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Best Equestrian Camping near White River National Forest

148 Reviews

White River National Forest offers limited equestrian camping options near the Twin Lakes area. Four Mile Road Dispersed camping area provides primitive sites where horses are permitted, though no dedicated corrals or equine facilities exist. Most sites accommodate horse trailers with adequate parking space on packed ground suitable for highlines or portable corrals. The camping areas near Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West provide access to mountain trails with adequate space for portable horse containment systems. Recent visitors note the rocky, uneven terrain requires careful site selection for horse safety and comfort.

Trail access varies seasonally throughout the White River National Forest region, with several trailheads accessible from the Twin Lakes and Leadville area. The Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail pass near Twin Lakes Dispersed camping, providing extensive riding opportunities with spectacular mountain views. Horse owners should bring all necessary supplies as no feed or water facilities are available at these primitive sites. The high-clearance access roads can become difficult after rain or snow, particularly at the dispersed sites near South Mt. Elbert trailhead. Water access for horses is available at nearby lakes and streams, though seasonal restrictions may apply during drought conditions. Trail riders report varying conditions on forest service roads with some requiring careful navigation for horse trailers.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near White River National Forest (20)

    1. Lakeview Campground

    20 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 486-0749

    $30 / night

    "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"

    2. Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West

    14 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    31 miles

    "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. Deep Creek Trailhead Camp

    7 Reviews
    Gypsum, CO
    26 miles

    "There are a few campsites next to the river and additional camp sites up the canyon."

    "Easy to find the site, ours was near the river. Lots of bugs so bring bug spray. Very calming and felt safe. Would recommend!"

    4. Four Mile Road Dispersed

    20 Reviews
    Carbondale, CO
    38 miles
    Website

    "You will see a pull off to the right with a sign for the White River National Forest. Continue on to find some more campsites"

    "To start, we camped with a teardrop trailer, but once you pass the White River National Forest sign and parking lot for the babbish trail head, it’s not easy to turn around unless you find a campsite."

    5. Clear Creek Reservoir

    19 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    38 miles

    "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."

    6. Avalanche Campground

    10 Reviews
    Redstone, CO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 963-2266

    "For those without AWD/4WD vehicles I would use caution/advise against since the drive to get into the actual grounds requires a bit of off roading including crossing a creek."

    "Awesome valley with access to the creek. There is also a nice trail up the mountain that forks into two other trails."

    7. Windy Point Site

    1 Review
    Bond, CO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-9000

    8. Radium Recreation Site

    2 Reviews
    Bond, CO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 724-3000

    $10 - $75 / night

    "I have stayed at this campground many times over the last few times due to its’ close proximity to access points along the Upper Colorado River and one of Colorado’s best kept secrets, Radium Hot Springs"

    9. Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting, LLC

    Be the first to review!
    Leadville, CO
    22 miles

    10. Kenosha Pass Campground

    13 Reviews
    Jefferson, CO
    48 miles
    Website

    $28 / night

    "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."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near White River National Forest

2 Photos of 20 White River National Forest Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near White River National Forest

148 Reviews of 20 White River National Forest Campgrounds

  • Jeni N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2021

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    Great view and quiet

    The road up to the campsites is pretty well maintained but you do gain a good amount of elevation. The scenery is beautiful with lot of wild flowers and tall, towering trees. It rained before we got there and there was some moisture on the tent the morning after. Make sure to follow the road to Four Mile Park and continue up the road for another 20 minutes or so. You will see a pull off to the right with a sign for the White River National Forest. Continue on to find some more campsites

  • Emma B.
    May. 16, 2021

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    Great primitive camping (May 2021)

    Spent three nights here (5/13 - 5/16). To start, we camped with a teardrop trailer, but once you pass the White River National Forest sign and parking lot for the babbish trail head, it’s not easy to turn around unless you find a campsite. Once you pass this you’ll see the first two campsites after about 4 bends in the road, both are walking distance to the trailhead. The first is a larger open space right off the road and the second is a much more private spot. The road to access this is just beyond the first campsite, which is where we stayed (see photos). We loved this spot!

    If you continue up the road you’ll eventually reach a fork, if you hang right and continue up there are 4 more dispersed sites. These would not work for trailers but are great tent spots. We had a very hard time trying to turn around.

    There are no services (no bins, no toilets, no cell service) and these sites are super clean so let’s keep it that way. The aspens hadn’t bloomed quite yet but in a few weeks it’ll be pretty spectacular.

    Additionally the main trailhead with access to beaver creek trail is not open until June 14th so most other dispersed sites won’t be accessible until then.

  • Fain H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2019

    Four Mile Road Dispersed

    White River National Forest

    My first winter camping trip in Colorado. Just south of Glenwood Springs and west of Carbondale is Sunlight Mountain Resort, an awesome little mountain with great tree skiing and untracked powder that can be found days after a storm. It sits in the western side of the White River National Forest in the Sopris Ranger District. From Glenwood or Carbondale follow directions to the resort and just about a mile before you get there you'll take a right to stay on Four Mile Rd or county road 117. Travel about 2 miles after turning and you'll come to a parking area on your left, in the winter its mainly used by cross country skiers and snowmobiles. From here we took off on foot in our winter boots down 2 miles of groomed snow covered road until you reach an intersection with a bunch of signs giving you several different options in directions and places to go. We strapped on our snow shoes and headed west up Fourmile Park- North through 16 to 24 inches of snow for an additional mile and settled at the 2nd camping spot we came to on our left. The low that night was 19 but I stayed warm most of the time until around 4 or 5 and finally had to get up and move around. The best part about the trip was we got to ski before and when we got back the bar was still open. I loved living in Glenwood Springs and choose this area for its proximity to so many awesome places, can't wait to get back.

  • Daniel S.
    Sep. 29, 2020

    South Fork Rustic Campground

    Rustic and Scenic Campground Located in the White River National Forest

    This is a bare bones remote campground with assigned sites and vault toilets. There is no potable water on site, so bring plenty of water for your stay. The 18 sites are on a first come basis and can't be reserved.

    I don't own horses, but have seen some in the area so it is equestrian friendly. The campground is located in a canyon with high cliffs and there are several hiking and backpacking trails that branch off from the campground. The south fork of the white river runs through the campground affording good fly fishing.

    While you can get to the campground in a standard automobile the gravel road is rutted in places as you get close to the campground and can become dicey in heavy rain or snow for the last mile or two. 

    I have been there numerous times as early as July and as late as September when snow can be expected.

  • Doug W.
    Jan. 9, 2021

    Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground

    Nice USFS campgrounds

    There are 4 small US Forest Service campgrounds here.  The access road is in great shape and while it is gravel, it is passable with any vehicle and trailer combination.

    One of the campgrounds is reservable, the the others are FCFS.  We stayed in the equestrian campground.  In two of the campgrounds (on the left as you come in), only the smallest of trailers will work.  The first one on the right is the equestrian campground and the second one on the right is the reservable campground.  We have a short 5th wheel (26') and we found only a couple of sites we could fit in.  I would say that 32' is about it.  On the other hand, the campgrounds get very little use and you should have no problems finding a spot.  We were there in early June and we had our campground to our selves.  There is water but no other services.  Cell service?  Forget about it.  

    The hiking is fantastic from the campground.  Trappers Lake is outstanding.  There was a forest fire a few years back so the trees around the lake are gone.  There are many trails and the views are some of the best.

  • Alex H.
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Lakeview Campground

    Great campground near Twin Lakes

    Finally checked out this campground and will definitely return. 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. Basic amenities (toilets, drinking water, trash, etc.) and no showers.

  • Steph A.
    Jul. 12, 2018

    Lodgepole - Jefferson

    Close to everything!

    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. Just a short drive to Jefferson Lake, or you can hop on the Colorado trail just across the road. Not the most secluded sites, but plenty of trees and shade to feel private enough.

  • S
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Kenosha Pass Campground

    Great experience, conveniently located by Colorado Trail

    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. All of the sites are surrounded by trees, there is quite a bit of shade, and  even though it is very close to 285 I thought the road noise was pretty minimal.  The campground is very clean, the camp sites were nicely spaced out, the vaulted toilets were very clean, even though we had brought plenty of water there is a water pump (we did not use it so can't speak to it), and having a trash dumpster on the grounds was convenient.  The camp host, Dan, was very nice and we saw him on multiple days so it's nice to know there is someone around day or night.  The trailhead for section 6 of the Colorado Trail is right next to the campgrounds so we checked out a portion while we were here and loved it.  There is no Verizon service anywhere on the campgrounds

  • D
    Dec. 11, 2020

    Sugarloaf Campground

    Small, Quite Campground at the End of the Road

    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.

    Cleared of timber a few years back due to Pine Beetle infestation, the campground is spartan with little shade or site separation. It's at the end of a dead end road making road noise minimal. The good news is that it's uncrowded and easy to secure a first come, first served site, and the trees are growing back.

    There are 11 spaces many of which will accommodate RVs (we were able to fit our 30' class C), most will fit small travel trailers/pop-up campers, and all have space for tents. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a horse shoe pit located in the middle of the campground. There is a pit toilet and water well though the well has not been functional for some time. Trash dumpsters are on site, and water is available at South Fork campground a short distance away. While amenities are limited, activities are plentiful.

    Fishing on the Williams fork is fair to good for Brook Trout with the occasional Brown Trout being caught. Pressure is generally light upstream from Sugarloaf and a bit more congested downstream where the stream is slightly larger. Once you're tired of fishing, there are numerous hiking trails to be explored.

    Leaving from the the immediate area are the Darling Creek trail, the South Fork trail, the Kinney Creek trail and 4x4 road, the Ute Peak trail, and further north, the Williams Peak trail. There are also multiple Geocaches located nearby. Best bet here is to purchase a trail guide for more specifics on the area. Be sure to check with the Hot Sulphur Springs Ranger district as fires have damaged or closed many locations.

    If you're looking for a laid back peaceful camping experience, Sugarloaf may just be the place for you!

Guide to White River National Forest

Horse camping near White River National Forest in Colorado offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With various campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • At Avalanche Campground, you can enjoy access to beautiful hiking trails and a serene creek, perfect for a day of exploration with your horse.
  • Radium Recreation Site is known for its proximity to the Upper Colorado River, offering excellent opportunities for fishing and relaxing after a day of riding.
  • Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting, LLC provides guided horseback riding experiences, allowing you to discover the area's natural beauty with the help of local experts.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • South Fork Rustic Campground features a small corral for equestrians, making it easy to secure your horse while you set up camp.
  • Sugarloaf Campground offers ample space for both tents and horse trailers, ensuring a comfortable stay for you and your horse.
  • Deep Creek Trailhead Camp allows for easy access to trails suitable for horseback riding, making it a convenient choice for equestrian campers.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like corrals and trails

  • Pine Valley Ranch provides a welcoming environment for horse campers, with designated areas for tying up horses and easy access to nearby trails.
  • Lakeview Campground is well-reviewed for its spacious sites that accommodate horse trailers and offers nearby riding paths for exploration.
  • Four Mile Road Dispersed features a variety of trails that are perfect for horseback riding, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are horses allowed in White River National Forest?

Yes, horses are allowed in White River National Forest, which has several equestrian-friendly areas. Trappers Lake Horse Thief Equestrian Campground specifically caters to horseback riders with dedicated facilities. This equestrian campground offers spacious sites that accommodate vehicles with horse trailers and features hitching posts for horses. The access road is well-maintained gravel, passable with any vehicle and trailer combination, making it convenient for those traveling with horses.

What are the best horseback riding trails in White River National Forest?

White River National Forest offers excellent horseback riding trails throughout its expansive terrain. Near Kenosha Pass Campground, riders can access the renowned Colorado Trail which provides stunning views and varying terrain suitable for horses. Another excellent option is near Lodgepole - Jefferson, where riders can enjoy picturesque trails, particularly beautiful in fall when the foliage changes color. Many of these trails offer connections to longer routes, alpine meadows, and forest paths with spectacular mountain views.

Do I need a permit for horse camping in White River National Forest?

For horse camping in White River National Forest, no special equestrian permits are typically required beyond standard camping fees. At South Fork Rustic Campground, sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations needed. For more structured options, some campgrounds like Lakeview Campground may have reservation systems during peak seasons. Always check with the specific ranger district before your trip as regulations can change, and some high-use areas might require additional permits during certain times of year.

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