Equestrian camping near Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico offers access to diverse terrain across Carson National Forest at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 feet. The region's high-desert climate creates distinct camping seasons, with most facilities open May through October. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, requiring proper cold-weather gear even during summer months when overnight temperatures can fall into the 40s.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: The area surrounding Cimarron Campground provides extensive riding options through varied landscapes. "Miles of hiking and an abundance of wildlife, we watched several herds of Elk down in the valley on one of our hikes. We had deer roam through our campsite, they could care less that we were even there," notes Terry R.
Fishing access: Riders can combine trail excursions with fishing stops at stocked waters. At Hopewell Lake Campground, "The trout fishing is fun and always a success at the lake," according to Sara S., making it ideal for equestrians wanting to combine activities.
Winter riding options: Unlike many mountain areas, some trails remain accessible during colder months. Seasonal riders visiting Rio Costilla Park appreciate that "10,000 acres of aspens and ponderosa pines only one hour away from the town of Taos" remain available when other areas close, as Lila L. mentions.
What campers like
Secluded corrals: Horse-friendly sites with dedicated containment areas allow equestrians to camp comfortably. At Mallette Creek North, campers report "Beautiful view! A couple of neighbors but never heard them. Not the easiest piece of ground to get the trailer leveled but we made it work," according to Rosalinda S.
Natural water sources: Many equestrian campers value sites with creek access for their horses. "Camping is great too as you can park next to the river. It's pricey at 20.00 a night but worth it," notes Michelle B. about Rio Costilla Park, where riders can water their horses naturally after trail rides.
Wildlife viewing: Equestrian campers regularly report excellent wildlife sightings from horseback. "We didn't take our TRD pro Taco coz we thought our All wheel super handling SUV would be good enough but definitely there are some off-roading you can enjoy," explains Lila L. about accessing wildlife viewing areas from Rio Costilla Park.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camps often require slow driving. "It takes an hour to get to the campsite on a graveled road off the highway out of Cimerron. 25mph was best speed to go to handle the washboard road to the campsite," explains Ken M. about accessing horse trails.
Limited cell service: Most equestrian camping areas have no connectivity. At Santa Barbara Campground, a rider-accessible location, campers note it has "drinking water and pit toilets, but no cell service," according to Jacqueline D.
Seasonal availability: Horse-friendly facilities typically operate from May through October. Cimarron Campground "doesn't open until the first of July sometime because elk are caving and they don't want people to bother them," according to Ricky B., affecting riding season planning.
Weather variability: Even summer nights can be cold at higher elevations. Robin T. notes that in the Pecos wilderness accessible from Santa Barbara Campground, "The hiking was AMAZING. Views AMAZING..." but temperature drops require appropriate horse blankets and rider gear.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with proper facilities: When bringing children and horses, prioritize locations with reliable amenities. At Hopewell Lake Campground, "Vault toilets were well stocked and clean. Trails near b for hiking and biking," notes Karen N., making it suitable for family riding trips.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Prepare children for safely observing animals from horseback. "The only negative thing was that we found some trash at our site from the previous campers. Also, some cows woke us up early in the morning, which was cool, but also scared the shit out of us!" reports Christa A. about Rio Costilla Park.
Consider accessibility: Some equestrian areas require significant driving on rough roads. "The road to get here from Amalia becomes very wash boarded. It is a long road to get here and is wash boarded the whole way," warns Jen M. about reaching Cimarron Campground, which can be challenging with children and horses.
Tips from RVers
Trailer parking limitations: Horse trailer parking requires advance planning. At Little Arsenic Springs Campground, "There are two campsites I3 and I2 that are cliffside campsites with amazing views," notes Parth P., but accessing these with horse trailers requires specific approach routes.
Generator restrictions: Many equestrian camping areas limit generator use. At Mallette Creek North, one camper noted, "When I camp, I want some degree of privacy and silence. This place feels like a tailgating party. At no point did I not hear a generator," highlighting how some ignore these restrictions.
Water access concerns: Not all horse camps have reliable water sources. At Cimarron Campground, Stephen K. mentions, "There were pit toilets which were clean, but flies at them got thick as the day warmed up," indicating the need to bring additional water for horses during warmer periods.
