Horse Camping in Colorado

Canyon Trails Ranch Campground is a rider-friendly spot just outside of Cortez, Colorado, and a convenient base for exploring the area. Getting into the campground isn’t too bad as long as you take it slow and plan your turn, especially with a trailer. The campsites are very open with no shade at all, giving it a true high-desert feel with plenty of sagebrush around most sites. One thing to be aware of is the layout of the hookups: the power pedestal and water spigot are on the opposite side of where you back in. It doesn’t affect maneuvering, but it does mean you’ll want extra-long power cords and water hoses to reach comfortably. Overall, it’s a straightforward, easy campground that works well if you come prepared for the sun, the exposure, and the hookup layout.

This is dry camping in designated camping area. There is no water, but there is a stream nearby (500 ft) where you can pump water into containers if you run out.

If you’re planning to stay in the equestrian campground, it’s strongly recommended to make a reservation rather than hoping for an open site when you arrive. This campground can fill up, and arriving without a reservation may leave you without a spot. The drive up Hermit Park Road from Highway 36 is manageable in dry conditions. There are a couple of tight switchbacks, so take your time and watch for oncoming traffic before entering those corners—especially when hauling a trailer. Once you reach the equestrian campground, maneuvering through the loop can feel tight for larger rigs. The layout has the feel of an older campground that was later adapted for equestrian use. It’s not limited strictly to horse campers, so you may encounter traditional RV or tent campers in the area as well. The campsites are on the smaller side, and the horse corrals are fairly compact. Most sites include two side-by-side 10x10 corrals. Electrical hookups are available at the sites; however, there are no individual water spigots. Water is available within the campground, but you’ll need to haul it to your site using containers. The trails directly out of camp are generally not difficult. Riders can expect a mix of open meadows, a few gradual climbs, and some historic homestead remnants along the way. We did see wildlife during our ride, including a cow moose with her calf. One of the northbound trails offers especially nice views overlooking Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, adding some rewarding scenery to the ride.

Camping at Picket Wire Trailhead offers peaceful, primitive sites with starry nights and curious cattle visitors. Horseback riding to the dinosaur tracks is a leisurely adventure through stunning canyons, revealing ancient wonders.

Tarryall–Badger Flats is one of our favorite places to camp because of the variety of riding options right from camp. On several trips, we’ve simply saddled up and ridden straight out of Badger Flats, spending full days exploring nearby trails without ever needing to move the trucks. In the fall, when the weather is cooler and the aspens are turning, we’ll sometimes bring a second truck with our bumper-pull trailer and haul out to different trailheads for day rides. This gives us access to an even wider range of terrain while still keeping Badger Flats as our home base. Trailheads we’ve trailered to while camping at Tarryall–Badger Flats include: Twin Eagles Trailhead (Brookside–McCurdy Trail) – 16 miles from camp Mueller State Park – 26 miles from camp Dome Rock State Wildlife Area Trailhead – 27 miles from camp Goose Creek Trailhead – 29 miles from camp Horse Thief Park Trailhead – 29 miles from camp Whether riding straight out of camp or trailering to nearby trailheads, Badger Flats offers excellent flexibility and makes it easy to tailor each trip to the season, weather, and riding goals.