Camping and Horse Trails in Colorado

The beauty of Colorado is quite inviting to naturehiking, fishing, riding ATVs, and observing a variety
lovers everywhere and the miles and miles ofof wildlife, especially an abundance of birds.
scenic trails winding through the state makeVega State Park in central Collbran, Colorado has
Colorado even more appealing. There areconvenient parking for horse trailers with access
thousands of miles of trails in Colorado, rangingto hundreds of miles of trails for horseback riding
from easy to quite challenging and strenuous.in the Grand Mesa National Forest. Horse camping
Some trails are designated for hiking and bicycling,is not available in this Colorado state park, but
while some are used for all terrain vehicles andcorrals are located next to the rustic cabins and
off-roading. There are also hundreds of miles ofnot far from the family campgrounds. Corrals can
bridle trails winding through the gorgeousbe reserved ahead of time.
landscapes of Colorado.One of the four developed campgrounds in
There are 54 national recreation areas in ColoradoColorado State Forest State Park, Brockman
that offer several miles of trails for horsebackCampground, has recently added corral facilities
riding, including 6 national parks, as well as 20for horse camping. State Forest State Park
Colorado state parks with equestrian trails. Threeoffers over 50 miles of trails and roadways that
US Forest Service campgrounds provide horsecan be used for horseback riding, as well as hiking,
camping sites and 2 of Colorado's state parksbicycling, boating, and fishing opportunities. This
offer campgrounds with nearby horse corrals.park also has cabin and yurt rentals year round.
There are also horses for rent at several of theIf you're interested in camping and horseback
recreation areas and state parks.riding in Colorado but don't own a horse, both
San Isabel National Forest in central Colorado hasCherry Creek State Park and Chatfield State Park
four designated trails for horseback riding and 2have stables conveniently located within the
campgrounds that offer horse sites. Alvaradofacilities that offer guided tours and horse rentals.
Reservation Campground has 3 horse campingJust south of Denver, Cherry Creek State Park is
sites that allow 8 people each. Toilets and drinkingquite popular year round because of its extensive
water from a hand pump are provided and theand scenic trails and wide array of amenities,
campground is near the breathtaking andincluding a marina and a model airplane field.
challenging Sangre de Cristo wilderness trails. Don'tIf you are horse camping in Colorado, it is
forget to carry a Coleman emergency poncho inimportant to remember that all the horse feed
case you're caught in one of the commonused on state or national grounds must be
afternoon thunderstorms.certified as weed free. This includes hay and
The Purgatoire Reservation Campground alsopellets. Check with the campground or park you
accommodates 8 campers with horses andplan to camp at ahead of time for other
provides a selection of 8 horse camping sites.regulations regarding your horse. Some corrals do
Jacks Gulch campground in northern Colorado justnot have water so it may be necessary to bring
west of Fort Collins offers 5 horse camping sitesbuckets or a hose.
with corrals and several nearby trails for riding.To learn about cactus varieties and edible cactus,
Visitors to Jacks Gulch can also enjoy bicycling,visit the Types Of Cactus website.