Best Equestrian Camping near San Luis, CO
Looking for a place to camp near San Luis with your horse? Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Equestrian Sites Near San Luis, CO (9)
1. Rio Costilla Park
Red River, New Mexico8 Reviews•23 Photos•199 SavesRio Costilla ~ Pristine Wilderness is located in Northern Taos County, New Mexico. Lush forests offer Spring & Summer Recreation through Labor Day Weekend and are a Hunter’s Paradise throughout the year.
Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Bike Riding, Rock Hounding, and just plain Relaxing are among many activities to be enjoyed during warmer months of the year in Rio Costilla Park.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
$30 / night
2. Purgatoire Campground
Weston, Colorado6 Reviews•17 Photos•51 SavesOverview
Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce.Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.
Recreation
The North Fork Trail # 1309 is located on the north end of the campground and offers non-motorized access to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The 5-mile trail delights with mountain vistas and shade from forested terrain. The river, which is creek-sized at these upper reaches, provides opportunities for anglers to cast for trout.
Natural Features
The campground is in an aspen and conifer forest near the North Fork River at an elevation of 9,800 feet. The river, also known as the Purgatoire River, flows 196 miles to the confluence of the Arkansas River. Pike-San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby towns of Stonewall and Cuchara offer shopping and restaurants.
Charges & Cancellations
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.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
$23 / night
3. Cimarron Campground
Red River, New Mexico10 Reviews•46 Photos•152 SavesOverview
Cimarron Campground is located in the scenic Valle Vidal within Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, at an elevation of 9,300 feet. The sites are tucked among spruce, aspen and fir trees, and the camp offers an open range feel. Visitors have opportunities to enjoy a variety of recreational activities in a picturesque setting. Viewing wildlife and simply relaxing in the mountain air are popular activities.
Recreation
Anglers can fish for Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo. Nearby Shuree Ponds offers excellent fishing. The smaller pond is a fishing hole for kids 12 and under. The main pond is stocked with rainbow trout and is also popular for float tubing. The area around the campground is open to horseback riding, and there are few maintained trails. Elk and deer hunting is excellent.
Natural Features
Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres within the Carson National Forest. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Big game animals roam the Carson, including mule deer, elk, antelope, black bear, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Many species of smaller animals and songbirds can also been found in the forest. Cimarron Campground is located within the beautiful Valle Vidal, a Spanish term meaning "Valley of Life," of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Shuree Ponds, Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo are all near the campground, offering excellent fishing.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
$22 / night
5. The Chicken Ranch
Antonito, Colorado2 Reviews•2 Photos•4 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
$20 - $65 / night
6. Mccrystal Campground
Ute Park, New Mexico1 Review•5 Photos•20 SavesThese 55 sites in Valle Vidal elk/bear country are a great hunting, hiking, fishing destination.From the town of Cimarron, drive 5 miles northeast on Highway 64 to Cerrososo Canyon.__Follow this canyon approximately 21 miles to the Valle Vidal Unit Boundary. The route is__marked by signs. From the boundary, travel 7 miles on Forest Service Road 1950. These__graveled roads are not maintained during the rainy season and may be passable only with a__four wheel drive vehicle.
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Toilets
7. The Mesita Ranch
Be the first to review!Costilla, New Mexico•1 Save- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$10 - $11 / night
8. Huerfano State Wildlife Area
Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve, Colorado1 Review•36 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
9. Holbrook Road
Be the first to review!Blanca, Colorado•8 Saves- Pets
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Recent Equestrian Reviews in San Luis
29 Reviews of 9 San Luis Campgrounds
- aanthony Z.
Scout
Rio Costilla Park
Labor Day
Stayed two nights and loved every minute. Took inner tubes and rode them down the stream!
Amanda S.
Traveler
Sacred White Shell Mountain Campground
Great for a night
My husband and I stayed here for a night just passing through. This is only about 12 miles from the Great Sand Dunes National Park and also on the way the Crater Lake. There are several dispersed campsites. We had a UHaul trailer we were pulling and it was easy to get to a campsite. All campsites seems you would be able to get to with a RV or a 2 wheel car. We did not do any exploring but I'm sure hiking is great.
Kyle T.ScoutHuerfano State Wildlife Area
Removed, but not much else to do
This is a wonderfully isolated, dispersed camping area. There are group sites and individual ones, scattered bathrooms, and a few picnic tables. Not much to do nearby, but the campsite is beautiful.
- ddrewTraveler
Cimarron Campground
Great remote time
Took my boys camping and had a great time. We went June 2 and the water was not on yet. The facilities were very clean and the staff agent was present and available. We had no issues. It is a long way down a dirt road but well worth the drive to be remote. No cell service at the camp site but a short 5 min drive back to the first cattle guard allowed for service to multiple cell providers. A short beautiful hike to the ponds allowed for some fishing for the kids. All artificial lures and barbless hooks. It’s not glamping but is some great camping!
Ken M.Traveler
Mccrystal Campground
Remote camping with plenty of wildlife to see
A remote location and popular with horse campers and hunters. The campground has sites with horse corrals installed. The campground was quiet and mostly clean. There are pit toilets on site and well maintained. Level spots with good separation. Nice hiking accross some flat lands and a smal creek runs near by. Early one morning we saw a herd of elk down in a valley near a turn out off the road. Bears frequent the area trying to raid the garbage bins during the night. Makes tent camping a bit unnerving. If you want to explore the area, this is good place to camp. It takes an hour to get to the campsite on a graveled road off the highway out of Cimerron. 25mph was best speed to go to handle the washboard road to the campsite.
- TTerryTraveler
Rio Costilla Park
Dispersed............ but not. Worth the trip!
My wife and I spent 3 days and 2 nights at Rio Costillo and really enjoyed our time. We are typically dispersed campers, so paying to camp is a bit of a departure. The fee to camp has increased to $30 per night, but we decided to give it try. It was probably more about what we didn't experience that we enjoyed the most. There is NO FIREWORKS permitted and NO ATV's permitted. Thus, a pleasant and quiet camp trip. There have been no recent fires in the area, so the views were beautiful!. Not sure how many head of cattle roam the park, but they could care less about you and do not pose any threat. The sites are spread apart so much that it feels like dispersed camping. Portable toilets are close to all sites, but no running water. The lakes were closed at the time of our visit (clearing the road of fallen trees we were told). Most of the sites were close to running streams of water, though we only fished in the Rio Costilla outside the park entrance. The fees are $30 per vehicle/night and $10 to fish per person per day. No fee to fish in the river outside of the park, only a NM license or out of state permit.
Jade T.TravelerCimarron Campground
Beautiful!
We stayed July 1st-5th, 2021. Beautiful location in a place I wasn’t expecting it to be sooo green! Very relaxing and remote as there is zero service. It was perfect & exactly what we were looking for. Vault toilets are well kept and within good proximity to most sites. The grass was about knee high, so yard games/ activities weren’t possible. The hiking trail to the lake was reasonable and not too inclined/strenuous. It rained only in the afternoons but everyday.
- KKathy W.
Guide
Purgatoire Campground
Purgatoire Site #8
This was a beautiful peaceful camp ground. Very quiet. It has a pit toilet which was decent - better than having to use or portable. No cell phone service.
- JJeff T.
RangerPurgatoire Campground
Fantastic high mountain FS campground
I can understand rating this campground low if you were hoping to find a Ritz Carlton at the end of the 4-mile rough road, but if you're looking for a beautiful high altitude forested campground that offers solitude and great hiking, you've come to the right place! The worst we can say about it was that we visited in the height of mud season and it made leveling our rig a little tricky as the levelling blocks kept sinking in the soft Dyrt under the weight of our wheels, but we eventually figured it out. There was snow on the ground and snow flurries during our visit. We basically had the whole campground to ourselves on a mid-week evening, maybe two others in the entire campground. Our rig is 28' long, and if the place had been more crowded we may have had trouble finding a spot long enough for us, but given how empty it was we had our pick of multiple sites that worked. Overall a very cool spot off the Highway of Legends. If you're in the vicinity of the Spanish Peaks and looking for some great mountain camping, this is your place!
- lliberty M.Traveler
The Chicken Ranch
Great camping experience!
They were super responsive to all our questions! It was a beautiful property along the river. Definitely recommend camping here!
Jennifer T.GuideThe Chicken Ranch
Private, peaceful, VIEWS!
Views are amazing! Very quiet and the star gazing is some of the best. Stayed right on the water. Host was knowledgeable of area and things to do. Red Lake hike was awesome and easy.
- GGreg K.Scout
Purgatoire Campground
Good camping spot
Liked the camp spots (ours was 14). Mark (the camp host) kept everything clean. Beautiful star viewing. 4 mile dirt road was a bit rough bringing my camper. Verizon coverage had 1 bar at the south end.
Stephen K.GuideCimarron Campground
lovely hidden gem
We stayed here over July 4, 2021. The campground was mostly full until Sunday (July, 4) and then cleared out. It stayed quiet even when full, though. I wondered how rough the roads were, but driving from Castillo to the campground and then on to Hwy 64 east of Cimarron on 1950 was all very doable in a Subaru Ascent towing a trailer despite some heavy rains.
There were pit toilets which were clean, but flies at them got thick as the day warmed up. Flies and mosquitoes were rare at the campsite, though. The campsites were large and surrounded by trees. A few of the outer loop had nice, partial views of the meadow.
There's a nice easy/moderate half mile hike down to the Shuree Ponds which were stocked with trout. it seemed a fair amount of people would drive to the larger of those two ponds for day use fishing. The smaller was reserved for kids's fishing. Both are classied as "Green Chile" waters so only flies or artificial lures with a single, barbless hook are allowed. 2 fish limit.
The area looked like a mecca for wildlife, but we only saw 3 deer in our hikes to and from the ponds and then a muskrat at the pond.
- JJoel H.Guide
Rio Costilla Park
Great spot
Camped here the last 2 nights and it was fantastic. For $25/night it’s a good deal. There’s not clearly marked camping areas, which is both kinda cool and a little disorienting. Some of the camping areas have small, perfectly sized covered picnic table areas which are absolutely wonderful. The campsites are nearly all along a babbling brook, stream, or river. The roads to the entrance, to the campsites, and definitely up to the lakes are best suited if not exclusively suited for trucks and 4WD vehicles. Currently there’s no restroom facilities unless you personally rent a porta-potty to be brought to your campsite. We’ll be coming back. A word for tent campers, at least during my stay the volume of RV’s virtually dominated the park.
- JJen M.Traveler
Cimarron Campground
Good homebase for exploring the Valle Vidal
This is 1 of 2 options for campgrounds in the Valle Vidal area. It is on the West side of the preserve and is equine friendly. This is a large campground, with 36 camping sites. We stayed at #24 which had a nice partial overlook to the opposing valley, mountainside.
This campground is well loved, but clean and my only gripe is the pit toilets are old and in need of replacement. The host did keep them as clean as possible with odor control devices in the stalls.
Our campsite had a very worn and splintering wooden picnic table that really needed replacing. We brought a table and sat at that with our 2 small children.
Overall it is quiet and peaceful with amazing stargazing at night.
There is a walking trail at the back of the campground to get to Surree Ponds. I would say it is of medium difficulty as there is a precarious creek crossing, and it is uphill the whole way back to camp. The view you can get from the meadows and the ponds are gorgeous at sunset.
Word of warning, the road to get here from Amalia becomes very wash boarded. It is a long road to get here and is wash boarded the whole way. The drive through Rio Costilla Canyon is gorgeous and if you only can go that far it is well worth it.
- Christa A.Traveler
Rio Costilla Park
So spacious!
This is the first campground I’ve found in New Mexico where I felt like I was camping in Colorado, it was so green and beautiful! The camp sites were nicely spaced, so we felt like we were primitive camping, but it was nice to have a picnic table, especially because we have a small child. Family friendly. We wish we would have brought our 4x4 vehicle because we had initially planned to camp at little blue lake, but my Subaru Impreza was not powerful enough/didn’t have high enough clearance to make it up the road that lead to the lake! We are definitely planning on camping back to check out the lakes. The only negative thing was that we found some trash at our site from the previous campers. Also, some cows woke us up early in the morning, which was cool, but also scared the shit out of us!
Lila L.GuideRio Costilla Park
Unbelievable beauty
The park is HUGE and just so beautiful. 10,000 acres of aspens and ponderosa pines only one hour away from the town of Taos. All sites offer a fire pits and some come with nice picnic tables under roofs by the clear river. Only $25 a day you can get to enjoy the nature. We didn’t take our TRD pro Taco coz we thought our All wheel super handling SUV would be good enough but definitely there are some off-roading you can enjoy. Be sure to bring your truck or Jeep to enjoy more. No cell phone reception. There are no water available and porta potties were not ready yet. The lake was closed but we still had so much fun hiking and exploring the acres of wonderland. Will definitely go back there!
Michelle B.TravelerRio Costilla Park
Best camping by the river
Fishing is great and quality waters. It is fisherman’s fly fishing dream. Camping is great too as you can park next to the river. It’s pricey at 20.00 a night but worth it.
Bryan P.TravelerPurgatoire Campground
Average at Best
Didn’t stay here but visited it while in the area to review and also scout for next trip to the area. Not sure how the listing can state fresh water when there isn’t any. This is a very basic and primitive campground so don’t expect too much.
- Keri F.Guide
Purgatoire Campground
Mountain Isolation
No access to electric or water. Road to camp is rough. Beautiful scenery. Short drive to Chucara and Stonewall.
- Terry R.Traveler
Cimarron Campground
Quiet secluded campgrounds miles from civilization.
There is trout fishing near by. Miles of hiking and an abundance of wildlife, we watched several herds of Elk down in the valley on one of our hikes. We had deer roam through our campsite, they could care less that we were even there. The kids had a few streams to keep them busy. We were there the week of the 4th of July 2016. The weather was great we had a short shower just about every evening but nothing bad.
- Jennifer G.Scout
Rio Costilla Park
Amazing!!
Rio Costilla is an awesome place to camp. It’s a mountainous terrain with small lakes and streams running through the camgrounds. It’s beautiful! you can go fishing in all the lakes and is regularly stocked but also has native fish in the lakes too. This campground does get a little chilly in the night, even in summer, so bring a good sleeping bag. It will drizzle regularly and sometimes pours so prepare for that. There is no running water at this campground, so bring plenty. They have port-o-potties by every camping site and they keep them clean. They also have cattle that roam around the campground so keep your pups on a leash. The hikes they have at this place are great!! It’s really neat. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some deer on one of your hikes. The views you get as you hike farther up the mountain are breathtaking! But it is a hard hike and you can get lost so I’d recommend taking a seasoned hiker with you if you’re new. This place is awesome and my favorite camping grounds. There are no trash cans at the sights or while hiking so please pack out what you brought. There is a big dumpster on your way out that you can throw your trash there.
Mike S.ScoutPurgatoire Campground
Elk hunt camp
Camp site is basic. Simple sites, some with a better set up for tents than others. It was late in the season but the outhouse was still open. There is water from the stream, I didn't see a fresh water spigot.
phillip L.
LegendCimarron Campground
Wonderful
The sites here were absolutely wonderful. When I came there weren't much camper. There are around 36 campsites all included with a grill, tables and showers. You really have your privacy and is so beautiful at night. They recommend you don't burn the firewood there because some sort of insects live in there. The nearest gas station is about a half hour ride away and is where we bought ours. The sunset was so pretty and in the morning it get pretty chilly
- KKimberly S.Guide
Cimarron Campground
Many campsites available
There were 36 sites and they were all well kept
- LLarry S.Scout
Rio Costilla Park
God's hidden valley
The Rio Costilla Park is definitely a hidden gem. Awesome hiking trails for avid fishermen and hikers alike. From the 9 Lakes or Latier lakes however you prefer to call them to the hidden Little Blue Lake. A must visit for nature enthusiasts!
Ricky B.GuideCimarron Campground
Great Campground, Long Drive
This campground is really seclusive. Miles of dirt road to get to with beautiful green grass on the way. It doesn't open until the first of July sometime because elk are caving and they don't want people to bother them. The road can be tough if it is raining a bunch, but worth the trip if you have time. Campgrounds are secluded, definitely bring everything you need because you are over an hour from a good store. Lots of good hiking and potential to see wildlife. It will also be cold at night, so be prepared. Great spot!
Guide to San Luis
Horse camping in Colorado offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of well-reviewed campgrounds, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride through stunning landscapes.
Equestrian campgrounds include amenities for your horse
- At The Mesita Ranch, you’ll find facilities that cater to horse campers, including horse corrals and easy access to trails.
- Cimarron Campground features spacious sites with ample room for your horse and gear, making it a great choice for families.
- Mccrystal Campground is popular among horse campers, offering a quiet environment and well-maintained pit toilets.
Tips for equestrian camping near San Luis, Colorado
- When visiting Rio Costilla Park, be prepared for a remote experience with no running water, but enjoy the peaceful surroundings and spacious sites.
- At Purgatoire Campground, the rough road may be challenging, but the solitude and beautiful scenery make it worthwhile for horse enthusiasts.
- Ensure you have a sturdy vehicle for accessing Huerfano State Wildlife Area, as the roads can be rough, but the isolation offers a perfect escape for you and your horse.
Equestrian campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy hiking and fishing at Cimarron Campground, where the scenic trails lead to beautiful ponds stocked with trout.
- Explore the stunning landscapes around Sacred White Shell Mountain Campground, located near the Great Sand Dunes National Park, perfect for a day of adventure.
- Take advantage of the vast wilderness surrounding Mccrystal Campground, where you can spot wildlife and enjoy peaceful rides through the forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near San Luis, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near San Luis, CO is Rio Costilla Park with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near San Luis, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near San Luis, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.