Venable Trail
Be prepared for over 3,000 feet of elevation gain—this is a demanding but beautiful ride.
Found in 1 campground.
Trail features
Horse camping for Venable Trail
This adventure begins out of Alvarado Campground. The shorter connector trail gets ankle-breaking rocky for about 3/4 of a mile on the way to the trailhead. If I were to do it again, I would take the longer western loop route to the trailhead, as shown on the Rainbow Trail map. It’s a bit longer, but much easier on the horses.
This is a long, steady climb all the way up to Venable Lakes at over 12,000 feet. Expect some steep sections and potential downed trees to navigate around. The trail is fairly easy to follow, and don’t be surprised if you end up riding through snow. This is a lot like the Goodwin Trail and it's conditions.
This is definitely iconic Colorado riding. There are a couple of meadows where you can give the horses a break and let them get a drink. You’re experiencing the Rocky Mountains at their best.
VERY IMPORTANT — DO NOT attempt the Phantom Trail!
States where this trail appears
Campgrounds mentioning Venable Trail
Alvarado Campground
Westcliffe, COView detailsHide detailsAmenities AvailableWaterWaterHighlinesHighlinesPensPensTurnoutTurnoutStoreStoreDump StationDump StationBring * Set up your own * AllowedWaterWaterPensPensHighlinesHighlinesElectric FencingElectric FencingHookupsWaterWaterElectricElectricSewerSewer60
Alvarado Campground
Alvarado Campground is a great horse camp that feels like it was designed by people who actually ride. It’s a smaller, more focused setup, but it offers a solid base for riders looking for a more rugged and rewarding experience.
The setting is beautiful, and once you get up into the higher elevations, the views open up into something that feels wild, remote, and unforgettable.
Access into the campground is manageable, but once you’re there, everything is fairly spread out depending on your site. The equestrian sites are split between a main loop and one additional site closer to the lower entrance.
Getting water to your horses requires hauling from campground spigots, but it’s very doable with a little planning.
There are four equestrian sites total — three grouped in the main equestrian loop and one additional site near the lower entrance.
The main loop includes two permanent corrals, which are a nice feature. That said, bringing your own portable panels and hot wire can give you more flexibility depending on your setup.
The riding here is not casual. The terrain is very rocky, and we always use boots on our horses. Trails heading into the mountains involve significant elevation gain, with routes climbing up toward 12,000 feet.
It’s demanding riding, but extremely rewarding. Once you get higher up, the terrain opens up with incredible views and a true backcountry feel.
Reservations are required and can be made through Recreation.gov.
Plan accordingly for the rocky terrain — proper hoof protection is strongly recommended.
This is a better fit for riders looking for more challenging terrain and elevation rather than relaxed or beginner-friendly riding.
Even though water is available via a spigot near the entrance to the equestrian campsite, I did specify that you'd be advised to bring in your own water. Depending on what site you're in, it could be quite the task of toting any significant amount of water.