Marvine Campground
Camping at Marvine gives you access to one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in Colorado. If you're looking for a more remote horse camping experience with incredible mountain scenery, this is hard to beat.
The campground is small and quiet, making it a great place to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors. Wildlife is abundant, so don't be surprised if you see elk, deer, moose, or even bears during your stay.
The equestrian campground has five designated horse camping sites. Three of the sites in East Marvine are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campsites are a little tighter than we expected, and you'll be fairly close to your neighbors. Sites 19, 20, and 21 offer the most room, and there is additional parking available in the loop if you need space for your truck.
There are no hookups at the campground. Water is available from a nearby stream, but you'll need to carry it back to camp since you can't drive directly to the water's edge. There is also a vault toilet nearby, along with a wheelbarrow to help with cleaning the horse corrals.
Each campsite includes one attached corral that's large enough for two horses that get along well. If your horses prefer more space or don't get along, I'd recommend reserving two campsites if possible.
The riding here is outstanding. Trails are marked, but I'd still recommend using a navigation app to help find your way around. There are several main trails with plenty of side trails to explore, making it easy to spend multiple days riding the area.
The must-do ride is the Marvine Trail to Marvine Lakes. It's about a 14-mile round trip and leads to beautiful alpine lakes surrounded by incredible mountain scenery. The first lake, with its turquoise water, is absolutely worth the ride.
Many of the trails include creek crossings, which add to the experience and give horses opportunities to drink along the way.
Marvine is a remote campground, so plan ahead and bring everything you'll need for your stay.
You'll likely share the trails with local outfitters leading guided rides, especially during the summer months. If you're visiting in the fall, be sure to check the hunting seasons before your trip, as hunters also use the area.
If you're looking for a true backcountry horse camping experience with spectacular scenery, great riding, and plenty of wildlife, Marvine is one of those places you'll want to come back to again.