J
James H. B.
Traveler
TravelerSugarloaf Campground
Very nice
It’s very nice except for when the conveyor belt is running from the Henderson mine And there is no water available
Equestrian Camping near Red Cliff, CO
1 campground with availability next weekend
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Dispersed camping opportunities near Red Cliff, Colorado provide multiple options for equestrians exploring the surrounding national forest lands. Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West allows horses and offers free camping with fire rings in a location convenient to mountain trails. The area permits both tent and RV camping, with access points suitable for horse trailers. Sites accommodate multiple vehicles without designated horse facilities, requiring equestrians to bring portable corrals or use highlines for securing their animals overnight. Campground reviews indicate the views of surrounding mountains are spectacular when the wind dies down with the setting sun.
Located within reasonable driving distance, Clear Creek Reservoir provides primitive camping facilities with vault toilets and picnic tables while welcoming equestrians. The reservoir area connects to several trail systems suitable for day rides. Horse owners need to practice leave-no-trace principles for manure management as no dedicated disposal facilities exist. Trailer parking requires careful placement on relatively level ground near campsites. The surrounding trails offer access to high alpine terrain and connect to the Arkansas headwaters area, providing diverse riding experiences from beginner-friendly paths to challenging mountain routes. Most sites accommodate up to two vehicles with trailers, though larger rigs may find limited suitable options. Seasonal considerations include summer thunderstorms that can make trails temporarily impassable and early snowfall that often closes higher elevation routes by mid-September.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Red Cliff (20)
1. Lakeview Campground
"The campground’s location on the hillside allows for an excellent view of Twin Lakes and the surrounding mountains. Also close to the South Mt Elbert and Colorado Trail for easy hiking."
"high altitude. no showers, so come prepared. the camp manager is very helpful and gave us great tips for the mountain hike. it is some distance from the trailhead (although there is a trail from the campsite"
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
2. Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West
"The Colorado trail/CDT passes close by and was a great evening hike from our camp. We ended up leaving around 9pm because there were 3-4 campfires around us, one super smoky and we have a baby."
"Great spot to camp, saw hikers off in the distance a few times but overall all to myself. This site definitely requires high clearance! There were quite a few campsites nearby which were taken."
3. Clear Creek Reservoir
"This is exactly what we were looking for in Colorado, thanks to the previous reviewer we found it by dumb luck! Primitive camping at its finest. Absolutely stunning views."
"We were able to find dispersed camping if you keep driving down the road past the private ranch. There was a fire pit, shade, and a short walk to the river. Super dusty though."
4. Sugarloaf Campground
"Located in the Arapaho National Forest, Sugarloaf is a small campground found on the Williams Fork of the Colorado River. The valley was once heavily forested but is much more open these days."
"This campground is perfect for those who live in Boulder or the nearby surrounding areas (Louisville, Superior, Lafayette, Longmont, Gunbarrel)."
Check Availabilityfrom $19 / night
5. Guanella Pass
"There are 4 sites that are down by the creek in the trees that are walk-in only but have the most space between them and are right on the creek. They are my favorite spots on site."
"Close hikes near by including one of Colorado’s 14ers."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 / night
6. Kenosha Pass Campground
"This was a great stay, conveniently located just down 285 for a short get away during the work week. We stayed for 3 days and during that time there were only a few other campers here."
"Super easy access for a quick trip to hit the Colorado Trail. We stayed in sight 22, and realized the map on the reservation system was a bit skewed as it is very close to the bathrooms."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
7. Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting, LLC
8. Lodgepole - Jefferson
"The Lodgepole and all of the Jefferson campgrounds provide great access to the Colorado trail. I’ve camped here several times, but be sure to catch it in the fall! The colors are amazing."
"Wr loved the easy access to the Colorado Trail as well. The negatives were that we were not expecting so many generators to be running while we were there."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
9. Pine valley ranch
"We pulled in at night in July and had four spots with different RVs/Pop-Ups...kids had plenty of space, river was rushing, two hiking trails, in between both campsites. Not great for fishing."
from $22 / night
10. Kirby Gulch
"About 15-20 of us camped at this site (#19) the weekend after the 4th of July, and it was an incredible, mostly private location."
"When you pull in off the main road, the road turns into a washboard and you drive up into a meadow with multiple sites for RV’s and tents. The sites surround the outside of the meadow."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 59 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 9 min from Boulder, CO
- 2 hrs 44 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 2 hrs 47 min from Colorado Springs, CO
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Red Cliff, CO
156 Reviews of 20 Red Cliff Campgrounds
Marie H.TravelerTwin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West
Breathtaking views
This is the third site at the top of the hill overlooking both lakes with breathtaking views. You get everything up here including fishing, hiking, four wheeling anything that you need is right here.
Tom C.TravelerLakeview Campground
Nice overall site.
Good dispersed camping above Twin Lakes. Lots of sites, many have lake views. Sites are close together.
- JJodie R.
GuideNorth Cottonwood Trailhead Dispersed Camping
Good hiking
Found a spot with lots of space and shade and .4 miles from north cottonwood trail head. Road was not bad. Might be pretty busy on a weekend.
Desiree R.
ScoutYork Gulch Road
Google helped me find it
Google “camp always Choose camp adventures” and it will lead you to it, there were residential area drive thru also you will see a “private” sign but it’s only for one side keep going there’s a lot back there. Lots of atvs driving thru the night. My vehicle is awd Kia sorento, took son and mom nice area beautiful sky!
S M.TravelerYork Gulch Road
Somewhat Confusing
Vehicle: KIA Soul (FWD- slightly more clearance than a standard sedan, but not as high up as a full size SUV) Campsite type: TENT ONLY, not even mini trailer friendly! . Beautiful views on the way back down from camp, somewhat secluded- quiet. There are residences along the way up, on neighboring roads, AND there's a commercial camp of somekind nearby. Verizon service is largely non existent. You might get lucky and catch one bar. Might
ROAD: Dirt, but not "off road trail"- again people live off of this road so its somewhat maintained. BEWARE OF RAIN WASHOUT AREAS, DIPS, AND WASHBOARD. Do NOT try to take some low riding car like a Tesla up this. Heck, dont even take a cybertruck (too big and clunky to fit in tight spaces). Signs say NO OFFROAD VEHICLES, meaning this is a road road, not a backwoods trail. You'll pass an old (but functioning) fire station on the way up, the pinned location on this post is where camp sites are. It doesnt "look like it" so you might get confused and keep going. If you do, you end up in a turnaround area out by that "Camp Always Choose Adventure" place that shows up on the gps map, a field, more housing, and a road that goes off to somewhere else in the mountains. Theres lots of roads out here so make sure you dont turn off the gulch road once youre on it. Without a high clearance vehicle, youre going to go about 15mph tops due to the washboard and dips once you get up higher. The first half is pretty smooth. If its rainy/muddy, I wouldnt chance it without a 4WD or AWD. Drive safely/carefully- ROAD DOES NARROW IN SOME PLACES/AROUND SOME CORNERS. Do not drive like Denver drivers in town. You'll either hit someone going the opposite way or force them over the edge and off the mountain side. I had a couple of 4WD vehicles come racing around corners. Be kind. Be smart. Respect that this is not a normal road and just BEHAVE.
SITES: There are rock stacked fire rings and some cleared space among the trees around them. Thats it. Woods camping. Nothing is marked, so I couldnt tell if there were others than the few where I stayed. There are signs up saying private property around the camp sites, but theyre not blocked off and are supposed to be on Forestry Service land 🤷♂️ Nobody came out to say anything. During the day some people take their 4WD vehicles out on the other roads and you might run into them leaving when youre going up the gulch road. At night its dead silent. Some people do take dirtbikes thru the area to get out to their trails, but they didnt stay in the area running laps or anything like that.
PETS: If you bring them, I wouldnt let them run off leash. There is hunting land further down the road, that Camp Always Choose Adventure place, lots of houses, and lots of roads that ARE well used. Its not safe for dogs etc to run free any more than on a neighborhood block in town. Besides, if other campers set up, you dont want your pets running over to strangers. Long tie out ropes/cables will be just fine. Wrap one end around the base of a tree and now your pet goes nowhere.
WILDLIFE: Considering all of the human settlements and activity, there doesnt seem to be that big of a threat. Youre not that isolated or "remote". Idaho Springs is a short drive of about 15 min or so.
Kiersten V.ScoutLakeview Campground
Amazing get away!
We stayed for 2 nights and loved it! The views are absolutely out of this world! The hosts were super nice and the spots were well kept! Bathrooms were nice as well! The surrounding area was lovely too only a 30 minute drive to Leadville and we went to the lake and did some fishing only wish we could have stayed longer!
Kristopher V.TravelerDeep Creek Trailhead Camp
Great place for tent camping.
This place is ideal for tent camping and set up for that vs RV/campers. The sites have parking areas then walk down to the creek with fire rings and tent areas. There are sighs fires in rings only so if you park your rv up by the road no fire for you. Not a big deal but the road is relatively busy to park and camp by.
- JJennie V.Scout
York Gulch Road
No RV
Great place for off roading and possibly tent but definitely not RV or trailer
Guide to Red Cliff
Dispersed camping opportunities near Red Cliff, Colorado extend beyond the options mentioned for equestrians. The area sits at elevations ranging from 8,600 to 11,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with afternoon thunderstorms common from July through early September. Snow typically remains at higher elevations until late June, with early October snowfall common above 9,000 feet.
What to do
Hiking access from camp: Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping connects directly to multiple trail systems including the Continental Divide Trail. "The Colorado trail/CDT passes close by and was a great evening hike from our camp," notes Lyds F., who found plenty of options despite arriving on a Friday evening when the more scenic spots were taken.
Fishing opportunities: Clear Creek Reservoir provides direct fishing access with minimal hiking required. "Options for paddle boarding or fishing here, desert-lile but surrounded by mountains. Also a good amount of shade and cute geese," reports Katie H., who appreciated the free camping and proximity to water activities.
Fall foliage viewing: Kenosha Pass Campground offers exceptional fall color viewing from established sites. "Easy drive from Denver and right at Kenosha Pass which has beautiful fall colors. We bought a new pop up tent and had to try it out arrived in the dark and awoke to beautiful fall colors," mentions Marty L., who found the location convenient despite some highway noise.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Lakeview Campground, campers appreciate the thoughtful layout. "The campground's location on the hillside allows for an excellent view of Twin Lakes and the surrounding mountains. Also close to the South Mt Elbert and Colorado Trail for easy hiking," writes Alex H., highlighting both the views and trail connectivity.
Cell service availability: Unlike many remote locations, some sites maintain connectivity. "Verizon service worked surprisingly well at our site in Loop B, which was a nice bonus for staying connected," reports Arthur Z., who stayed at Lakeview Campground during a busy holiday weekend.
Accessible wildlife viewing: Sugarloaf Campground provides opportunities to observe wildlife from camp. "I was elated to see the wildlife in the area throughout the day which included some very cute prairie dogs, a very curious humming bird who was very impressed with my pink shirt and some beautiful songbirds," shares Crystal C., who selected a riverside campsite.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Kirby Gulch, "Super bumpy roads - must have an SUV or truck. As you drive in, you're met with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains," advises Katelyn W., who still found sites available on Memorial Day weekend.
Weekend crowds: Expect significantly different experiences on weekdays versus weekends. "This campground was completely full the weekend of Memorial Day but most of the sites were empty during the week days," reports Hayley K. about Kirby Gulch.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans often affect the area from mid-summer through fall. "The sites are very basic, you will have to literally bring everything you want with you, no tables or lantern hooks, no electricity, not even trashcans," states Crystal C. about Clear Creek Reservoir.
Tips for camping with families
Trail access for kids: Guanella Pass offers family-friendly hiking. "There are some excellent trails starting very close to the campground, many going along the continental divide," notes Amber A., who found the creek added to the campsite's appeal for families.
Bug preparation: Summer months require insect protection. "Our site was near a creek that was fun to explore and the woods all around also held adventure. But make sure you bring bug spray. The mosquitoes are out in full force and they're huge," cautions Cynthia W. about Guanella Pass.
Multi-day activities: Plan varied activities when camping with children. "This is a small campground that will fill up nearly every day since it's so beautiful here all year. You can reserve in advance; do so if possible," recommends Amber A., who appreciated the basic amenities and privacy between sites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: At Lodgepole - Jefferson, RVers need to choose carefully. "The spots are spaced well on the outside portion of the loop. On the inside of the loop they are closer together and mostly tent only spaces. Trailer sites are small for sure- I wouldn't trust anything over 29ish feet in here," advises Sarah F.
Road challenges: Access roads often present difficulties for trailers. "The dirt road on the way in 2.5-3.5miles is BUMPY. Really not a big deal unless you have a travel trailer, which we did- it was some slowwww going for a while," shares Sarah F., who still found the location worth the challenging drive.
Generator etiquette: Noise considerations matter in mixed-use campgrounds. "We expected plenty of people given that it was 4th of July. There were a couple very loud large groups and some RV's that ran their generators all day long," notes Cynthia W., who preferred the quieter atmosphere at nearby alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Red Cliff, CO?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Red Cliff, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Red Cliff, CO is Lakeview Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
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What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Red Cliff, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Red Cliff, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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