Equestrian camping near Twin Lakes, Colorado offers riders access to varied mountain terrain within minutes of Denver's urban amenities. Indian Paintbrush Campground provides a base camp for horseback adventures at 6,700 feet elevation, where temperatures can drop below 40°F even during summer nights. The park's interconnected trail system spans over 15 miles of varied terrain suitable for riders of all experience levels.
What to do
Horseback riding on connected trails: At Golden Gate Canyon State Park Campground, riders can access extensive trail networks. "Golden Gate Canyon SP is absolutely gorgeous! We loved the experience at the park, the trails are great and the views are wonderful. The drive up can be a bit breathtaking, but it can be done!" notes Minette and Ron G.
Lake access for horses: Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir provides water access points after trail rides. "All-wheel drive and higher clearance car helped getting in, as the road is pretty bumpy. Stayed in the last park-in campsite. Had to hike in to the lake, but was much easier that bringing in camping gear to the lake-side campsites," reports Dorothy.
Mountain trail connections: Equestrians can explore backcountry terrain beyond park boundaries. "The park's trail system connects to larger networks in the foothills, providing opportunities for both short rides and full-day excursions with horses," shares a regular visitor.
What campers like
Private riding sites: Aspen Meadows Campground offers secluded areas for horse trailers. "Quiet (mid-week stay) campground with access to hiking trails. Some sites are more secluded than others, 5 was great," explains L M.
Clean equestrian facilities: Reverend's Ridge Campground maintains its stables well. "Campground is very clean. Loop E (electric hookups) is very spacious and well laid out. Every campsite is a pull thru allowing you situate anywhere along the paved area to best suit your needs," notes Dennis G.
Evening sunset rides: The mountainous terrain provides scenic evening trail routes. "We came up for an adventure and an adventure we had! Beautiful scenery, solid campsite, the drive out was lovely with the turning aspens," shares Cordelia T. regarding Reverend's Ridge.
What you should know
Water access restrictions: Not all lakes permit horses to enter. "You can only launch your boat at the boat launch on the southeast side (far from the campground) of the reservoir that is monitored by a ranger," explains Karl G. about Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir.
Trailer parking limitations: Some areas have designated trailer zones only. "The parking spot could hold all 4 of our cars, but we only left 2 there since that is the limit," reports Jennifer G.
Seasonal maintenance closures: Certain trails close during wet conditions. "Our closest one was closed until Memorial Day. Thankfully, the large bathroom and shower house was close to our site," notes another camper about facility availability.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly horse programs: Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park offers supervised riding experiences. "Loved the hiking and biking trails. Beautiful lake for swimming and paddle sports. Will definitely be returning for the archery and horseback riding," reports Joshua H.
Nighttime temperature preparation: Mountain elevations cause significant temperature drops. "Check the weather. We had very cold weather in both June and July, weather hit the low 30's," advises K R.
Camping near stables: Book sites closest to equestrian facilities for easier access. "Super clean campground. Close to Red Rocks and Denver. You have to drive a bit to get to the lake. Some nice hiking and biking trails off the campground," says Stacy M.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability for horse trailers: Chatfield State Park Campground accommodates larger rigs. "Laundry facility on each loop sites are spread out giving plenty of room between sites," notes Rick.
Trailer access roads: Some campgrounds have rough access roads unsuitable for larger trailers. "It's a beautiful park just wasn't expecting a lot of people to be here. Also wish the camp spots was further from another spot," explains Lamarcus S.
Early arrival necessary: Popular equestrian sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "This is one of our favorite spots to stay when visiting Denver area. Great for biking and all kinds of water sports," shares a regular visitor.
