36 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horse camping options near Rand, Colorado are limited, with State Forest State Park offering the primary developed campgrounds in the region. The park encompasses 71,000 acres with several campground areas including North Michigan, Ranger Lakes, and Bockman. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the campground amenities, the extensive trail network makes this area suitable for equestrian use. Pets are allowed throughout the park campgrounds, which typically applies to horses in designated areas. The park features 94 miles of hiking trails, many of which are accessible to equestrians. Ranger Lakes Campground maintains level sites with adequate space for horse trailers, though campers should verify horse accommodations when making reservations.
Laramie River Road Dispersed camping areas provide free alternatives for horse campers seeking more primitive experiences. Located between the main park areas and the Wyoming border, these dispersed sites allow greater flexibility for horse camping setups. Buffalo Pass Dispersed and Stillwater Pass also offer free camping options where horses can be accommodated. The mountain pine beetle infestation has affected many forested areas, resulting in more open, sunny sites throughout the region with limited natural shade. Temperatures drop significantly at night given the elevation near 10,000 feet. Campers should pack all necessary horse supplies as the nearest services are in Walden. Lake Agnes trail provides one of the most scenic riding opportunities in the area, with steep terrain leading to alpine vistas.
"Getting to the campground and visitors center is easy as they are both right off the highways 41 and 14, but it is quite a drive to get to, in general."
"There are campsites on both sides of the lake. On the southern side, a number are situated off the road, minimizing noise and dust."
from $28 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Small campground next to three lakes. One lake has dried up. Beautiful Gould, CO. We also boondock camp in this area as well. Don't miss Lake Agnes. It's at the top of a mountain."
"Ranger Lakes is located a couple miles East of the Visitor Center for State Forest State Park. It is right on highway 14 just west of the Continental Divide at Cameron Pass."
from $36 / night
Check Availability"They have direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River. We visited a little late in the season (August) to catch many fish, but we still had fun. "
"Three dispersed camping locations all completely booked so I chose to stay in this RV Park which is located within Rocky Mountain National park and right next to Arapahoe National Park."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability"The campsite has two entrances - one from the west passing North Michigan Reservoir and one from the South East which is basically from Lake Agnes Trailhead."
"There are lots of great activities to participate in very close by - fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling and more!"
from $28 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Check Availability"Our space was large enough to accommodate our 20 ft travel trailer with our truck next to it, still leaving plenty of room for the picnic table and a chair circle around the fire."
"The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability"We ended up driving too far and just parking next to the lake for the night to camp. Lots of dirt trails near the lake, maybe not for camping but we showed up after driving 6 hours."
"Sites aren’t really marked/but are right next to the reservoir. No fires/water pumps."
"The first stops have more Mountain View’s and the farther you drive is next to the water!"
"Close to town, and had no issues getting our travel trailer into a site. There where some deep ruts getting into our site. Most of the sites are shouldn’t have issues with trees falling."
"Options for camping in campgrounds, close to others, or more alone. Options to camp near the lake, river, or on dry land.options for large or small camping areas. Peaceful and beautiful."
"There is a camp ground near by with a porta-potty and there is a small market about 10-20 miles away."
"This was our first stop on a week long road trip from Colorado Springs to the Oregon Coast and, honestly, we could have just hung out there and saved all the miles."
"Some spots are wetter while others are not close to stagnant water at all. Many aspens, great trail network for mountain biking or trail running/ hiking."
TravelerGreat spot for car camping in Colorado except its distance from Denver. It’s a trek! Takes at least 4 hours (that’s if you’re lucky). Lots to do. Great fishing, beautiful hiking trails to a water fall, and trails for the RZR near by.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground with lots of family-friendly activities to do. They have direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River. We visited a little late in the season (August) to catch many fish, but we still had fun. We found some tailwaters below the big lakes and caught some trout on the fly rods.
This site is minutes away from an entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. We got up early and hiked a trail in RMNP and had a few moose walk right past us. It is also close by to the major lakes of the area.
They rent ATVs and lots of people bring their own horses to this campground to enjoy the many back-country trails that begin at the back of the property and go high up into the mountains.
Facilities were well kept and clean.
LegendSmall campground next to three lakes. One lake has dried up. Beautiful Gould, CO. We also boondock camp in this area as well. Don't miss Lake Agnes. It's at the top of a mountain. Not many people get to see this. I grew up in this are. Teller City is a nearby ghost town, and the Rand store is a time warp to the 1800's.
GuideBig Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August. It's camping at over 9,000ft elevation and requires for you to be extra prepared for snow even in the summer months, bears, mountain lions, mosquitos, aggressive horse flies, leeches, strong winds, thunder storms and altitude sickness. They do provide water which tastes fresh like newly melted snow. You can boat, fish, even hunt at some spots with a permit, hike, and swim at your own risk (can be cold, leeches, snakes). It is truly beautiful up here and the drive up the Poudre river makes it worth it. You can also spend the day rafting down the river or fishing.
TravelerThis is a bare bones remote campground with assigned sites and vault toilets. There is no potable water on site, so bring plenty of water for your stay. The 18 sites are on a first come basis and can't be reserved.
I don't own horses, but have seen some in the area so it is equestrian friendly. The campground is located in a canyon with high cliffs and there are several hiking and backpacking trails that branch off from the campground. The south fork of the white river runs through the campground affording good fly fishing.
While you can get to the campground in a standard automobile the gravel road is rutted in places as you get close to the campground and can become dicey in heavy rain or snow for the last mile or two.
I have been there numerous times as early as July and as late as September when snow can be expected.
LegendThree dispersed camping locations all completely booked so I chose to stay in this RV Park which is located within Rocky Mountain National park and right next to Arapahoe National Park. Very good price compared to other RV resorts and surrounded by beautiful flowers and mountains and silence. They have showers and laundry and free coffee and garbage dump, and a small country store, along with many equestrian activities for adults and kids and it's very homey feeling.
GuideAlthough this site is a no water/ electric site and next to the horses, we had a blast! Especially the kids. The site was a great size! We went horse back riding, hung out by the river, had s’mores, and even went for an ATV ride!! I was most impressed by how clean the bathrooms were, especially with the current COVID situation! Thank you Winding River Resort for keeping the place clean!
ScoutA lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV! Options for everyone from cabins, to FHU RV sites (limited and not the ideal locations, but still nice), water/electric sites and tenting areas. Even Conestoga wagons! There is horseback riding on site and we loved watching the horses run in and out each morning/evening and you just have to cross the road for a pretty hike along the Colorado River in RMNP (no dogs on the trails). We camped with our Great Dane - very dog friendly with bag stations around the park. Friendly and helpful staff, a small shop with supplies and souvenirs, a cute little petting zoo with goats, sheep, and pigs.
GuideThis is a great park. I camped in late July. With the exception of a few rain showers, the weather was great. This campground has all the privacy you would expect yet provides easy access to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountian National Forest. The Laramie County Staff that were on site were kind and helpful. I even had the chance to see some elk walk through while picking up firewood at the office. There are miles of trails within the park if you choose not to venture out to the National Forest. I will 100% be staying at this park again! Group sites and equestrian sites are available too.
State Forest State Park encompasses nearly 71,000 acres of terrain surrounding Rand, Colorado. Located at an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet, the area experiences significant temperature drops at night even during summer months. Horse camping opportunities extend beyond developed campgrounds to include several dispersed camping areas where equestrian visitors can establish more customized setups.
Alpine lake hiking: Lake Agnes Trail provides access to scenic alpine vistas. "It was a steep climb but well worth it. We alternated looking at the beauty of Lake Agnes and watching the skiers hiking to the top and skiing what was left of the snow," notes a visitor to North Michigan Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple reservoirs and streams offer fishing throughout the area. "We were able to paddle board and fish right from our campsite, and had a wonderful fresh trout dinner," reports a camper at North Michigan Campground. The clear waters at Ranger Lakes Campground are particularly noted for fishing with one visitor commenting, "BEAUTIFUL clear waters, PLENTY of trout, and great trails through the woods to explore."
Wildlife observation: The region supports abundant wildlife including moose. "We stopped in the visitor center for maps and hiking recommendations," recounts a North Michigan visitor. "We were ecstatic, and so happy we made the impromptu, unplanned trip out to State Forest State Park! We returned to the Moose Visitors Center to share the experience with the rangers (they record the specifics of moose sightings in the area on a board)."
Reservoir access: The North Michigan area offers waterfront campsites. "We had site 221 which is right above the water with its own little trail going down to the reservoir," shares a visitor at North Michigan Campground. This water access provides multiple recreational opportunities without having to leave your campsite.
Secluded options: Buffalo Pass Dispersed camping provides more remote experiences. "Lots of opportunities to find a spot far from everyone else," notes one camper. Another adds, "Secluded and private with beautiful views." These dispersed sites require higher clearance vehicles but reward with privacy.
Cabin alternatives: Winter cabin options exist for those seeking shelter from harsh conditions. "We stayed in cabin #3 and it was an awesome experience! We had room enough for 4 people and 3 dogs and didn't feel like we were on top of each other. The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long," reports a winter visitor at North Michigan Campground.
Beetle kill impact: Pine beetle infestation has significantly altered the forest composition. "The campground forest is being decimated by the Mountain pine beetle so the dead trees are being removed. This leaves a very stark deserted look," notes a camper at Ranger Lakes Campground. This reduction in tree cover affects both shade and privacy between sites.
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common during summer months. A Stillwater Pass visitor advises, "A lot of the spots have fire pits made by rocks but bring wood!" While another Buffalo Pass camper notes, "Currently a stage 2 fire ban so no campfires allowed." Always check current restrictions before your visit.
Water availability: Drinking water access varies by location. A Ranger Lakes camper advises, "If you have an RV make sure to fill your tank at the maintenance center 6 miles up the road." At North Michigan Campground, a visitor cautions, "There is no water directly in this loop of the campground so make sure you fill up near the cabins before driving up."
Animal attractions: Multiple campgrounds feature wildlife viewing opportunities. "The petting zoo was adorable," reports a camper at Winding River Resort. Another family notes, "Lots of activities to do. Loved the petting zoo and stream to swim in. Also really enjoyed the horseback riding and ATV ride."
Varied activities: The region supports multiple recreational options. "My 4 year olds threw rocks in the reservoir, they biked on nearby trails. The bathrooms were clean too. My dog was able to cool off in the reservoir on a hike," shares a North Michigan visitor, highlighting the range of activities suitable for different ages.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Ranger Lakes, a visitor observed, "I wish there were facilities since there really aren't any within most of the campgrounds of State Forest State Park." This contrasts with developed campgrounds like Winding River Resort where a camper noted, "The bathrooms are very clean and that's something that's very important to me."
Site selection: Bockman Campground offers level sites suitable for larger rigs. "This campground is large and flat. There are lots of spots that are relatively close together, but it seems quite spacious," notes one visitor. These sites accommodate horse trailers with sufficient turning radius.
Hookup locations: RV amenities vary by campground section. "We were in the North Michigan Reservoir loop for three wonderful days after the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Perfect weather and beautiful scenery. The campground was well maintained, even after the busy weekend," reports one camper, noting the electrical hookups available in certain loops.
Weather preparation: Elevation affects camping conditions significantly. Preparing for temperature swings is essential as the area sits at approximately 9,000-10,000 feet. The lack of tree cover due to beetle kill means sites receive full sun exposure during the day but experience significant temperature drops at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rand, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rand, CO is bockman Campground — State Forest State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rand, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 equestrian camping locations near Rand, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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