Best Equestrian Camping near Placerville, CO

Lower Hermosa Campground provides horse and cattle stalls for equestrians camping near Placerville. The campground features clean bathrooms, large campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, and accommodates tents, RVs, and glamping setups. Located in a high-elevation, shady area, the campground maintains a cooler temperature, sometimes chilly at night even in early May. Alcohol is not permitted at Lower Hermosa, but pets are allowed. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. Firewood is available on-site, and the camp hosts are noted for their friendliness and helpfulness, sometimes providing water to campers. The facilities are well-maintained with clean unisex toilets that are regularly serviced.

The Hermosa Creek Trail connects directly to the campground, offering excellent riding opportunities through beautiful scenery. Ute Creek Trailhead provides another horse-friendly option with dedicated facilities for equestrians, including halter points and tack bars specifically designed for horse camping. The wide-open spaces accommodate horse trailers comfortably. Numerous foot and horse trails branch out from the campground, allowing for varied riding experiences. The trailhead facilities include clean, well-stocked unisex bathrooms. Located right on the river, these campgrounds offer convenient water access for horses and riders. The surrounding high bushes serve as effective wind blocks, providing natural shelter for horses and campers alike. Both locations operate on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out basis for waste management.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Placerville, Colorado (16)

    1. Thunder Road Dispersed

    1 Review
    Norwood, CO
    15 miles

    "Thunder Trails are it!

    Easy to get to, well maintained gravel roads, each site is designated and has a fire ring, super quiet and private, and the trails are fun cross country style loops."

    2. Little Molas Lake Campground

    14 Reviews
    Silverton, CO
    27 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."

    3. Anvil Dispersed Campground

    3 Reviews
    Silverton, CO
    23 miles
    Website

    "Good road quality, hard packed gravel, river right next to the sites, 14 day camp limit"

    "We stayed two nights next to the creek. It was crowded but still peaceful with beautiful views. There was quite a bit of dust but still worth the stay"

    4. Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort

    20 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    44 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."

    5. Silver Jack Campground

    5 Reviews
    Ridgway, CO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 537-8888

    $20 - $275 / night

    "Beautiful area around Silver Jack Reservoir with scrub brush low turning to pine forest and huge aspen glades as you climb."

    "Quite a drive up but well worth it. Nearly in July (Sunday-Tuesday). Aspens everywhere, and trails right off our site. Clean bathrooms easy access to water."

    6. Lower Hermosa Campground

    12 Reviews
    San Juan National Forest, CO
    40 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."

    7. Mill Creek

    8 Reviews
    Lake City, CO
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 642-4953

    $20 / night

    "It is located away from Lake City that it feels quiet and ties neatly into local 4x4 roads and mountain passes."

    "Nestled in pine trees alongside the lake fork of the Gunnison river. Most sites have tons of privacy. All have picnic tables and bear boxes. First-come first-serve. Very clean vault toilet restrooms."

    8. Target Tree Campground

    14 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    47 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"

    9. Transfer Campground

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

    $24 - $75 / night

    10. mcphee recreation complex

    4 Reviews
    Dolores, CO
    45 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!!"

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Placerville, CO

96 Reviews of 16 Placerville 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.

  • CC C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2021

    Ute Creek Trailhead #819

    Only ones here, perfect isolation.

    Only people here, but beautiful spot. Woke up with a light dusting of snow but it thawed by 10:30. Bathrooms were clean, unisex toilet last cleaned on oct 2nd, and well stocked. Used as a horse campground complete with halter point and tack bar with wide open spaced for trailers. Loads of foot and horse trails. High bushes make great wind blocks. Right on the river! Pack it in, pack it out.

  • 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.

  • Jason G.
    May. 1, 2021

    Silver Jack Campground

    Great San Juan Getaway

    Beautiful area around Silver Jack Reservoir with scrub brush low turning to pine forest and huge aspen glades as you climb. Highly suggest taking 858/Cimarron road over the pass to highway 50/Cimarron Colorado in the fall due to the extensive Aspen population. This is where I grew up so camped in the area dozens of times at least.

  • 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!

  • 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.


Guide to Placerville

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

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

  • The Little Molas Lake Campground provides a welcoming environment for horse campers, featuring large sites suitable for trailers and easy access to nearby trails.
  • At Mill Creek, you'll find clean vault toilets and a peaceful setting next to the creek, perfect for cooling off after a day of riding.
  • Silver Jack Campground offers spacious sites and friendly hosts, making it an excellent choice for those looking to camp with horses.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy the scenic trails at Lower Hermosa Campground, where you can hike, bike, or ride right from your campsite.
  • The Transfer Campground is a great base for exploring nearby hiking trails and enjoying the beauty of the aspens.
  • Experience the tranquility of Thirty Mile, where you can fish and stargaze after a day of riding along the Rio Grande.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites

  • Target Tree Campground features well-maintained sites with plenty of room for horses and easy access to pit toilets.
  • The Ute Creek Trailhead #819 is designed for horse camping, complete with a tack bar and ample trails for riding.
  • At Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities while having your horse nearby, thanks to their spacious and accommodating sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Placerville, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Placerville, CO is Thunder Road Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near Placerville, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.