer months.
- Consider visiting during the week for a quieter experience, as many campgrounds, like Marvine Campground, tend to be less crowded midweek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Meeker, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Meeker, CO is North Fork Campground with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Meeker, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Meeker, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.