Hello, my wife and I are wanting to take a trail riding vacation to Colorado toward the end of June 2014. Does anybody have any suggestions on where would be a nice place to camp? I know there is a lot of camp and trail information online, but first hand information from folks who have been there is always better. We will be travelling in a 4-horse LQ with a 30 foot floor (10 ft shortwall) pulled by a F350 Powerstroke. We are willing to dry camp (no hookups) or a full hookup camp. Any suggestions on nice horse camps: state,, federal or private would be highly appreciated.
Posted 2013-12-29 7:06 AM (#156455 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've enjoyed rides around the Durango and Purgatory area. I've also camped up on the Grand Mesa. This have all been primitive camps. But there was usually horse water in nearby lakes or streams.If you want to come a few hours farther west. I can give you more suggestion in Utah.
Posted 2013-12-29 3:37 PM (#156469 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
Regular
Posts: 73 Location: rochelle va.
This past July we camped in West Elk Wilderness area just outside of Gunninson. The base camp was at 10,000 ft. We took day rides from there to 12,598 ft. The trails are great, dry camping at it's best. We stayed 8 days. There was 2 lakes. We saw fish in them but did not catch anything of size. I would go back anytime. Elk, deer and other wildlife everywhere.
Posted 2013-12-29 3:52 PM (#156472 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I pulled right through Purgatory ski resort and camped along the stream on the back side of the resort. Some of the trails we rode were actually ski runs in the winter. NATRC does a Competitive Trail ride there around the end of July, So they had 50 miles of trails marked for the ride. It was pretty country and nice trails. The Grand Mesa is near Grand Junction. There is a hiway from Mesa over the top and down to Cedaridge. Lots of places to pull off that hiway and park in the trees. Since you drive up to 10,000. it's pretty level riding once on top of the Mesa.I've also ridden along the Colorado River right along the Utah-Colorado state line. It's a nice spring ride, but I think that area would be too hot in the summer to really enjoy.
Posted 2013-12-31 9:24 AM (#156528 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
Regular
Posts: 99 Location: Pleasant Plain, Ohio 45162
Did you take your own horses when camping at West Elk or did you use the outfitters from that area. I noticed they had a base camp at 10,000' also and a friend of mine is going to use Tenderfoot outfitters for a trip next summer.
Posted 2013-12-31 2:53 PM (#156533 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
Regular
Posts: 73 Location: rochelle va.
I hauled 2 TWH's across the country. Left Va on July 1st got back on the 30th. It was a great trip. If you go there, get a Nat Geo Map. It is worth every penny. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Posted 2014-01-08 10:57 AM (#156763 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
Regular
Posts: 69 Location: missouri
We love the area near Grand Lake Colorado. It is the west entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park. Tons of moose, elk, eagles, etc 2 years ago some of our group saw a bear. Last year we didnt see any which is fine by me. Lots of trails, lots of trails, did I mention lots of trails. There is a lot of Colorado River headwaters in this area so water for the horses is not a problem. we stay at Winding River Resort. Also down by Gunnison, cant think of the name of the camp something Elk is also nice, it is primitive but amenities not far away.
Posted 2014-01-22 6:36 AM (#157099 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
New User
Posts: 2
This have all been primitive camps. But there was usually horse water in nearby lakes or streams.If you want to come a few hours farther west. I can give you more suggestion in Utah.
Posted 2014-01-23 9:12 PM (#157128 - in reply to #156450) Subject: RE: Colorado Horse Camps
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
We have ridden out of the trailhead at West Elk.. Fabulous riding. We stayed a week or so... There is a little capped off spring a ways back up the road (like headed back to Gunnison) where you can refill your people water in jugs... delicious water, and there is a forest service vault style bathroom there at the campsite/trail head... makes it easier on not filling up the LQ tank.
Colorado Horse Camps
