Equestrian camping near Ouray, Colorado connects riders with mountain terrain at elevations typically between 7,000 and 10,300 feet. The San Juan Mountains offer diverse terrain from alpine meadows to forested valleys. Most dispersed sites in the region remain accessible from late May through early October, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: Anvil Dispersed Campground provides direct access to multiple trail systems with "4 miles outside Silverton, CO. Several options on both side of the creek" and "Easy, flat road into the area" according to James, making it ideal for trailer access.
Fishing near campsites: River Hill offers fishing opportunities right from camp with one visitor noting they "Spent time fishing in the river that ran by the campsite." The campground also features a trailhead to Box Canyon that "starts at the campground and it was beautiful."
Wildlife viewing: At Silver Jack Campground, campers can explore trails leading to reservoir overlooks. One visitor reported "Beautiful area around Silver Jack Reservoir with scrub brush low turning to pine forest and huge aspen glades as you climb." The area supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities during morning and evening hours.
What campers like
River access: Mill Creek Campground offers creekside sites where "The river is great for cooling off but very cold!" The location provides "great access to fishing, hiking, and ATV trails" while being "nestled in pine trees alongside the lake fork of the Gunnison river."
Stargazing opportunities: Campers at Thirty Mile Campground report "Great stargazing and access to the river for fishing." The area's minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing, with one visitor noting "We could here the creek and the Rio Grande which made for great sleeping."
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. At Soap Creek Campground, guests note "Vault toilets only, but they were very clean" and the area is "kept amazingly clean and quiet off the beaten path." Another camper described their experience: "This place is kept amazingly clean and quiet off the beaten path."
What you should know
Elevation considerations: Many campgrounds sit at high elevations, with Little Molas Lake Campground at "12000 feet or so in the San Juan national forest." This elevation can affect both people and horses, with one visitor noting "Elevation is about 10,300 and posed a problem for our generator that caused severe spark-plug fouling."
Pack in, pack out: Most equestrian-friendly sites require bringing all supplies and removing all waste. Many campgrounds are "pack it in, pack out camp grounds with vault/pit toilet. No water or shower."
Weather variability: Mountain weather changes rapidly. One camper at Upper Mill Creek noted "Woke up with a light dusting of snow but it thawed by 10:30." Early summer and fall camping can include subfreezing overnight temperatures even when days are warm.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Lower Hermosa Campground provides "River access from most campsites" where families can enjoy supervised water play. One visitor mentioned "It's a smaller campsite. It was not very busy when we were there...I liked that."
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room for children to play safely. Soap Creek Campground offers sites "large enough to accommodate our large tent and two vehicles...with room enough to spare to play washers!"
Wildlife education: Many campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities, with visitors reporting "We saw Moose and Elk" at Mill Creek Campground. Parents should educate children about maintaining safe distances from wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access to many horse-friendly sites requires careful driving. For Soap Creek Campground, visitors warn "the road in gets narrow at times so if you're bringing an RV or a larger sized car be extra cautious."
Generator considerations: Most dispersed camping areas have no electricity. Some established campgrounds have restrictions where "for the most part they kept their generators off (no electricity at this campground) during quiet hours."
Site selection: Larger rigs should arrive early for best sites. At Little Molas Lake, one camper advised "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."
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