Best Equestrian Camping near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG

Join the fun near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG, WY. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG (8)

    1. Big Creek Lakes Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cowdrey, CO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 723-2700

    $20 / night

    "Big Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August."

    "Worst part—> *You will have to travel down a gravel/dirt road for ~30 miles to get to the lake and campground. Sections of it are TERRIBLY washboarded."

    2. Vedauwoo Wagon Road

    12 Reviews
    Buford, WY
    44 miles

    "Need high clearance and a good off roading car to get all the way through. Also side note, turns out the road goes all the way through! Both ends go straight to a high way which is sweet."

    "We were driving through the area and needed a quick/easy place to camp for the night. Even in mid-July, we were the only people there. Spots are labeled well, with great fire pits at every sight."

    3. Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Walden, CO
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 826-5000

    "Sites aren’t really marked/but are right next to the reservoir. No fires/water pumps."

    4. Laramie River Road Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Red Feather Lakes, CO
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 295-6600

    "Options for camping in campgrounds, close to others, or more alone. Options to camp near the lake, river, or on dry land.options for large or small camping areas. Peaceful and beautiful."

    "There is a camp ground near by with a porta-potty and there is a small market about 10-20 miles away."

    5. North Fork Poudre Campground

    5 Reviews
    Red Feather Lakes, CO
    41 miles
    Website

    "The beautiful Kilpecker Creek runs through the camp and most of the campsites are situated right along the creek. All of the campsites have a good tent pad, fire pit and picnic table."

    "It gets very cold at night if you’re near the river!"

    6. Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch

    5 Reviews
    Red Feather Lakes, CO
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 881-2450

    "The stable horses came up next to the site every morning. It is a massive site that accommodated our trailer, a 2-person tent, 2 vehicles and still had room to spare."

    "Staff was friendly except for at the horse back riding. They don't let you ride if you look like you weigh more than 200lbs. RV parking is a little tight for bigger rigs but great tent spots."

    7. Medicine Bow

    3 Reviews
    Encampment, WY
    38 miles

    "There is a sign at the beginning of the dirt road for high clearance and 4 wheel drive. This is not a suggestion. This spot was beautiful, peaceful and primitive."

    8. Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-bow Routt Nf (CO)

    1 Review
    Clark, CO
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 870-2299

    $150 / night

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG

9 Photos of 8 Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG

47 Reviews of 8 Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Shannon O.
    Jun. 19, 2019

    Medicine Bow National Forest Brooklyn Lake Campground

    Very pretty, lots of beetle kill. :(

    Beautiful area of Wyoming. The campground is clean and remote, but busy. There was a lot of beetle kill removal work going on when I was there, but I think that has slowed down some.  Nice trails close by and the lake is lovely.

  • Michelle G.
    Aug. 17, 2021

    Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch

    A variety of camping options

    We camped here in a trailer for almost a week. We were shocked at the availability of spaces given that Colorado is notoriously booked up by February.

    Our space was The Overlook and it had an amazing view. The stable horses came up next to the site every morning. It is a massive site that accommodated our trailer, a 2-person tent, 2 vehicles and still had room to spare. The only downsides were no picnic table, little shade, and lots of wind up there.

    We drove around to view the other sites. Many options including walk-in sites, riverside camping, and campsites with corrals for horse camping. If you have a larger trailer, avoid the lower sites. Keep to 1-5 or the Overlook for access.

    There are stocked trout ponds. You have to pay an additional fee to fish in them. We bought fish food and never saw a fish. The ponds really needed to be maintained as there was a lot of weed growth.

    The office is on the first floor of the condo building. Usually open until 4 pm. There is a restaurant (closed while we were there).

    Showers are available for $5.

    A gift shop/store is available with various small items and treats.

    WiFi is available at the office and restaurant. Campsites are too far away. Couldn’t reach it with our WiFi extender either. (Normally wouldn’t want to but working sucks.)

    Water for trailers is available bit a tad challenging to access simply because of sharp turns. I can’t speak to water availability for lower campsites.

    Trash containers at both the lodge area and at the lower campground.

    There is no dump on-site. However, there is a fee-based dump about 1.5 miles away in the Crystal Lakes Community. $10 per use with free water.

    The stables are managed separately but are directly across the road. Super friendly and reasonable rates for trail rides. Our 5 & 7 year old granddaughters were able to ride their own horses and had trail riders lead them. Super nice folks!

    This is open year-round (condos/cabins in winter) with tubing, skating, and X-country skiing in winter.

  • IThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2021

    Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch

    Great for people with horses

    Overall, I had a good time here. Staff was friendly except for at the horse back riding. They don't let you ride if you look like you weigh more than 200lbs. RV parking is a little tight for bigger rigs but great tent spots. There is a horse coral for you at nearly every RV site. No hookups but was able to fill water tank. Queit, peaceful area.. Good firepits. The restaurant food wasn't that great. There are condos if you don't own an RV or tent. We went to Crystal Lake up the road and had a good day.

  • Dan T.
    May. 10, 2019

    Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch

    This really is Heaven on Earth!

    To say we love Beaver Meadows would be a huge understatement. We spend just about every other weekend there all year long - winter and summer. We got married there in 2014 (as our photos show) and it was beautiful. The outdoor wedding area is amazing and right by a river. The reception hall for after is so cool with giant windows so you can look out in every direction on nature and you celebrate your big day. Ever since we've been hooked. They had cabins, condos, lodges, and camp spots so every guest had a place to stay the night.

    When you pull around the corner and into the valley it takes your breath away every single time. Lush green fields, ponds, stunning mountain backdrops, wildlife, horses running free, people fishing and riding horses. It's a playground for adults and kids and it's only an hour from our house in Fort Collins - we can't stay away. They have a yummy restaurant too so we never even bring food - we just eat there.

    In the winter we go snow tubing (12 + runs with a lift) and stay in one of their little heated cabins which is so cozy but also provides all the amenities of home (kitchen, bedrooms, entertainment, etc). We love to go up before a storm and watch the snow start to fall. In the spring and summer we are up there camping along the river all the time. Each site is unique so we like to change it up each time - we go hiking, horseback riding, and fish in the stocked ponds! There are some unique fish in there - really neat. In the fall we like to go up and do the "river walk" - a series of paths and bridges through tall foilage that feels like your in a different world. Watching the leaves change is awesome in the fall - compares to any drive you can do in the state - soooo many aspens.

    If your looking for a romantic weekend with the significant other or a family vacation with the kiddos - I would highly suggest making the drive up - I bet you will fall in love with it just like we did and won't be able to stay away.

  • T
    Jun. 15, 2020

    Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch

    Excellent location and spaces

    Spent a quick couple of days there in late May. Was surprised to find they had openings. Our campsite was down a few steps and right next to the river flowing through the property, nestled amongst the pines, and shady. In this area, the distance between campsites was great. We did a lot of hiking and relaxing. The scenery and landscape in Red Feather Lakes area is as cool as it is unique. Really enjoyed it and will visit again.

    Two Things:

    - Firepits do not have any sort of cooking grate...we had to get creative, but made it work.

    - Really only room for one tent in this campsite until that tree is further cut/removed

  • Sarah C.
    Aug. 3, 2018

    Big Creek Lakes Campground

    Beautiful, remote gem in the Rockies

    We camped here July 25th-29th, 2018 with our 5 children (4-13) in our pop up camper. 

    First thing to know is this is a remote area of CO at 9,000+ ft. elevation. It is also an area that has been affected by wildfire (2016). It is still absolutely gorgeous!

    Worst part—> You will have to travel down a gravel/dirt road for ~30 miles to get to the lake and campground. Sections of it are TERRIBLY washboarded. Plan for over an hour to navigate through. You will be rewarded at the end! 

    There is zero cell service (we have Sprint and Verizon), no electric/water/sewer hook ups or bathhouses. There are pit toilets throughout the campground that appeared to be very well maintained and cleaned often. There are also numerous water spigots throughout with potable water. 

    The sites are all HUGE, almost all are pull through and many offer beautiful lake views with trails directly from your campsite to the water. We were in site 14. It did not have a water view, but was still amazing. All sites are gravel and appear to be fairly level. Most have pine trees, boulders and other natural landscaping that adds to the beauty of the campground. Very nice metal fire pits and sturdy, large picnic tables (though many are slightly bowed) were present at each site we saw. Bear proof dumpsters were easily accessible. 

    We had hundreds of chipmunks visit us each day to clean up the kids’ crumbs. We also saw antelope and deer on the drive in and several moose, elk and a coyote off the highway heading to RMNP. 

    There are two trailheads in the campground, lots of areas to fish, a boat dock and horse corral. 

    This was our very first run at dry camping. We were 10 hours from home with 5 kids! We may be crazy, but lots of memories were made and we are calling this trip a big success! 

    This campground was only $10/night and a true hidden gem in the Rockies. (Those roads though...ugh!)

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Vedauwoo Wagon Road

    Great location

    I went on Labor Day weekend, it was quite busy BUT I was still able to find a spot. Need high clearance and a good off roading car to get all the way through. Also side note, turns out the road goes all the way through! Both ends go straight to a high way which is sweet. There are many animals so make sure everything is bear proof and prepared for one to come by!

    The road winds through and there are many different roads that brand off and have a bunch of sites at too

  • 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.


Guide to Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG

Horse camping near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG in Wyoming offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With several well-reviewed campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities for horses

  • At Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch, each RV site features a horse corral, making it convenient for those traveling with horses.
  • Big Creek Lakes Campground provides access to trails directly from your campsite, allowing for easy exploration with your horse.
  • Seedhouse Group Site accommodates groups and includes facilities for horse camping, perfect for larger gatherings.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • At Medicine Bow, horse camping is allowed, and the area is known for its rugged beauty and privacy.
  • Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping offers a serene environment where you can enjoy the outdoors with your horse, although amenities are limited.
  • Laramie River Road Dispersed features numerous spots for horse camping along the river, providing a peaceful backdrop for your adventures.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and corrals

  • North Fork Poudre Campground is situated near trails that are perfect for horseback riding, enhancing your camping experience.
  • Big Creek Lakes Campground not only allows horses but also offers scenic views and fishing opportunities nearby.
  • State Forest State Park features trails suitable for horseback riding, making it a great choice for equestrian campers looking to explore the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG is Big Creek Lakes Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG, with real photos and reviews from campers.