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Best Equestrian Camping in Colorado

1,217 Reviews

When it comes to camping in Colorado, the options are almost limitless. From the valleys of the state’s highest peaks to Garden of the Gods and beyond, you’ll find alpine lakes, red rock formations, craggy peaks, dense pine forest, and wildflower-dotted meadows all right outside the tent door.

While Colorado claims many iconic destinations, Garden of the Gods ranks near the top of many visitors’ lists. The red rock formations backed by towering mountain ridgelines offers a jaw-dropping location for both hiking and camping in Colorado. Head to the Garden of the Gods RV Resort and pitch your tent for easy access to adventure, or opt for a cottage to enjoy a little luxury at the edges of one of Colorado’s most scenic locations. Enjoy easy day hikes through the namesake park, or explore the trails that trace through Red Rock Canyon Open Space.

If wilderness and solitude are more of what you’re looking for, ditch the big city and head for Twin Lakes, the basecamp for Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert. Situated at a lofty 9,900 feet on the edges of Turquoise Lake, May Queen Campground offers both tranquility and million-dollar views. Sleep beneath a starry sky amidst lodgepole pines and spend your days exploring the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail. Ambitious hikers can post up at the Elbert Creek campground and head for the Mount Elbert trailhead to tackle the challenging trek to the 14,433-foot summit. And, don’t forget the fishing rod for this destination: angling on any of the nearby lakes is a great way to enjoy sunny summer days camping in Colorado’s mountains.

Those looking to stay closer to the Mile High City can find tent camping at Echo Lake campground on the outskirts of Idaho Springs, or at Aspen Meadows campground in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Whether it’s a weekend getaway not far from the city or a challenging and inspiring adventure deep in the mountains, the medley of camping in Colorado has something for everyone.

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Best Equestrian Sites in Colorado (143)

    1. Chatfield State Park Campground

    76 Reviews
    Littleton, CO
    Website
    +1 (303) 791-7275

    $36 - $200 / night

    "Chatfield State Park is a great mixture of access to the outdoors with availability of many of the benefits of a metro area close by."

    "Stay here a couple times a year, great amenities and lots to do with a swim beach, shore line, horses, boat ramp and model planes."

    2. Mueller State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Divide, CO
    Website
    +1 (719) 687-2366

    $28 - $270 / night

    "This Colorado state park brings visitors year-round for all types of recreation. We have traveled here several times, both tent camping and in our camper."

    "By far my favorite campground in Colorado. Sites all have great views and are paved. The park is clean and rangers are always around checking in. Close to town and great hikes. Can’t wait to go back!"

    3. Deer Creek Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    48 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $18 / night

    "area was plowed open to exactly the width of our trailer, so with more than three feet of snow on the ground we needed to get some exercise and do a bit of shoveling so we could back in and be able to walk"

    "Late October is very unpredictable in Colorado for a camper who is primarily a tent camper."

    4. Cherry Creek State Park Campground

    49 Reviews
    Centennial, CO
    Website
    +1 (303) 690-1166

    $28 - $432 / night

    "It’s we’ll thought out with lots of activity areas like, mountain bike trail, shooting area, off leash dog area, model airfield, equestrian trails, lake and hiking trails!"

    "I only gave it 4 stars because on the outskirts of the state park we have a lot of homeless camps popping up oblong Parker road and 225."

    5. East Portal Campground at Estes Park

    40 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    Website
    +1 (800) 964-7806

    $45 - $80 / night

    "Our space was large enough to accommodate our 20 ft travel trailer with our truck next to it, still leaving plenty of room for the picnic table and a chair circle around the fire."

    "The bathrooms were clean, and close to almost every site. They had a very nice playground for the kids with a climbing wall."

    6. Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park

    34 Reviews
    Morrison, CO
    Website

    "Close proximity to the highway. Clean level spots. Geared more towards RV camping. Pros: great views of the foothills."

    "So much to do in this little area-lakes, trails, horses. Very close to red rocks. This is still in town so great for beginners"

    7. Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

    30 Reviews
    Rollinsville, CO
    Website
    +1 (303) 582-3707

    $28 - $90 / night

    "This spot is just a quick ride outside of Golden. The scenery is gorgeous with several trails to hike or mountain bike. The campsites are clean and easy to get to."

    "Stunning campground nestled right outside Golden and Boulder Colorado. We couldn’t believe it…so close but you feel incredibly removed once you get there."

    8. Hermits Hollow Campground — Hermit Park

    25 Reviews
    Estes Park, CO
    Website
    +1 (970) 577-2090

    $35 / night

    "This campground has all the privacy you would expect yet provides easy access to Estes Park and the Rocky Mountian National Forest. The Laramie County Staff that were on site were kind and helpful."

    "It would be nice if the county could put water in, there are two places to fill containers/rvs-one right by the entrance and another at the entrance to Bobcat Gulch."

    9. Browns Creek

    23 Reviews
    Nathrop, CO

    "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."

    10. Winiger Ridge at Gross Reservoir

    24 Reviews
    Eldorado Springs, CO
    Website
    +1 (303) 541-2500

    "It was nice to be tucked away in the corner with no groups behind us or next to us. There were other campers near by but it felt pretty private. The weather was great."

    "The Gross Resevoir outside Boulder is a great place for people to go for some recreation just outside the city. People commonly drop in a paddleboard or kayak."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos in Colorado

36 Photos of 143 Colorado Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews in Colorado

1217 Reviews of 143 Colorado Campgrounds

  • Liz B.
    Jul. 17, 2019

    Big Creek Lakes Campground

    Great spot for a long weekend

    Great spot for car camping in Colorado except its distance from Denver. It’s a trek! Takes at least 4 hours (that’s if you’re lucky). Lots to do. Great fishing, beautiful hiking trails to a water fall, and trails for the RZR near by.

  • Kelsey U.
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Freeman Reservoir Campground

    A Secret Gem!!

    We hit this place coming from the northern Colorado border with Wyoming on a Sunday night. I've grown up and camped in Colorado my whole life, this place was 10/10, and one of my favorite spots ever! With hiking, biking, and fishing, you could spend some time here!

  • Jason W.
    Jun. 18, 2021

    Winding River Resort

    CO river access, nearby access to RMNP, zoo, & access to nearby lakes

    This is a beautiful campground with lots of family-friendly activities to do.  They have direct access to the headwaters of the Colorado River.  We visited a little late in the season (August) to catch many fish, but we still had fun.  We found some tailwaters below the big lakes and caught some trout on the fly rods.  

    This site is minutes away from an entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.  We got up early and hiked a trail in RMNP and had a few moose walk right past us.  It is also close by to the major lakes of the area.  

    They rent ATVs and lots of people bring their own horses to this campground to enjoy the many back-country trails that begin at the back of the property and go high up into the mountains.  

    Facilities were well kept and clean.

  • Natalie B.
    Jul. 15, 2017

    Indian Creek Equestrian Campground

    Beautiful!

    This campground has a equestrian area and a tent camping area. The tent camping is to the right after you enter, there are two tent loops with bathrooms. Water spigots next to the bathroom. There are a few trails here, some are horse trails. Overall a beautiful spot with some shade!

  • Whitney L.
    Sep. 10, 2021

    Gunnison National Forest Soap Creek Campground

    free views plus free noise pollution

    This is for "Soap Creek Corral/ Coal Mesa Horse Camp" dispersed camping not the actual Soap Creek Campground. There were spots at the formal campground but they were small, unconcealed, and within close proximity to all other sites. However, there were true dispersed spots near the horse corrals where lots of horse trailers and off roaders park to ride the trails.

    Off of HWY 50, we turned on to HWY 92 and then took FR 721 to FR 721 E where we turned and went right down to the proper campground before looping back out. We went out the same way in (FR 721) but split off onto the side road to find the horse corral area. Bear country. Pros/Cons: no mobile service, primitive, right next to a creek, lots of OHVs, milky way visible, mountain views, shade, creek sounds at night.

  • Rosina A.
    Aug. 8, 2019

    Big Creek Lakes Campground

    9,000 feet elevation camping

    Big Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August. It's camping at over 9,000ft elevation and requires for you to be extra prepared for snow even in the summer months, bears, mountain lions, mosquitos, aggressive horse flies, leeches, strong winds, thunder storms and altitude sickness. They do provide water which tastes fresh like newly melted snow. You can boat, fish, even hunt at some spots with a permit, hike, and swim at your own risk (can be cold, leeches, snakes). It is truly beautiful up here and the drive up the Poudre river makes it worth it. You can also spend the day rafting down the river or fishing.

  • N
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Colorado Campground

    Good location

    Colorado campground is situated outside of Woodland Park (10 minute drive) and right next to Manitou lake.  This is a great area central to the Pikes Peak wilderness area so many trails are nearby and activities while still being close to civilization if you forget something or choose to eat-out.  The CG itself is large, but the sites are well spaced apart...it is a primitive CG with picnic table, fire-pit and gravel pull through or back-in spots.  There are water spigots, vault toilets and garbage cans equally dispersed throughout.  In the summer they have an educational series also on the weekends of various nature/wildlife "seminars" that are great for the kids in their small amphitheater, although i don't know how frequent they are scheduled.  As others have stated its a short walk to the lake for fishing and canoeing if you choose.  The CG is well maintained and hosts are friendly.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 13, 2018

    Colorado Campground

    There are many campgrounds in Colorado, but only one Colorado Campground!

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW: COLORADO CAMPGROUND PIKE NATIONAL FOREST

    https://www.recreation.gov/camping/colorado-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70684

    Colorado Campground is one of several campgrounds less than 10 miles north of the city of Woodland Park off Route 67 in the Pike National Forest.

    Situated at 7800 feet elevation, even summer nights get cool. Nearby 5 acre Manitou Lake is a trail walk away. You can toss your canoe or kayak in, but unless you are simply trout fishing, it’s tiny size doesn’t offer much variation.

    Numerous foot trails lead into the National Forest, offering wonderfully quiet hikes and exploration.

    There are 81 sites available, but some are adjacent to highway 67, so periodic road noise will be heard. The ponderosa pines assist in muffling highway noise.

    Neighboring sites are visible across the entire campground, but they are situated in such a way that you are not directly on top of each other.

    The back loop sites are larger and set deeper (Site 19, 20,21, 22, 23) which are my choice. Sites can be secured on www.recreation.gov. There are double sites which garner double fees. At the time of this review, sites are $23.00 nightly (a bit pricey for no showers or modern facilities). When there during the week, not including the host and groundskeeper, only four sites were filled. Most sites were reserved for weekends and upcoming Labor Day holiday.

    No RV/Campers over 36 ft permitted. Parking pads are gravel, a few are pull-through. Sites are non-electric with no hookups…no showers Water spigots, metal trash containers and pit latrines are spaced out through the campground. Each site has one stationary picnic table and a fire pit. Most sites appeared fairly level. No specific tent pad locations.

    With the towering ponderosa pines, there is ample shade.

    Plenty of trails permit mountain biking as well as the paved centennial bike path that runs along highway 67 from Woodland Park 15 miles north…that you can walk, in-line, cycle and even ebike.

    You have plenty of local activities to keep you busy, including the Red Rocks a couple miles south…or drive east on Rt 24 to Pikes Peak, or further into Manitou Springs for the Incline, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Garden of the gods and more!

    Just six miles south into Woodland Park offers every food or shopping option.

    All in all, a nice, clean campground in a great location.

  • Tj H.
    Aug. 9, 2019

    Haggards RV Campground

    Easy access and quiet

    My grandson and I stayed there in June for 4 days in a 34ft travel trailer in a pull thru long enough not to have to unhook. The sites were large and plenty of room for my slideout and not too close to next site. About 30 min from Pueblo and 30 from Canon City on Hwy 50 just east of Hwy 115 Full hookup and good WiFi Also had 30 OTA channels. Beautiful sunsets of the mountains Hwy 50 close by but traffic was not loud enough to disturb us Horses on the property as well as a swimming pool and very friendly staff Very nice experience and only 40 min from Colorado Springs or Royal Gorge.

Guide to Colorado

Horse camping in Colorado offers a unique way to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Equestrian campgrounds include scenic trails

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like water access

  • Colorado Campground features water access for horses, ensuring they stay hydrated during your stay.
  • Lakeview Campground provides essential amenities for horse campers, including nearby water sources and spacious sites.
  • Guanella Pass offers well-maintained facilities that cater to horse camping, making it a convenient choice for equestrians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best horse campgrounds in Colorado?

Colorado offers several excellent equestrian campgrounds for horse enthusiasts. Indian Creek Equestrian Campground is a standout choice with dedicated equestrian areas separate from tent camping loops. The campground features horse trails, water spigots, and bathroom facilities in a beautiful setting with shade. Another top option is Gunnison National Forest Soap Creek Campground, which includes horse corrals at the Soap Creek Corral/Coal Mesa Horse Camp area. For those seeking more amenities, Chatfield State Park near Denver and Cherry Creek State Park provide equestrian facilities with access to extensive trail systems. Mueller State Park also offers horse-friendly camping with trail access to explore Colorado's stunning mountain terrain.

When is the best season for horse camping in Colorado?

The optimal season for horse camping in Colorado is late spring through early fall, with summer being ideal in most locations. At high elevations like Big Creek Lakes Campground, the camping season is limited to June through August due to its 9,000+ foot elevation. Even summer months can experience snow at higher elevations, so come prepared. Freeman Reservoir Campground is excellent during summer months with access to hiking, biking, and fishing. Lower elevation sites have longer seasons, typically from May through September or October. For fishing enthusiasts, early summer offers better conditions than late season (August). Be aware that mountain weather can change rapidly in any season, so always pack accordingly with extra layers and rain gear.

What amenities should I expect at equestrian camping sites in Colorado?

Equestrian camping sites in Colorado typically offer horse-specific amenities alongside standard camping facilities. At Winding River Resort, you'll find family-friendly activities with direct access to the Colorado River headwaters. Most equestrian sites provide corrals or hitching posts, water access for horses, and designated horse trails. Colorado Campground near Woodland Park offers proximity to numerous trails while staying close to civilization for supplies. Basic amenities typically include vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. More developed equestrian campgrounds may feature potable water, showers, and electrical hookups. Many sites also provide ample parking for horse trailers and separate camping areas to minimize disturbance between horse and non-horse campers.

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