Soap Creek Campground sits at over 10,000 feet elevation in the Gunnison National Forest, approximately 30 minutes from Ridgway, Colorado. The area features diverse terrain ranging from alpine meadows to dense forests with several creeks providing natural water sources. Winter conditions typically close most access roads from October through early May, with summer high temperatures rarely exceeding 80°F.
What to do
Mountain biking from camp: Access the Thunder Trails system directly from Thunder Road Dispersed sites. "There aren't many places where you can camp in a cool pine tree forest, hop on your mtb or dirt bike, and ride right from camp. Thunder Trails are it!" according to one rider who appreciated the "fun cross country style loops."
Explore alpine lakes: Visit Silver Jack Reservoir near Silver Jack Campground. "The reservoir isn't visible from the campground but there's a trail in the campground that leads to a scenic overlook with a great vista of the area," notes Erik S. The reservoir prohibits motorized boats, making it ideal for peaceful paddling or fishing.
Trail riding with horses: Numerous trails connect to equestrian-friendly areas throughout Gunnison National Forest. Many horse riders prefer camping at Mill Creek which offers "access to fishing, hiking, and ATV trails" according to Sarah M. who notes the campground is "nestled in pine trees alongside the lake fork of the Gunnison river."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers at Mill Creek Campground report regular sightings of local wildlife. "We saw Moose and Elk," reports one family who spent five days at the campground. The creek access makes it particularly good for wildlife spotting during early morning hours.
Creek-side relaxation: At Anvil Dispersed Campground, visitors appreciate the water access. "We stayed two nights next to the creek. It was crowded but still peaceful with beautiful views," writes Bonnie B. Sites on both sides of the creek offer different sun exposure options.
Star gazing: The limited light pollution makes horse campgrounds near Ridgway, Colorado excellent for astronomy. "If you like star gazing this is the perfect place as their is no light pollution," notes Evelyn R. about Soap Creek Campground. The high elevation contributes to exceptionally clear night skies.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many horse camping areas requires navigating unpaved roads. The route to Soap Creek Campground is "up a 9 mile dirt road" according to Colleen M., while Lower Hermosa access "is on a rock dirt road that goes from single to double lane off and on."
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities. Little Molas Lake has "vault toilets, no potable water" according to Christopher K., and many dispersed sites have no amenities at all. Red Creek dispersed sites have "a fire ring" but require using facilities at nearby established campgrounds.
Weather preparedness: High elevation means significant temperature fluctuations. "It was still rather cold out in the area" notes Matt S. about Soap Creek in late May. Diego R. mentions Little Molas Lake sits at "12000 feet or so in the San Juan national forest," requiring proper cold-weather gear even in summer.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Kids enjoy creek access at several campgrounds. At Soap Creek Campground, one visitor found that "kids and dog enjoyed the river and its hidden swimming holes!" Another family at Mill Creek loved having "a spot next to the creek so our dogs could swim and drink. Although cold, the kids loved playing in the creek with their rain boots on."
Wildlife education: Teach children about local wildlife safely. "We saw deer and a fox, lots of Monarch butterflies," reports Mike S. from Silver Jack. Several campgrounds provide good opportunities for spotting animals from safe distances.
Spacing considerations: Look for sites with room for activities. Glenna L. found Soap Creek Campground's site 8 "large enough to accommodate our large tent and two vehicles...with room enough to spare to play washers!" Sites with extra space allow children to explore while staying within view.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many horse campgrounds near Ridgway have limited space for larger rigs. At Little Molas Lake Campground, one RVer found "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."
Elevation considerations: High altitudes affect vehicle performance. One RVer at Little Molas Lake noted their "elevation is about 10,300 and posed a problem for our generator that caused severe spark-plug fouling. But, re-jetting the carburetor from a #61 to #58 solved the problem."
Road navigation: Plan your route carefully for larger vehicles. Lower Hermosa Campground has proven accessible even with larger rigs, as one camper notes they "drove a 21foot bus with a 16x7 tandem axle trailer" successfully to the campground, despite the occasionally narrow access road.
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