We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. With our help, you'll find the best Colorado equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Spillway Campground is perched along the South Platte River near the base of the dam of Eleven Mile Reservoir. Adventurists and families alike will find things to do here. Birding is excellent, as is hiking. Rock climbers enjoy the solid rocky cliffs of the canyon and fly fishermen find abundant catches in the river.
Hike the Overlook Trail for breathtaking views of Eleven Mile Canyon and Reservoir. Occasionally, Golden Eagles can be viewed nesting in the nearby granite cliffs and crags. Springtime brings higher chances of spotting Bald Eagles. Visitors enjoy fishing by shore or canoe. Rainbow and brown trout, kokanee salmon and pike are among the species anglers are likely to find.
The campground, at altitude 8,500 feet, is located at the edge of Eleven Mile Canyon, furthest from the canyon entrance. Some campsites are shaded by scattered spruce and ponderosa pine. Spillway is the closest campground to the Eleven Mile Reservoir, which spans 3,405 surface acres and 5 miles in length. Eleven Mile Canyon was cut by the South Platte River and is bordered by polished gray granite cliffs.
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Visitors enjoy the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$22 / night
Colorado Campground is a favorite family destination near Manitou Lake Picnic Area north of the town of Woodland Park. A short trail leads to the lovely lake, where visitors enjoy fishing, bird watching and canoeing.
Manitou Lake offers trout fishing and lakeside picnicking. Canoeing on the small lake is also a popular activity. The Centennial Bike Trail, a paved, accessible recreation trail, connects Colorado Campground to Manitou Lake Picnic Area and South Meadows Campground. The trail is popular among hikers, roller bladers and bicyclists. The nearby Rainbow Falls OHV Trail System and North Divide OHV Trail System are recommended for off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
The campground is situated at 7,800 feet in a ponderosa pine forest near the 5-acre Manitou Lake. The campground lies in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, due north of Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak summit reaches an elevation of 14,115 feet and is America's easternmost peak over 14,000 feet.
Colorado Springs is about 25 miles southeast of the campground and offers many services. Garden of the Gods is a popular attraction just outside of town. This free park offers hiking trails, rock climbing routes, a visitor center and cafe. Pikes Peak lies west of Manitou Springs, which is about 20 miles from the campground. Visitors can hike, or drive to the summit of this beautiful mountain. The town of Woodland Park, located 6 miles south of Colorado Campground, offers gas, groceries, dining and shopping.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$37 / night
Round Mountain is a small, rustic campground that sits just 6 miles from Lake George and Eleven Mile Canyon, 11 miles from the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and 15 miles to Eleven Mile Reservoir. It is also within a short drive to hiking and biking trails, fly fishing, wildlife and bird watching.
Visitors can also enjoy Eleven Mile Canyon for fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and wild life watching. The nearby Riverside Campground offers access to the Hardrock Trail. The 1.5-mile trail is open to hikers and mountain bikers, and provides interpretive signs about native flora and fauna.
Round Mountain, at elevation 8,500 feet, sits near Blue Mountain, Stoll Mountain and Martland Peak. Campsites are widely spaced in woods of ponderosa pine and young aspen. The high altitude creates mild summer days and chilly nights. Aspen trees create a beautiful sunny yellow hue in fall. Interesting wild inhabitants of the area include porcupines, mule deer, beavers and chipmunks. At night, the area makes for incredible stargazing.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, about a 15 minute drive from Round Hill, boasts one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$22 / night
Don't want to camp in a developed campground? There are many places on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands where you can pitch a tent and practice low impact camping techniques. Dispersed camping is primitive, undevleoped, frontcountry "car camping".
Remember: when dispersed camping, no toilets, trash service, or potable water, are available. Store all food and trash securely, and pack out what you pack in. Practice Leave No Trace.
Please observe the following requirements when dispersed camping:
In some areas, dispersed camping and parking is allowed in designated sites only. Do not create resource damage by driving off-road, beyond designated parking locations, or behind barriers. Parking should be within 30' of site markers where posted. Developed sites, including trailheads and picnic areas, are closed to overnight camping and allow for day use activities only. Tread lightly, and avoid trampling sensitive vegetation. Locate your camp at least 100' from any water source. Use catholes to properly dispose of human and pet waste; bury waste in a cathole at least 6-8" deep and 200’ from any water source. Packing out human and pet waste using self-contained waste disposal systems is encouraged. Campfires are allowed at overnight sites as long as fire restrictions aren’t in place. You may gather small amounts of down, dead wood for a campfire. Use existing fire rings; keep your campfire small and always make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving. No campfires outside of designated overnight sites. BEARS and other wildlife When you go to the mountains and forest, you are in bear county. Do not leave ANY food, trash or other animal attractant unattended. Store all food and trash securely and pack out what you pack in. Failing to do so can result in a fine. Also be aware that; where not otherwise restricted, camping or leaving camping equipment at any location more than 14 days within a continuous 30 day period, and/or occupying any campsite within three miles of any prior camping or equipment location for a combined total of more than 28 days within any continuous 60 day period, is prohibited. Also, leaving camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours is not allowed. In addition; discharging a firearm is prohibited within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area; or across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge. Plan your trip; phone ahead for restrictions and special regulations. Contact your local Ranger District office for more information.
$41 / night
Traveler
The sky is GORGEOUS. The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow. I've never seen so many stars!
Traveler
My sister drove up from Denver Saturday morning. My daughter and I drove from Paonia and met her there. Road was bumpy but manageable in my Outback. Drove down the road and took a hike with the dogs. Great trail. Rained a little but it was not a big deal. Decent amount of traffic on the road throughout the day and into the evening. Really cool to be able to snag a spot around lunchtime on a Saturday.
Scout
Spaces are large and well maintained. Views vary with the spots but all are peaceful. There
Scout
We spent 10 days at the top of the mountain. There were a few people that came in for a night or so, but not even close enough to hear them or see lights. The views are breathtaking! I am from NY. Drove all the way here just too camp. Was not disappointed!!! Can not wait to come back.
Scout
Great site, plenty of room, but there were so many open-range cows wandering around. Really didn’t mind during the day, until they started loudly mooing and screaming during the night. All the reviews here say it was quiet at night, so this must be a new development or we just got unlucky with timing. Never experienced anything like it. Put a damper on what was otherwise a great area for camping
TravelerWe loved it! Very spread out, lots of space. Our camping spot was excellent and provided great views and seclusion. The creek on the map didn’t have any water in it though and the sun was brutal for a few hours.
Scout
Very quiet and bathroom and showers were clean
ScoutWe camped here ahead of whitewater rafting and found a huge, private site. Arrived mid-day Friday and plenty of sites available, definitely filled up through Friday evening. Great views and areas to walk around. Road was in great shape when we visited.
Traveler
Your vehicle will prob need new brakes after this trip. Super beautiful but the road never eases up.
Guide
As usual this was a great place to camp. Site 1 is the most private but furthest from the bathrooms, Site 2/3 are closest together, Site 3 has the very best flat pad with the table, ring and still room for a 10x10 tent or shade tent area. Sites 1-4 have shade, sites 5-8 do not.
Hosts are friendly and helpful, bathrooms cleanish, stalls in good shape.
Trail #800 is pretty sketchy these days due to excessive water erosion. 3' deep and 8" wide troughs to walk along with so much overgrowth it's hard to navigate.
The trail heading North out of the parking lot is great, well maintained and also has hidden 7 dwarfs along the trail to try and find. We did it four times just to make sure we found all 7.
Guide
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.
Guide
Pleasantly surprised. Top notch campground.
Guide
Attention to detail here! Great owners.
GuideIt is gorgeous and so easy to access. From the 285 going north turn left on County road 270 until it becomes the 272 we went straight to the 274. At the cross of 2 National Forests, San Isabel and pike . We arrived around 5 pm on a Wednesday and most of the spots were taken but we were able to find one to fit our 40 feet toy hauler. We went for a hike, there were multiple hiking trails including access to the Colorado Trail. We also rode our mountain bikes on 272, 274A and the 273. It was very quiet and the sky was amazing at night. I highly recommend it if you are traveling on the 285.
TravelerWill definitely be back to this area. Plenty of spots to pick from on memorial day weekend when we rolled in around 5pm. The spot we found had 360 views of mountains. Plenty of open space with trees for shade and hammock hanging. Loved the porta potty option. Dogs loved the freedom and we loved not being on top of other campers.
LegendThey say this is the world’s highest KoA. It’s in the side of a mountain, css as moving loops stretch up the hill, bathroom and shower are at the bottom of the hill! But they do have pizza and will deliver to your site. It was pretty dusty when we were there. Sites are not jammed together, and the hillside does allow for views over other campsites. Hummingbirds buzzed around all day. Close to Cripple Creek and Pikes Peak
GuideAmazing backdrop, plenty of space, we took one of the first camp spots and it still wowed. Here's a video from our stay:
ScoutEverything from friendly faces to taking care of the missing needs of the outdoors. My in-laws and kids absolutly love this place. Not to mention perfect for our disabled daughter.
TravelerWe needed a place to camp on the road. This place sounded good and had the bonus of being next door to the Mt Princeton hot springs. It was in the middle of the holiday weekend and the place was pretty packed but we managed to find a site. There is loads of space in there and great views. We had to do some work to level our vehicle to make the roof tent comfortable as our site was on a slope but we got there. It was quiet despite the many people camping in the vicinity. We really loved the stay.
Legend
Round mountain campground
$20 per night. There are no electrical hook ups or sewer hook ups for big rigs. It looks a little bit like dispersed camping. Each site has a picnic table and a designated fire pit. The sites are pull through in some situations. Not all of them, but some of them. There are restrooms on site with your credibly clean. The camp management seems to do a good job of keeping the area well organized. It’s nestled down in the trees and he’s very pretty and secluded. The issue in this area is that it is all designated for OHV usage so there is some noise. We pulled it on a Thursday afternoon and could see three or four ATVs riding around. The campground has designated quiet hours from 10 PM to 6 AM, but that won’t stop you from getting disturbed during the daytime. The other issue in this area as there is no firewood. They sell bundles for eight dollars at the managers office. My recommendation would be to come well prepared and bring lots of your own firewood. At the time we got in their water pump was also not working, but they were selling bottled water again at the Campground managers station.
Traveler
When our boondocking plans went south, Nancy accommodated us on a late Sunday night without a reservation. She was kind and pleasant even though I’m sure she was tired and didn’t feel like showing us to our site. The place was super clean, very charming, and with much attention to detail. Would definitely stay here again!
ScoutThese sites are very easy to access from the dirt road. No need for 4x4, a sedan could make it in if you don’t mind a few bumps.
The area is surrounded by young aspens, mountain flowers, and rock outcroppings. 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. There is also an ample amount of firewood from the dead, fallen trees. The only thing missing here is a water feature.
We took a short trip to the Happy Meadows campground for some time in the river. It’s close enough that it doesn’t warrant staying at Happy Meadows. There are few sites, they’re really close together, and the road is very busy. Matukat is undoubtedly the better choice in my opinion.
Overall a great camping area. We’ll be back for sure.
LegendMatukat rd dispersed - nr Lake George. People seem to really like it yet it’s incredibly quiet. No OHVs, no gunfire - so refreshing. There are some cows as evidenced by dried cow pats but we didn’t see any. Someone reported they saw moose but again, we saw none. Directions using Google maps were perfect. Got you into the area. Once you reach the coordinates I suggest you keep going up the road for better sites. We found a spot on one of the turn offs and had some of the best views we’ve had while camping this year. See the photos for the views. So the trick is to go up Matukat Road and then start taking the little side roads once you get about 4 miles in. We had between two and three bars of Verizon service at the site but no Verizon service at the main road so it is spotty. We came in on a Tuesday and it looks like we’re just about the only ones out here. There’s one other trailer that we’ve seen near us and there are other campers in bigger rigs right at the very beginning of Matukat road, but you’ve got to stay on the road and just keep going further back to get the absolute best sites and views. The views are incredible. The rocks behind us are absolutely outrageous. There’s good hiking the area as well. The road getting in was doable. We didn’t need to engage the four-wheel-drive so the only thing I would advise is you need some reasonable clearance to get all the way back in here. Other than that this is definitely a site that will be coming back to the many years to come.
Scout
We had a great time in Site #24, camping in a tent. This site is inadequate for an RV or even a camper, as the parking spot is just a widening in the road. But the site was very private and had beautiful views. I left a day early as a new neighbor came to the site across the road and was running his generator a lot….so I just decided to leave….
RangerKinda busy with good access to Browns creek and the Colorado trail, but otherwise quiet if you can squeeze in. Easy for trailers too.
ScoutThis is a great place to boondock. There is even one port-o-potty in summer. Plenty of sites suitable for trailers and RVs.
TravelerThere are at least ten dispersed spots off the road, CC64. They are large spots with fire rings. Three of them are on the creek. Once the wind settled, there were more stars than I've ever seen in my life. Endless views and endless stars - can't beat it!
Also - it's only 5 miles from Valley View if you can't get a reservation there but can get a day pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands is Spillway Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 equestrian camping locations near Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, with real photos and reviews from campers.
