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Best Equestrian Camping near Mesa Verde National Park

78 Reviews

Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort accommodates equestrians visiting Mesa Verde National Park with spacious sites that can fit large horse trailers and rigs up to 40 feet in length. While the campground does not feature dedicated horse corrals, the property includes large turf areas and open fields where guests can exercise their horses under proper supervision. The resort's location provides convenient access to nearby forest service roads and trails suitable for horseback riding. Full hookup sites with 50-amp service are available for equestrians traveling with living quarters horse trailers. The campground maintains clean facilities including showers, laundry, and a restaurant/bar for riders returning from trail excursions. Many campers note that the surrounding forest offers excellent trail riding opportunities with some of the best scenery in Colorado.

Equestrians visiting Mesa Verde have additional options at nearby national forest campgrounds. Target Tree Campground, located 20 minutes from Mesa Verde National Park's entrance, offers a more rustic experience for horse owners with less developed amenities but proximity to riding trails. The surrounding San Juan National Forest contains numerous horse-friendly trails that connect riders to spectacular Colorado mountain scenery. Horse owners should note that most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations during peak summer months when visitation is highest. When riding in the Mesa Verde region, equestrians should carry sufficient water for their horses as natural water sources may be limited on some trails. Trail riders accessing the forest directly from Echo Basin benefit from the camp host's local knowledge of suitable riding routes and current trail conditions.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Mesa Verde National Park (9)

    1. Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort

    20 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 533-7000

    "Tucked away from the highway and far enough from any big city, you want nature and stars at night? This is the place! We backed up to a huge green field."

    "It is easy to sit back and relax or play a game of pickleball while the squirrels are running around."

    2. Target Tree Campground

    14 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    13 miles
    Website

    $24 / night

    "All kinds of activities are nearby. Spectacular Colorado mountains and scenery. Silverton and the Million Dollar Highway are nearby if you dare."

    "Pros: Really nice big camping spots, pit toilets not too far of a walk, firewood available from hosts, convenient location Cons: first come first served (I think some people missed out even this late"

    3. mcphee recreation complex

    4 Reviews
    Dolores, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 882-7296

    $26 - $110 / night

    "It is adjacent to flush toilets.  A few steps from the back of the site is a nice view of the reservoir.   "

    "Mountain biking trails galore! Hiking, fishing, swimming nearby. Great base camp allows 30 day stay limit! Don’t miss this hidden gem of a campground!!"

    4. Cherry Creek Gravel Lot

    5 Reviews
    Hesperus, CO
    17 miles

    "You can hear the highway, but it's not much. Just ambient background noise. I got a spot with shade all day, so that was awesome."

    5. Transfer Campground

    2 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 882-7296

    $24 - $75 / night

    6. La Plata County Fairgrounds

    11 Reviews
    Durango, CO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 382-6468

    $28 / night

    "Not a spectacular view, but 6 large spots close to the free shuttle, bike path and rec center (totally worth the day pass) ."

    "Yes it is dusty and really there is nothing cute about it but you can’t beat the location. We had access to the trails by the river. There are only 6 spots with water and 30 or 50 amp electric."

    7. Lower Hermosa Campground

    12 Reviews
    San Juan National Forest, CO
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 247-4874

    $20 / night

    "There is horse/cattle stalls if you need. High elevation and lots of shade. Was a little chilly at night in early may. Close to nice climbing off the 550. Also close to above ground hot spring."

    "Right next to Hermosa Creek trail. Such a beautiful place. The bathrooms are clean, the camp host is an awesome guy. Would definitely stay again."

    8. Little Molas Lake Campground

    14 Reviews
    Silverton, CO
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 884-2512

    "Nice little campground on the Million Dollar Highway heading between Durango and Silverton, with the Colorado Trail passing right through the campground."

    "This spot would be great for large campers or campers with horses/trailers."

    9. Mountain Meadow Camp

    1 Review
    Bayfield, CO
    50 miles
    +1 (970) 799-7058

    $15 - $60 / night

    "A hidden gem with close accessability to trails, lake and rivers. Supplies are nearby. Spectacular views of the Vallecito Valley carved by glacer actions."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mesa Verde National Park

78 Reviews of 9 Mesa Verde National Park Campgrounds

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Little Molas Lake Campground

    Busy campground on the Colorado Trail

    Nice little campground on the Million Dollar Highway heading between Durango and Silverton, with the Colorado Trail passing right through the campground. There is a main road with sites spread out over a few close ridges, and a small loop that ends in at the day use parking and vault toilet. It seemed that the “group” sites were closest to the vault toilets next to the day use parking, which could present an issue as it was very busy. The “group” sites were very crowded, which could have been just too many people in a small area, or the area could have been just too small.  Sites further away from the toilets were more spacious, but no site was huge. All sites seemed to have good hammocking trees. It seemed the best sites were the ones closest to the entrance: the parking pads were up next to the road and the tent pads and fire rings were set back from the road down a steepish grade. This was a great spot to camp as a home base for hiking the Colorado Trail. There are great trails heading out of the campground in both directions. The usual picnic tables and fire pits could be found at all sites we looked at.

  • Toni K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2021

    Lower Hermosa Campground

    Nice shady camp ground

    Very sweet camp hosts that provided water. Clean bathrooms and large camp spots. There is horse/cattle stalls if you need. High elevation and lots of shade. Was a little chilly at night in early may. Close to nice climbing off the 550. Also close to above ground hot spring.

  • Jess and Jess S.
    Aug. 18, 2024

    Little Molas Lake Campground

    Large spot

    We stumbled upon this campsite through Dyrt. We left on a 10 day honeymoon to the mountains with no real plans. This was our first time to the Silverton area and this spot was perfect for us to spend two nights. The spot we camped at was the first one when you pull in. This spot would be great for large campers or campers with horses/trailers. It had several large pines for us to put our tent between to help with the rain coverage as it rained both nights we were there. This spot is closer to the highway but we weren't there during the day and at night there was not a lot of road noise. We did have to drive to the bathrooms from this site due to the rain and distance. Would stay here again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Target Tree Campground

    Target tree is an awesome campground at the southwestern edge of the rockies about 25 miles south of Durango

    Target Tree has awesome campsites. It sits between Mesa Verde and Durango and is a perfect launch for this area. All kinds of activities are nearby. Spectacular Colorado mountains and scenery. Silverton and the Million Dollar Highway are nearby if you dare. Fishing everywhere, hiking trails, wildlife, and cool weather.

    Durango has a lot of campgrounds nearby, but they aren't really RV oriented. Target Tree is an excellent RV campground with large sites and plenty of room. The camp host is great, friendly, and helpful.

  • M
    Jul. 9, 2022

    Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort

    GORGEOUS Campground!

    Loved loved loved our stay here! Tucked away from the highway and far enough from any big city, you want nature and stars at night? This is the place! We backed up to a huge green field. The gentleman that helped us back our 42 foot rig into our site gave PERFECT directions, telling my husband which was to turn our wheel which make this a first try back in. The owner was the kindest man we enjoyed getting to know. No dog park, but a large open field we're allowed to utilize, letting the pups off leash. They LOVED it! Mesa Verde NP with the cliff dwellings are a short drive away, perfect day trip. We should have stayed here a whole week!

  • S
    May. 16, 2021

    La Plata County Fairgrounds

    Bare minimums but good location

    This is a small area at the fairgrounds that has space for 6 RVs. All of the sites are back in with 30 amp power and a shared water connection. There are no sewer connections but there are several dump stations in town. There are no showers or restrooms. The sites are gravel and pretty level. Our Verizon and AT&T hotspots both worked well and cell service was good. There is what looks like a maintenance area behind the campground so there was traffic back and forth most of the day that kicked up some dust. It was also a bit noisy. The Durango to Silverton train runs right next to the fairgrounds and that can be a bit noisy too. The Animas River trail is within walking distance. There is also a town trolley service that will take you into the main part of town. The weekends can have events going on which could make it a bit tight to get in and out with your RV. Overall, this was an ok place for a few days but it is certainly nothing fancy. It was very affordable though.

  • Erin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2023

    Little Molas Lake Campground

    Cool Campsite Outside of Silverton

    Beautiful campsite with easy access to lots of fun trails, including the CO trail. Only a short drive from Silverton and an hour or so outside Durango

  • B
    Jun. 25, 2021

    mcphee recreation complex

    Nice Campground in need of some love

    According to the campground host our site (16E) is one of the most desired sites.  The site has 30 amp electric service.  It is adjacent to flush toilets.  A few steps from the back of the site is a nice view of the reservoir.   The site offers ample space for a tent in addition to the back-in paved pad that accommodated our 32 ft truck/trailer combination.   A picnic table and fire ring is provided.  Numerous trees offer shade and privacy.  

    The roads and pads could use some maintenance.  At one time a nice dump station was provided but has since been abandoned.  We dumped at the Maverick's in Cortez.

  • S
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort

    My Favorite Weekend Getaway

    My husband and I stay here about 4 times per year. We have hosted numerous family get togethers here thru the years. What keeps bringing us back are the friendly people, the large and absolutely beautiful sites and the long list of things to do. It is easy to sit back and relax or play a game of pickleball while the squirrels are running around. The forest is just a short side X side ride away with tons of trails and some of the best scenery in Colorado. The bar/restaurant is a great place to unwind or meet fellow campers. We have never had a bad time at Echo Basin!

Guide to Mesa Verde National Park

Horse camping near Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With several campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • The Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort provides spacious sites and allows pets, making it a great choice for those traveling with horses.
  • At Transfer Campground, you'll find ample room for horse trailers and easy access to nearby trails for riding.
  • Mountain Meadow Camp is a hidden gem with close access to trails and rivers, perfect for equestrian adventures.

Tips for equestrian camping near Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado

  • Always check for specific horse amenities at your chosen campground, such as designated riding trails and water access for your horses.
  • Consider visiting Target Tree Campground, which offers a beautiful tree-filled environment and is known for its friendly hosts.
  • Make sure to pack enough supplies for both you and your horse, as some campgrounds like La Plata County Fairgrounds may not have nearby markets.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mesa Verde National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mesa Verde National Park is Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort with a 4.7-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mesa Verde National Park?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Mesa Verde National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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