Dispersed camping opportunities near Villa Grove allow equestrians to access trailheads and riding areas throughout the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Cotton Creek Trailhead offers free camping with ample space for horse trailers, though no dedicated corrals or pens are provided. The road requires careful navigation with trailers, as visitors note the last mile requires slow travel at 5-10 mph. Sites feature established fire rings and provide enough clearance for parking vehicles with horse trailers, though riders must bring portable containment systems for their animals.
The surrounding National Forest lands connect to extensive trail networks suitable for day rides. Browns Creek and Raspberry Gulch dispersed sites provide alternative options for horse camping with similar rustic amenities. Most campsites in the region lack water sources for horses, requiring campers to pack in water supplies. Hermit Pass OHV area and Willow Creek Trail camping areas provide additional access points to mountain riding trails, though riders report extremely rough forest roads that may challenge larger horse trailers. Bathrooms are typically available only at established trailheads, not at dispersed camping locations. The surrounding mountain terrain offers spectacular scenic riding with endless views and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
"Don’t follow the “major trail” signs, just find the side road this spot is on and drive up and you’ll find it. You will have to travel like 5-10mph for the last like mile. High clearance not required"
"The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts."
"The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts."
$30 - $60 / night
"I absolutely love this area of Colorado. It's breathtaking no matter which direction you look. Decent campground that was a bit too big for my taste."
"There are several hiking trails nearby. The vault toilets were right by us and we didn’t have any issues with smell, and they were the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen."
"Dispersed camping up at the lake. I say anything next to water is a bonus! For Night 1 we hiked in stayed somewhere off the trail, at what seemed like a horse camp stop."
"The hiking is good with several trailheads and easy access to the Colorado Trail."
"Kinda busy with good access to Browns creek and the Colorado trail, but otherwise quiet if you can squeeze in. Easy for trailers too."
"Close to hiking at browns which is really pretty hike and lots of options. We found a place on Memorial Day without a reservation which never happens in Colorado. It is near the co trail too!"
"Approx 15 or so dispersed camp sites along the forest road up to the parking lot for Willow Lake trail. Easy access to sites, easy access to trail head. Restrooms also available at trailhead."
"Beautiful views and a great walking path for my dog. I could have gone for miles. People are super friendly and it’s clean! Close to hiking. Well worth the visit"
"The site we got had our door facing another camper's door and our picnic tables were next to eachother, so we didn't spend much time hanging out outside."
"Bare bones but beautiful camping opportunity conveniently located near the trailhead to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado Campground Review:
Needing a spot to serve as a staging area"
"A lot of spots the further up you drive towards trailhead. Found a spot right next to the creek with room for several cars and framed in by trees. Sounds of water is awesome."
TravelerDispersed camping up at the lake. I say anything next to water is a bonus!
For Night 1 we hiked in stayed somewhere off the trail, at what seemed like a horse camp stop. Night 2 we stayed up at the lake campground. Got there early afternoon and was able to claim a prime spot. There is not much access to the water, so those spots get taken up rather quickly.
Great views, awesome sunrise.
TravelerI absolutely love this area of Colorado. It's breathtaking no matter which direction you look. Decent campground that was a bit too big for my taste. I agree with another reviewer: choose your site wisely! Dirty vault toilets. Water spigots that were almost all dripping (some almost running). I believe it should be posted at time of reservation if there are STEPS involved to set up camp. This site had maybe 10 steps, some in desperate need of repair. As a senior solo camper, this was challenging. This site was not my choice but the only one available for my time-frame (right next door to the camp host and on the main/incoming road). When we were there, no availability of firewood from camp host, but a load did arrive while we were there. Really noisy campground (plenty of barking dogs), PLUS,a helicopter was doing a training mission two of the days we were there and flew directly over the campground, low-level, 3-5 times each day.
No bear boxes. (there was a hiker/bear interaction on the Venable trail on June 17th.)
Positives were wildlife, scenery, wildflowers, awesome hiking both directions out of the campground, nice fellow campers (those we met).
In hindsight, I would have been really upset if I'd paid full price.
RangerKinda busy with good access to Browns creek and the Colorado trail, but otherwise quiet if you can squeeze in. Easy for trailers too.
GuideClose to hiking at browns which is really pretty hike and lots of options. We found a place on Memorial Day without a reservation which never happens in Colorado. It is near the co trail too! Quiet enough for our 1 year old
GuideWe stayed at Alvarado for one night on 5/15/2021. We had sites 34 and 35 right across the road from each other. Steve the host was really friendly and stopped by to say hello a couple of times. There are several hiking trails nearby. The vault toilets were right by us and we didn’t have any issues with smell, and they were the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen. The water was closed when we were there because they were waiting on test results before they could open, they did end up opening the water on Sunday so I’m assuming it’s good to go for the season now. Town is really close by (maybe 15 min) so we just went into town and filled up water jugs. Site 34 was a bit close to the campsite next to us. We ended up going to sleep when our neighbors did just because we thought even low voices would be a disturbance to them in their tents. Other than the close proximity, the sites were great and nicely maintained. The sites higher than 35 seem to be spaced a bit further apart so would probably go to the upper sites next time. Great campsite, would return again!
Nice picnic tables and permanent fire pits/grates (which means you can typically use even during stage one fire bans) at every site. A lot of dumpsters and water spots, as well as toilets.
RangerBare bones but beautiful camping opportunity conveniently located near the trailhead to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado
Campground Review:
Needing a spot to serve as a staging area for a planned backpacking trip into the Collegiate Peak Wilderness Area of Colorado, my group discovered this gem. County roads (CR) that access national forests in Colorado often have primitive but established camping spots. Since we were going to start our backpacking trip from the North Cottonwood Trailhead, we searched online to make sure that the access road, CR 365 offered dispersed camping.
After a nice meal in nearby Buena Vista, Co, we headed out on the 7-8 mile drive to the trailhead. Now 7-8 miles on a CR isn’t always the same as a similar distance on a paved road. The first 3 miles on the drive from town center were paved and were navigated quickly and easily. The next few miles were not and driving became more of an adventure and slowed dramatically. While in the end we saw 2 WD vehicles at the trailhead, I would suggest that at a minimum you should have a high clearance FWD vehicle. Our Subaru Outback AWD served us well. The drive took us around 30 minutes.
2 miles away from the trailhead, you pass a Colorado Trail access point with parking and vault toilets. IMPORTANT: there are no toilets past this point on CR 365 and no facilities at the North Cottonwood Trailhead.
We ended up driving all the way up to the trailhead to know what to expect for the next morning when we would start the hike. We then headed back down CR 365 about a mile to some of the more attractive looking camping sites along the road. In all, I would suspect you pass 15-20 opportunities along the road. Some of them are small, single vehicle, single tent areas and others could handle multiple groups.
We ended up finding a pull off point that had a gravel road that accessed several campsites. You are encouraged to find sites that have been used in the past and most will have a fire pit. Always check with the ranger stations to see if fires are allowed in the area at the time.
Since this site had a gravel road that took you 50-100 yards off the CR, you really felt the seclusion. The CR is not heavily traveled (maybe 6 cars used it from 7pm to 6am the next morning while we were there), being off the road really made this a nice site. The sites that are accessed via side gravel roads do have road designations. The one we chose was 365B and was clearly marked with a reflective post sign.
The sites are adorned with pines and aspens. We were also near a stream that provided us beautiful sounds to fall asleep to. Spacing between sites is significant so you do feel remote and won’t hear much if anything from other campers. Our site had a rock fire ring but firewood is scarce so if you want a campfire, you will need to bring some with you. There is no running water at these sites but the stream is flowing and with a filtration system, you can easily fill up. No tables or benches are in the area.
Does a bear … in the woods? Well yes and you will need to as well. This area’s minimum suggested practice was to dig your “cat hole” at least 6 inches deep, 100 feet or more away from water, camping and trail locations. Degradable toilet paper, no wipes, was suggested.
The site was beautiful, primitive, remote, and convenient. Everything we were looking for. We experienced temperatures of 70’s during the day and mid 40’s at night. We did have the typical misty rain in the evening but it didn’t last long and the ground absorbed it well. You are at around 9500 feet above sea level so you may feel the effects of the altitude. It served as a great place for this “flatlander” to get acclimated.
Not a site for someone that needs amenities. But if you love the thought of a controlled, primitive site, this will be right up your alley!
Gear Review: Wild Zora Foods
See a quick video summary of the product HERE.
As a Dyrt Ranger gear tester, I often get opportunities to evaluate camping related products during my outdoor adventures. On this outing, I was able to pack a variety of Wild Zora snacks and meals to help fuel this physically demanding trip.
The genesis for Wild Zora began in 2011 with a family that discovered the benefits of Gluten-Free, Paleo, and Primal foods. After developing their own, sharing with friends and family, the founders decided to package and offer their creations to the public. They offer meat and veggie bars, paleo meals to go, soups and teas. All are claimed to be prepared with minimally processed, high quality ingredients. The company states that it is mindful of diet restrictions and allergies.
Testing conditions:
I tested the product over several weeks under somewhat adverse but consistent conditions. The food was used to fuel a physically demanding trip where calorie dense foods were needed. I needed to be able to consume around 4000 calories a day to be able to backpack for miles and to climb 14,000 foot Colorado peaks. Space and weight were taken into consideration as well. We would be preparing the meals at high elevation which would affect how long and effective reconstitution of the dehydrated food would take. During most of the cooking times, temperatures were between 40-60 degrees.
Things that stood out:
· Conveniently packaged. Durable with no excessive packaging.
· Shelf life was way longer than what I needed for this trip so if any was left over, it would keep for my next trip.
· The meals and flavors offered are not limited to your common camping meals offered by others. CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE FLAVORS!
· There is no shortage of flavor in the meals. Nothing bland about them.
· Ingredients are top shelf and the meals and snacks have such a short but impressive ingredient list, you know you are doing your body good.
My preferences for improvement:
· Adjustment needed in how I ate it because of the dimensions of the meal packages. Narrow and tall vs short and wide made me adjust how I consumed the meal.
Summary of experience with Wild Zora:
These meals are POPPING with flavor! Since what we like in our meals is a personal preference, some may not like the strong flavors but I loved them. I am a little adventurous with my food and the flavors in all the meals I tried were distinct and pleasing – think gourmet vs fast food.
The food is packaged with the outdoor enthusiast in mind. Easy to tuck away in my backpack without being a space or weight hog and the snacks were perfect when I went “peakbagging” with a smaller daypack. Calorie dense. I was able to easily take 4 meat/veggie bars with my on mountain climbs and averaged 120 calories a bar. The bars provided satisfying protein and fat calories that complimented my quick carb foods I packed.
Will absolutely be a part of my meals on future adventures. See a quick summary of the product HERE.
GuideIt is gorgeous and so easy to access. From the 285 going north turn left on County road 270 until it becomes the 272 we went straight to the 274. At the cross of 2 National Forests, San Isabel and pike . We arrived around 5 pm on a Wednesday and most of the spots were taken but we were able to find one to fit our 40 feet toy hauler. We went for a hike, there were multiple hiking trails including access to the Colorado Trail. We also rode our mountain bikes on 272, 274A and the 273. It was very quiet and the sky was amazing at night. I highly recommend it if you are traveling on the 285.
GuideThe campground won't accommodate fifth wheels only horse and rv up to 30 or so. Many of the sites in the 30,s up are useless other than a van. Tent sites are not good. Very uneven pads. The 40,s are much better and all mostly tents. The sites below 30 to 1 are pretty nice. Must say the hosts for the new concession explorUS were doing a bang up job.
RangerThere are extensive sites in the area for all sizes of rigs. There is plenty of room and easy access for large rigs or tent camping. FR 272 is the main road in but there are several spur roads, 273 and 274 that have plenty of options also. One problem is that this area is well known and is becoming very popular. On weekends, there may be more than 50 campers in the area.
Because of the overuse some sites are getting, the forest service is starting to fence some sites in so they don't grow in size. The are working towards camping in designated sites only because so many campers are just trashing the area.
The hiking is good with several trailheads and easy access to the Colorado Trail.
Dispersed camping areas near Villa Grove, Colorado sit at elevations between 8,000-10,000 feet within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer days typically range from 70-85°F with cool nights. Camping sites throughout the region provide direct access to the Arkansas River Valley, with several locations offering seasonal accessibility from May through October.
Mountain biking access: Multiple sites near Raspberry Gulch Dispersed Site connect to trail systems suitable for various skill levels. "We also rode our mountain bikes on 272, 274A and the 273. It was very quiet and the sky was amazing at night," notes marine J.
Hiking to alpine lakes: The trails from North Cottonwood Trailhead lead to several pristine mountain lakes. "We hiked the trail to Kroenke Lake in the morning. Great spot!!" reports Kelsie S., who enjoyed the streamside campsites. Trails range from 2-8 miles one-way depending on destination.
Fishing opportunities: Smaller streams near Villa Grove support brook trout populations. At lower elevations, "It's a small stream but it's sure as hells got some trout in it! I've been fishing this stream since I was a kid," shares Bryan P. about the fishing near Temple Canyon Park.
Stargazing conditions: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing. At Raspberry Gulch, "The sky was amazing at night," according to marine J., while at Browns Creek camping area, Chandler H. notes, "Our spot had beautiful sunset and sunrise views."
Privacy between sites: Browns Creek offers well-spaced camping locations. "Dispersed campsites are spread out so you can't see or hear your neighbors. Great proximity to trailheads and easy to get to," reports Tori T. Similarly, at North Cottonwood, heather observes, "Sites weren't close to one another."
Stream-adjacent sites: Many campers seek spots near running water. "Found a spot right next to the creek with room for several cars and framed in by trees. Sounds of water is awesome," writes Kelsie S. about North Cottonwood Trailhead area. These creek-side locations provide natural white noise that masks other camping sounds.
Road conditions: Many access roads require careful driving. At Willow Creek Trail, approximately "15 or so dispersed camp sites along the forest road" are available according to Silouan A., but most require high-clearance vehicles to access.
Seasonal availability: Most dispersed sites open after snowmelt. Karen J. cautions about Browns Creek: "Closed Dec 1-June 1 for wildlife management. Watch out in the wet weather-road super muddy a bit difficult to get through."
Bear presence: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation. At North Cottonwood, heather reports, "It is bear country and had a visit from a momma and baby bear the first night of our stay so be prepared for visits." Food storage containers or vehicle storage are essential at all sites.
Choose sites with natural features: Look for camps with exploring opportunities. "Area was beautiful with streams everywhere. Camped in middle of July and on the weekend and still not too busy," shares heather about the family-friendly atmosphere at North Cottonwood.
Consider established campgrounds: When facilities matter, Alvarado Campground offers more amenities. "The sites are nicely laid out with picnic table, fire ring and grills, and high post hooks. The vaults are clean and well managed," notes Shawnda T.
Weekend timing: Arrive early on popular weekends. Angelique C. advises, "Arrived later the day on a holiday weekend, fingers crossed a spot would be open. Last spot on the road in near the trailhead was still pretty wide open." Mid-week arrivals face much less competition for prime sites.
RV size limitations: Most dispersed areas accommodate smaller rigs only. Brian E. reports about Browns Creek: "I was able to get my 25ft rig pretty far up the mountain on road 274A. There was 30-40ft class A in the spot closest to me," though such large vehicles are uncommon in most areas.
Site selection strategy: When equestrian camping near Villa Grove with larger trailers, start at lower elevation sites with wider pull-offs. "There are extensive sites in the area for all sizes of rigs. There is plenty of room and easy access for large rigs or tent camping," notes Doug W. about Browns Creek, which accommodates horse trailers better than many alternatives.
Road navigation timing: Allow extra travel time on forest roads. At Cotton Creek Trailhead, Jason W. advises, "You will have to travel like 5-10mph for the last like mile." Morning departures provide better visibility for challenging road sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Villa Grove, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Villa Grove, CO is Cotton Creek Trailhead with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Villa Grove, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Villa Grove, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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