Horse campgrounds near Farmington, New Mexico require travelers to venture into nearby Colorado for suitable equestrian accommodations. Located in the Four Corners region at 5,395 feet elevation, Farmington experiences warm summers and cold winters with relatively low annual precipitation. Trail access ranges from easy forest roads to technical mountain terrain requiring high-clearance vehicles.
What to do
Trail riding access: Camping near Transfer Campground provides access to forest trails with varying difficulty levels. "Access point for good hikes. One harder hike down to the river and an easier wheelchair accessible hike to an overlook and a view of the peaks," notes Donitza I.
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to spot elk and other wildlife in their natural habitat. At Cherry Creek Gravel Lot, camper Chris S. mentions "Elk views" as a highlight of staying in this free dispersed camping area.
Enjoy local events: Campers can experience regional culture and entertainment when staying at fairgrounds. "Good location close to the center of town. Trolley stop across the street will take you to Main Ave for $1 each way," reports Mark M. about La Plata County Fairgrounds.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer ample room for horse trailers and equipment. "Great park for larger RV's we have a 40 ft toy hauler plus the added ramp patio plenty of room. Park is very clean and quiet plus pet friendly," writes Bill about Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds are consistently noted in reviews. "Wonderful stay the campsite host was great. He had wood for sale the water is spectacular! Vault toliets no showers. Campsites are well spaced out," shares Tarrah C. about Target Tree Campground.
Affordable options: For budget-conscious travelers, fairgrounds camping provides cost-effective stays. "What a find in the middle of Durango. Yes it is dusty and really there is nothing cute about it but you can't beat the location. We had access to the trails by the river. There are only 6 spots with water and 30 or 50 amp electric. It was $28 for a night," explains marine J.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some horse-friendly dispersed camping areas can be challenging. At Cherry Creek Gravel Lot, Adam S. warns: "Getting up there was not possible in my Travato (in my opinion). I've got some Falken Wildpeaks so traction was not so much the issue as the uneven path up."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Transfer Campground is open from May 23 to September 1, limiting late-season access for horse campers.
Highway noise: Several campgrounds experience traffic sounds. "The views are phenomenal. Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Starry nights when I stay awake long enough. Decent easy hiking. All-day highway noise in an acoustically perfect valley keeps this place's popularity limited," notes Ben F. about Target Tree Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Several campgrounds accommodate pets, making them suitable for family trips with animals. "This place has everything: a massive field for dogs to play off-leash (they must be on in the park), a great restaurant, laundry, propane, a swimming pool, and a massive amount of outdoor activities," shares Soren B. about Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort.
Safety considerations: Some locations offer enhanced security for vulnerable campers. Rebecca R. reports, "As a solo older female car/tent camping this place is great. I've never felt safer sleeping in my tent. Everything was nice and clean and I ate at the restaurant my 1st night. Good food and drinks."
Tent site preparation: Families tent camping should prepare for specific ground conditions. J.B. advises about Target Tree: "IF you are tent camping, the tent pads are chipped rock, not round gravel. Bring an extra tarp or two to protect your tent footprint."
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: RVers should note varying hookup availability at horse-friendly campgrounds. "We had electric and water but my need 50' hose as water shared with other sites. Gravel lot near stadium for Rodri events. Can be mucky if it rains," explains Dallas W. about La Plata County Fairgrounds.
Site leveling: Most RV sites require minimal leveling but check specific campground conditions. "The campgrounds were clean, well maintained. There wasn't too much noise and the campsites are reasonably spaced. Potable water available. Composting toilet as well. Stars are fantastic at night," reports hannah about Target Tree Campground.
Reservation planning: Limited site availability demands advance planning. "Only 6 sites. Hard to get a site as lots of events happening here," notes Dallas W. about La Plata County Fairgrounds.