Aspen Ridge is a place to truly escape with your horses and experience classic Colorado riding. The area offers incredible views of the Collegiate Peaks, known for having the highest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks in the Rockies.

You’ll ride through large aspen groves with frequent opportunities to see wildlife such as elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. It’s a beautiful, remote-feeling area that makes for an unforgettable riding experience.

There’s also a nearby ghost town called Futurity that’s worth checking out during your stay. See maps for directions—it’s a must-see spot in the area.

Access into the campground isn't too bad, though the road can be a bit wash boarded in sections. It’s manageable with trailers, but taking it slow will make for a more comfortable trip in. The pin on google maps shows where we set up camp. There are a couple other places we've camped a little further up the road.

This is a more rugged, self-sufficient horse camping setup with no built-in equestrian amenities like corrals or pens.

Because of the wildlife and free-grazing cattle that can move through camp—including protective cows with calves—we recommend bringing sturdy panels for overnight and setting up electric fencing during the day. You never quite know what might wander through camp.

The riding itself is excellent, with access to scenic mountain terrain, aspen groves, and wide-open views.

This is primitive camping with no hookups, no water, and no provided horse facilities. You’ll need to be fully self-contained.

Plan accordingly for both your own needs and your horses, including water and containment setup.

Broken Arrow is one of our favorite campgrounds near Custer. Being only about four miles from town makes it incredibly convenient if you want to grab dinner or do some shopping. It’s also centrally located to some of the most iconic spots in the Black Hills, including Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore.

The campground itself is very organized, clean, and well maintained. It has a more developed feel compared to many horse camps, making it a comfortable and reliable place to stay.

Access to the campground is no problem, with easy roads in and out and close proximity to town. It’s a great option if you want a basecamp that doesn’t require hauling deep into forest service roads.

Because of its location near Custer and major attractions, it’s easy to plan both riding and non-riding activities without long drives.

The horse setup here is excellent and well thought out. All of the barns have covered stalls with water available, and there are two round pens for turnout. Hitching posts are located by the barns, as horses are not allowed at trailers.

They also provide several golf carts to help haul tack to rental trailers and hitching posts, as well as transport shavings to stalls.

There are miles of trails accessible directly from camp. The owner will help you download routes onto Gaia, and maps are available, but you’ll want to know trail names to navigate effectively. The riding in the area is outstanding, with options like Mount Rushmore routes, Black Elk Loop, Hell Canyon, French Creek, and Galena trails—all offering beautiful scenery and varied terrain.

Due to the rocky terrain throughout the area, boots or shoes are strongly recommended for horses, even on trails leaving directly from camp.

Most sites include water, electric, and sewer, making this a more full-service campground than many equestrian options. There is also a general store on-site with essentials, along with hay, shavings, propane, and even souvenirs. Free internet is available.

There are cabins and trailer rentals available, but you should reserve early. Booking typically opens on the first day of the month prior to your stay (for example, call May 1st for a June reservation).

The campground also includes a bathhouse and laundry facilities, adding to the overall convenience.

Broken Arrow is pet friendly, but dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after. There are also walking areas accessible from the back gate.

This is a popular destination, so planning ahead is important—especially during peak seasons.

Canyon Trails Ranch Campground is a rider-friendly spot just outside of Cortez, Colorado, and makes a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area.

The campground has a wide-open layout with no shade, giving it a true high-desert feel with sagebrush surrounding most sites. It’s a straightforward and easy place to stay, especially if you come prepared for the sun and exposure.

Getting into the campground is manageable, even with a trailer, as long as you take it slow and plan your turns, especially when turning right into the campground itself.

The layout is open, which helps with maneuvering, but being mindful of your approach will make things easier when backing in.

The campground is rider-friendly and works well as a basecamp for exploring nearby riding areas.

Sites are open and spacious, which can make it easier to set up with horses, though there are no natural windbreaks or shade, so planning your setup is important.

One key thing to be aware of is the hookup layout. The power pedestal and water spigot are located on the opposite side of where you back in. Basically, the hookups are on the wrong side.

This doesn’t affect parking, but you’ll want extra-long power cords and water hoses to reach comfortably.

There is a free dump station in the city of Cortez that is very easy to get in and out of.

Be prepared for full sun exposure with little to no shade across the campground.

Mesa County Fairgrounds in Grand Junction is a good, safe place to stay when you’re on your way to another riding destination.

It works especially well as a staging point or overnight stop, and it’s conveniently located for trailering out to nearby riding areas like Colorado National Monument, Dominguez Canyon, and McInnis Canyon.

Access is very easy, with well designed roads for entry and plenty of room for trailers. This makes it a stress-free stop, especially when you’re traveling long distances or heading toward Utah. There are sites with electric and water and others with full hookups.

The setup is simple but functional. There are covered stalls with water nearby, and shavings are provided (and required) for stall use.

There are also two outdoor arenas that can be used for turnout, which is a nice bonus when you’re stopping overnight with horses.

Full hookups are available at some sites, but depending on events at the fairgrounds, you may be placed in a site without them.

Reservations are required, so you’ll need to call ahead to secure a spot (970-255-7107). When you arrive, they will leave a bag of shavings for you, and there is a kiosk for payment.

One convenient perk is that you do not need to clean stalls when you leave—they handle that for you.

Bathrooms are available but may occasionally be locked.

If you’re in the area, there’s a great nearby spot to eat—Aztecas Family Mexican Restaurant—which we make a point to visit every time we stay here.

This is a great overnight stop, especially if you’re traveling to or from Utah or using Grand Junction as a base to explore nearby riding areas.

Hay Creek Ranch is a true horse camp tucked into the Black Hills near Nemo, South Dakota. It’s surrounded by forest on all sides, so once you’re there, it feels like you’re right in the middle of the riding.

We’ve only stayed here once, and it was more of a last-minute stop for us—but they were able to get us in, which worked out well. The campground itself is beautiful and very well kept, and overall it has that laid-back Black Hills feel where you can settle in and focus on riding.

Getting in is manageable, but the final stretch into camp is a bit narrower, so you’ll want to take your time, especially with a larger setup.

Once you arrive, they check your paperwork right away before you unload, and they do ask that you arrive within a certain time window. After that, they assign you a spot—you don’t get to pick your site or your horse stalls, so you’ll want to be flexible with where you end up.

This place is set up well overall for horses, but there are a few things worth knowing going in.

The pens are spacious and the setup is functional, but not all of them are level. Where we were, the stalls had a noticeable slope. We were fortunate to be on the “uphill” side, but it was easy to see how that could be less ideal for horses on the "downhill" end of the run. You’re also not allowed to put down shavings, which could have helped prevent urine flowing to stall next to yours.

Everything you need is there—water, covered stalls, and a layout that generally works—but it’s not a perfect setup across the board.

The riding is still a big draw. You can ride right out of camp into a large trail system, and there’s plenty of terrain to explore. Just know that the trails are not marked, and even using apps like Gaia, they can be difficult to follow at times. We still enjoyed riding the area, but it definitely takes a little more effort to navigate.

The round pen is located at the far end of the campground near the general store. If you want to let your horse roll or work them after a ride, it’s a bit of a walk to get there.

The campground itself is very clean and well maintained, and the General store is a nice bonus—they even have ice cream, which is a nice touch after a long ride.

The hosts were friendly and helpful, and you can tell they care about how things are run. That said, some of the rules don’t seem to be enforced consistently. Dogs are supposed to be contained or on leash, but we saw multiple dogs wandering around, and one even came into our area and peed on a piece of tack.

Another thing to be aware of is smoking at campsites. We ran into situations where nearby campers were smoking, which made it difficult to keep our trailer windows open.

Overall, this is still a solid horse camp with great riding and a beautiful setting. Just go in knowing it’s more of a working horse camp with some inconsistencies, and not everything is going to be perfectly dialed in. For us, this was a once and done.

Indian Creek Equestrian Campground is a smaller, primitive horse camp tucked into the trees in Pike National Forest, not far from the Denver area. It’s one of those places that’s easy to reach but still feels like you’re out in the woods once you’re there.

This isn’t a big or developed campground—it’s simple, quiet, and built specifically for horse campers. It works really well for a quick weekend trip or a couple days of riding without having to travel too far.

Getting in is fairly easy, but once you’re in camp, things can feel a little tighter depending on your setup. Larger rigs can fit, but you may need to take your time getting parked and turned around.

The upper section of the campground (sites 1, 2, and 3) sits on a noticeable slope, which can make setting up a living quarters trailer more of a challenge. It’s doable, but you’ll want to be prepared for some leveling and a bit more effort getting situated.

One of the biggest advantages here is you don’t have to go anywhere once you arrive. You can saddle up and ride right out of camp.

This is a true horse camp, but it’s a shared setup. There are hitching rails and a few small corrals available, and you’re expected to use what’s provided—setting up your own portable panels isn’t allowed.

The corrals themselves are functional, but they’re not perfectly level, which is something to keep in mind depending on your horses and how you like to set them up.

The riding is the highlight here. You’ve got direct access to a solid trail system right from camp, including a longer loop that gives you a good mix of terrain. Some sections are rocky and a bit technical, so it’s better suited for horses and riders that are comfortable with that kind of footing.

This is a primitive campground, so don’t expect hookups or extra amenities. You’ve got vault toilets and standard water spigots available, but that’s about it. Plan ahead and bring what you need, especially for your horses.

Horse facilities are shared and somewhat limited, and since you can’t set up your own panels, you’ll want to plan around what’s available when you arrive.

It can get busy on weekends, especially because it’s so close to the Denver area, so planning ahead is a good idea.

Overall, this is a solid, no-frills horse camp. If your goal is to get into the trees, ride right from camp, and keep things simple, this place does exactly that.

Rockin' K Horse Campground at Kanopolis Lake State Park is one of the better horse-camping options in Kansas and the state’s dedicated equestrian campground. Located near Marquette in the scenic Smoky Hills region, it offers a unique setting with sandstone canyons, rock formations, caves, and lake views that make it stand out from many other Kansas riding areas.

This is a more developed horse camp with a solid mix of equestrian amenities, utility sites, and direct trail access. It works well for weekend trips, longer stays, or even as a stop when traveling across Kansas.

Access into the campground is very easy, and the setup is organized to accommodate horse trailers and RVs comfortably. The campground includes a mix of utility and primitive sites, with many campers preferring the electric or water/electric options.

Reservations are recommended, especially for equestrian sites. Calling ahead is a good idea if you want to confirm availability or current site details before arriving.

Rockin' K is clearly designed for horse campers. It includes multiple large, roomy corrals, with some covered and most open, and each campsite is paired with corral access. There is a one-pen-per-campsite rule, and horses must stay in the designated equestrian areas rather than at trailers or non-horse sites.

Support amenities include horse wash stations, manure bunkers, and cleaning tools such as pitchforks and wheelbarrows. Campers are expected to clean pens daily.

The riding is one of the big draws here. Kanopolis offers roughly 25 to 26 miles of multi-use trails with direct access from camp, so there is no need to trailer out for daily rides. Trails wind through sandstone canyons, rocky bluffs, wooded stretches, and more open terrain. Footing is often sandy and easy going, but some areas include rocky drops, climbs, and more technical sections, so a solid trail horse is a good fit.

Horse campers should plan to bring current Coggins and health papers, and weed-free hay is recommended. It would also be smart to confirm any horse-specific rules with the park before arrival.

The campground has modern shower houses and restrooms, potable water, trash service, and a nearby dump station. Utility sites are popular, so booking ahead is wise.

Summer heat, bugs, and dusty conditions can be factors in Kansas, while rain can make some trails muddy or more challenging. Spring and fall are generally better times to visit if you want more comfortable riding weather.

Overall, Rockin' K is a well-maintained and horse-focused campground that offers a rare combination of good facilities and scenic riding in Kansas.

Miller’s Knoll is a small, horse-focused campground tucked into 50 quiet acres just outside of Panguitch, Utah. This is more of a private, low-key place built specifically with horse campers in mind. The property has wide-open views of Panguitch Valley, and the overall feel is peaceful and uncrowded.

What makes it stand out is how well it works as a basecamp for riding the Bryce Canyon area. You’re within easy trailering distance of several well-known trail systems, so you can stay in one place and still access a variety of rides.

Getting into Miller’s Knoll is easy and trailer-friendly. It’s close to Panguitch, so you’re not dealing with long, rough backroad approaches or tight mountain access. Larger rigs and longer trailers should be able to get in without much trouble.

From camp, most of the riding requires trailering. Key trailheads like Thunder Mountain, Casto Canyon, and Losee Canyon are all within roughly 15–30 minutes. Bryce Canyon National Park is about 20–25 minutes away depending on where you’re headed.

This is where Miller’s Knoll really shines. It’s clearly set up for horse people first.

You’ve got multiple options for keeping horses, including 5 indoor stalls in a rustic barn and outdoor pens. Having both covered and open options is a big plus, especially if weather rolls in.

The campground itself offers a small number of full-hookup RV sites, with some longer pull-throughs that can handle truck and trailer setups comfortably.

Most riders use this as a base and trailer out to different trail systems each day. It works especially well if you want better horse accommodations than some of the larger local places and without the crowds or chaos.

Miller’s Knoll is a smaller, more private operation, so it fills up quickly during peak riding season. Planning ahead and contacting them directly is a good idea if you have specific dates in mind.

This is not a luxury campground. The camping side is fairly basic, and the focus is clearly on the horse facilities rather than high-end amenities. If your priority is your horses and good access to riding, it’s a strong option.

Because you’ll be trailering to most rides, it’s best suited for riders who are comfortable hauling out daily rather than expecting to ride directly from camp. There are also trailers available to rent if needed.

One thing we really like about this location is how close it is to Panguitch. It’s a small town, but it has some fun places to grab a good meal and walk around a bit. It’s nice knowing your horses are safe and settled while you take a break and enjoy a little bit of the local flavor.

We’ve stayed at a couple places in the area, and this is by far our favorite. The owners are fantastic and really add to the overall experience.

This is a stunning privately owned campground located next to the Tonto National Forest and less than a mile from the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

The property itself is immaculate, and the setup is clearly designed with riders in mind. It’s one of those places that feels well cared for and thoughtfully run, making it a very comfortable base for exploring the surrounding desert riding areas.

Access is easy, but it’s important to follow the camp owners’ directions exactly when coming in—they know the best route and it will save you time and hassle. Enjoy the rollercoaster drive on the final stretch. You'll know what I mean once you're on the final stretch.

The location is ideal for reaching multiple riding areas, both directly from camp and by short trailer hauls to nearby trailheads.

The horse setup here is excellent. Stalls are large and covered, with some including additional runs. There is also a round pen and a couple of arenas available for turnout.

You can ride directly from camp into Tonto National Forest, or head down the road to access the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which offers extensive and well-marked desert trails.

If you’re able, it’s worth trailering to other nearby trailheads in the Preserve. Granite Mountain is a favorite, and the trailheads are well designed for equestrians with large parking areas and direct trail access. There are over 200 miles of trails to explore in the area.

We also trailered out to places like Cave Creek and the Salt River, where you may encounter wild horses, as well as the Superstition Mountains, which offer incredible riding and hiking opportunities.

This is desert riding, so preparation is important. Watch out for jumping cholla—they are no joke and can cause serious issues if you’re not paying attention.

Carry plenty of water for both you and your horses, and consider bringing tweezers and a comb to help remove cactus spines if needed.

There are also unique desert features to look for, including the rare triple-crested saguaro.

Overall, this is one of our all-time favorite camps and a great place to experience desert riding at its best.

Tarryall–Badger Flats is one of our favorite places to camp because of the variety of riding options available. It works extremely well as a basecamp where you can either ride directly from camp or trailer out to explore a wide range of nearby trail systems.

It’s a flexible setup that allows you to tailor your trip depending on the season, weather, and how much ground you want to cover.

Access is easy, but the road in usually wash boarded. Once you’re set up, you have the option to stay put and ride out from camp or bring an additional truck and trailer to reach other trailheads in the area.

Having a second vehicle can make a big difference if you plan to explore beyond the immediate trails, especially during longer stays.

One of the biggest advantages of Badger Flats is the ability to ride directly from camp. On several trips, we’ve saddled up and spent full days exploring without ever moving the trucks.

If you want to expand your riding options, there are several excellent trailheads within driving distance, including:

Twin Eagles Trailhead (Brookside–McCurdy Trail) – 16 miles

Mueller State Park – 26 miles

Dome Rock State Wildlife Area Trailhead – 27 miles

Goose Creek Trailhead – 29 miles

Horse Thief Park Trailhead – 29 miles

In cooler months, especially during fall when the aspens are turning, trailering out to these locations can add a lot of variety to your trip.

This is a great location for riders who want flexibility—whether that means staying local and riding from camp or exploring multiple trail systems in a single trip.

Planning ahead with an extra vehicle or trailer can open up significantly more riding opportunities, especially if you’re staying for several days.

Keep in mind that this is also a very popular location for ATV and motorcycle traffic. However, they are restricted to roads and you won't encounter them on the trails, especially the trail maps we've provided.

Valar Horse Facility is more of a working horse setup than a traditional campground, located just outside of Jackson near Hoback Junction. It’s a smaller, hands-on place that’s clearly built around taking care of horses first, with just enough camping setup to make it work for riders traveling through the area.

It has a quiet, ranch feel to it, and it works really well as a base if you’re planning to ride in the Jackson Hole and Grand Teton area. This isn’t a place you come for amenities—it’s a place you come because it works for you and your horses.

Getting in takes a little more attention than some of the bigger campgrounds. The road in isn’t difficult, but it’s not as wide-open and forgiving, so you’ll want to take your time, especially with a larger rig.

Once you’re in, space is a bit tighter than what you’d find at a typical RV park. It’s manageable, just not something you’d consider “spread out.” Most people get in, get set up, and then leave things parked while they’re there. Pia can back your rig in for you if you'd like. She's pretty amazing!

This place is all about the horses. The setup is solid, and you can tell they put a lot of effort into keeping things clean, functional, and well maintained.

You’ve got options with stalls, pens, and turnout, along with things like a round pen and space to work your horses a bit if needed. It’s not fancy, but everything is taken care of and works the way it should.

One of the biggest advantages here is how easy it is to get help figuring out where to ride. Having someone who knows the area and can point you in the right direction makes a big difference, especially if it’s your first time riding around Jackson.

There are also trailer rentals available, which can be a big help if you don’t want to haul multiple rigs or need flexibility once you’re there.

This is a smaller operation, and spots are limited, so it’s something you’ll want to plan ahead for.

It has more of a ranch feel than a campground, and that comes with a few trade-offs. Things can feel a little tighter, and you’re not getting a full RV park experience. If you come in expecting that, it might not be the right fit. You will soon get acquainted with the other guests. There's a large shared deck and hot tub if that's something you enjoy doing.

That said, it’s a place where you can feel comfortable leaving your horses and not worrying about them. Everything is set up with their care in mind, and that peace of mind goes a long way when you’re traveling.

If your goal is to ride in the Jackson and Teton area and have a solid, horse-focused place to stay, this one does exactly what you need it to do.