Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort provides lodging options for equestrians about 108 miles from Kirtland, New Mexico, in the Mancos, Colorado area. The resort offers full-service RV sites and cabins with water, electric, and sewer hookups for travelers with horses. Several other camping options exist within driving distance, including Target Tree Campground and Cherry Creek Gravel Lot, each offering different levels of amenities and access to riding trails.
What to do
Explore nearby Mesa Verde National Park: Echo Basin Ranch serves as a convenient base camp approximately 25 miles from this archaeological treasure. Camper Dave notes that Target Tree Campground "sits between Mesa Verde and Durango and is a perfect launch for this area. All kinds of activities are nearby."
Utilize the off-leash dog area: Echo Basin offers dedicated pet spaces that many visitors appreciate. "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," reports Soren B.
Visit Durango via public transportation: When staying at La Plata County Fairgrounds, take advantage of public transit. "The Durango to Silverton train runs right next to the fairgrounds... There is also a town trolley service that will take you into the main part of town," shares Steve W. Another visitor adds, "Trolley stop across the street will take you to Main Ave for $1 each way."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers frequently mention the generous spacing between sites at Target Tree Campground. Lauren describes it as having "beautiful well spaced sites with plenty of room to spread out," while another camper notes it's "developed camping, but not right on top of each-other."
Affordability in prime locations: La Plata County Fairgrounds offers budget-friendly options in Durango. One visitor shares, "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... It was $28 for a night."
Clean facilities: Campground hosts receive praise for maintaining high standards. At Target Tree, ED K. reports, "All campsites are carefully raked and put in good shape - no ashes left in rings." Another visitor mentions "sparkling clean bathrooms," while Target Tree's facilities are described as "2 very clean pit toilet bathroom facilities w/ 2 heads at each."
What you should know
Highway noise impacts some campgrounds: Proximity to roads can affect your experience at several horse campgrounds near Kirtland, New Mexico. At Target Tree, one camper notes "Road noise is not awesome. Try to get the sites furthest back," while another describes "all-day highway noise in an acoustically perfect valley."
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have issues with water sources. At Target Tree, a visitor cautions that "Some drinking water taps, especially in loop B, dispense very bleachy water." Meanwhile, ED K. reports more positively that there is "Good water hauled in from Durango and available at numerous spigots thruout camp."
Access challenges for dispersed camping: Cherry Creek Gravel Lot offers free camping but with limitations. One camper reports, "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." Another notes, "There are more secluded places up the hill a ways but it gets kinda rough."
Tips for camping with families
Seek out campgrounds with recreational amenities: Echo Basin Ranch offers multiple activities for all ages. Ethan C. shares, "This place is the best, we had a blast and there are plenty of things to do for adults and children." Another camper adds, "What keeps bringing us back are the friendly people, the large and absolutely beautiful sites and the long list of things to do."
Reserve tent sites with appropriate padding: Target Tree's tent areas require extra preparation. One camper advises, "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."
Consider noise levels for light sleepers: For families with young children, noise can disrupt sleep patterns. At Cherry Creek, a camper notes, "You can hear the highway, but it's not much. Just ambient background noise." For fairground camping, be aware that "There was traffic back and forth most of the day that kicked up some dust. It was also a bit noisy."
Tips from RVers
Big rig accessibility varies significantly: Echo Basin receives high marks for accommodating larger vehicles. Bill reports, "Great park for larger RV's we have a 40 ft toy hauler plus the added ramp patio plenty of room."
Prepare for water connections: At La Plata County Fairgrounds, hose length matters. Dallas W. warns campers to bring extra equipment: "Water and electric but may need 50' hose as water shared with other sites."
Expect varying hookup options: While some campgrounds offer full hookups, others provide minimal services. At Target Tree, you'll find water but no electricity. One reviewer notes it has "potable water available" but no electric service, while Cherry Creek offers no hookups at all, making it suitable for self-contained units.
