Camping near Leadville with horseback riding

Hidden in the Rockies, Leadville stills feels like a Wild West frontier.

93% (1580 reviews)
93% (1580 reviews)

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12 top campgrounds near Leadville with horseback riding

98%
(852)

Rustic Creek Ranch

32 sites · RVs, Tents160 acres · Bailey, CO
The 160 acre ranch was homesteaded by my grandfather over 100 years ago. He was an engineer. The plan was to use this property as summer grazing for his cattle. The cows were wintered at the other ranch about 10 miles away, which was homesteaded by my great grandfather. Because my grandfather could survey, he made sure the property lines zigzaged up the valley so the small creek was in the middle to provide water for the animals. He chose well. It is a beautiful, quiet place with elk, deer and wild turkeys. There are tons of wild flowers in the summer. Columbines, the Colorado state flower, wild roses, paintbrushes and lots of wild chokecherries. With nice views of nearby mountains, open pastures, evergreen forests and aspen groves, it looks like it did 100 years ago. Plus, there are a couple of ponds for your dogs to cool off in. Since the first cattle, the ranch has also been home to goats, chickens, horses, and now alpacas and llamas. And of course the Great Pyrenees ranch dogs. I had a house built a few years ago and live on the property full time. The ranch is surrounded by Pike National Forest with the Colorado Trail connecting the property in a number of places. Some of the highest ranked mountain bike trails are nearby. There are lots of places on and off the property to hike, mountain bike and ride your horse. On a clear night you can see thousands of stars and hear coyotes howl. For a drone video of the ranch check out: YouTube's Midsummer 2020 Flyover. Elevation 8,000 feet, Average Summer Temperatures: Days 60-80 f, Nights 45-60 f, Sunshine Average 73-80%, Colorado Trail Segment 3, USGS Maps: Windy Peak & Green Mountain quadrangles. This is the official info. Basically, the weather is usually similar to the Denver area - just 10 degrees cooler. About 8 miles away is the small town of Bailey. It has just about everything you might need: small grocery store, gas, laundry, art gallery, a dollar store, hardware store, camping and sports equipment, brew pub, winery, a few restaurants, potable water station and more.
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$35
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97%
(30)

Creekside Chalets

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Salida, CO
Welcome to Creekside Chalets Escape from the stresses of everyday life with a rejuvenating mountain vacation. Here you can revel in the beauty of the mountains, relax to the sounds of the river, and experience an unforgettable trip. Our cozy and charming cabins & campsites offer stunning views, wonderful amenities, and an unbeatable location. Nestled among picturesque peaks, there is no shortage of lovely sights when you stay in our campsites & cabins. Every season is equally lovely. From snow-capped peaks in the winter to bright gold aspen leaves in the fall, you’ll never be left wanting when it comes to picture-perfect surroundings. We are just minutes from Monarch Mountain, which boasts 800 ski-able acres and an annual average snowfall of over 350 inches. Just a short drive east of our cabins is Salida, Colorado known as the ‘Gem of the Rockies’. This small but vibrant town offers a number of restaurants and shops as well as festivals and events throughout the year. New for 2023 Creekside Chalets has added 3 Creekside Camping spots all with access to the North Fork of the South Arkansas creek that flows through the property. The sites are located in an aspen grove along the creek with a picnic table provided and room to park one vehicle up to 20 feet long and space for a tent. 30 amp power is provided to each site, a porta-potty within 250 feet and water from a camp spigot. The campsites are pet friendly, $30 per pet per stay, max 2 pets.
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$50
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99%
(36)

Fisherman's Cabin

1 site · Lodging4 acres · Bailey, CO
Cozy, small, one room cabin and an outhouse with a sink, solar bag shower, and composting toilet. Propane heat and single burner for heating up some coffee or a snack. Large beautiful deck with fire-pit and grill and peaceful river sounds. forest views sits on 4 acres. Park right next to the cabin with a 4x4/AWD or 50ft away with any vehicle. The Fisherman’s Cabin, hosted by Huts and Hills, has a wild and unique history. Originally it was built by two professors from Berkeley College as an annual mountain campsite. They used to make the pilgrimage every year from California to Colorado to come relax in the wonderful forest of the Lost Acres National Park. At the turn of the century, the Denver Wheel Club used to have their headquarters right next to the river just down Insmont Dr. and hosted a big bike race every year. This was before there was even a road to the mountains, and the only real public access to these lands were via the train from Denver! Today the Fisherman's Cabin is just a hop, skip and a jump outside downtown Bailey, Colorado and close to many mountain passes like Guanella and Kenosha. There are local hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, and animal watching activities waiting to be experienced. Sleeps 2 plus invite up to 6 friends for camping and goodtimes! Please see the Fisherman's cabin site description for more information! * PROPANE FIRE PIT ONLY, NO FIRES ALLOWED  * THERE IS NO RUNNING WATER but there is a provided water bag for the sink / shower and at this time of year you must bring your own water! * THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY
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$80
 / night
100%
(70)

Campfire Ranch on the Taylor

2 sites · Tents10 acres · CO
We believe campgrounds should be more fun, more accessible and more inclusive for all kinds of campers - that's why we started Campfire Ranch to make camping easier. Our campground is nestled between the granite walls of Taylor Canyon alongside the Taylor River in central Colorado, halfway between Gunnison and Crested Butte, CO. If you've never been to the area, get ready to be amazed, with over 2,500 square miles of public land, 700+ miles of singletrack trail and countless rivers, creeks and lakes to explore. We'll see y'all in the woods! Learn more about this land: *We will open May 19th for the 2023 season!* Camp and adventure in the Gunnison-Crested Butte valley at Campfire Ranch on the Taylor. Book now on our website for additional availability and site details at: Campfireranch.co - we feature walk-in tent only campsites, convenient amenities, demo camping equipment and a full Adventure Concierge service! Please contact us before booking if you are seeking a family focused experience - we do not have a kids area or playground and require that children under the age of 16 be in the company of an adult at all times due to our proximity to Co Rd 742 and the Taylor River. No multi-room tents are allowed at camp, we simply don't have the room, the largest tent size we can accommodate is 12'x12' - please inquire if you have specific tent questions. You can check-in with us anytime after 3pm the day of your reservation, please message us if you need to check-in after 8pm. All campers will be required to sign our release of liability waiver before camping (parents/guardians will have to sign for minors in your group) - you can review these terms and rules on our website: CampfireRanch.co
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$78
 / night
94%
(62)

Bristlecone Camp Breckenridge

1 site · RV, Tent160 acres · Alma, CO
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$50
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91%
(150)

Vail Valley BackCounty Access

6 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Eagle, CO
This Gorgeous 6 acre property has DIRECT PRIVATE ACCESS to Hardscrabble Mountain, The Holy Cross Wilderness and The White River National Forest. There are 24,000 acres of BLM public land and also The White River National Forest with over 3,500 square miles, both with thousands of miles of recreation trails for mountain biking, hiking, ATVing, MOTO X Dirtbiking, SidebySide UTVing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, 4x4 Jeeping/Mudding and snowmobiling. Walk out of your tent, your RV or my cabin and you are in of BLM and The White River National Forest. Plenty of flat, shaded ground with water and electiric available. The biggest shade trees in Eagle County, firepits, and a creek with pond and waterfall with sand beach await. Incredible views of Castle Peak, The Flat tops Wilderness, Red Canyon and Hardscrabble Mountain right from the Property.Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts with the best skiing and powder in the world and Glenwood Springs with the world famous Hot Springs Pool and Glenwood Caverns Amusement Park ( amusement park on top of a mountain) and the new Iron Mountain Hot Springs Each 25 minutes away. Aspen is a little over an hour away.Eagle is the county seat of Eagle County and is know for the Eagle and Colorado River and the amazing system of biking and hiking trails.
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$52.50
 / night
98%
(44)

Sawatch Base Camp

2 sites · Lodging10 acres · Leadville, CO
Completely surrounded by National Forest in the heart of the Rockies at 10,600 feet in elevation, Sawatch Base Camp is one of a kind property at the site of an old turquoise mine with accessible yet private backcountry lodging. Located 6 miles northwest of Leadville, Colorado and 1 mile north of Turquoise Lake, Sawatch Base Camp is perched on a hill overlooking the Arkansas Headwaters, Leadville and the Mosquito Range including 14er Mt. Sherman. This prime location gives quick access to all the best outdoor recreation of the High Rockies, while also being removed enough to provide solitude and quality time with friends and family. In summer and fall (May through November), the property has vehicle access by Forest Service Road 103- known by many other names depending on mapping service including County Road 9A, Turquoise Chief Rd, and St. Kevin Rd. This segment of road is part of the famous Leadville 100 MTB race, lying at roughly Mile 8/Mile 95. In winter months (roughly Thanksgiving through April), the camp is accessible by snowmobile, ski or snowshoe on groomed multi-use winter trails open to the public. The trek in is approximately 4.4 miles from the Leadville Junction Parking Lot, with an elevation gain of roughly 800 feet. The terrain around the yurt provides backcountry skiing through trees with occasional glades. Our backcountry lodging is designed to have minimal impact on the landscape, intentionally rustic while also providing amenities like a wood stove, solar lighting, plush beds and a roomy indoor space to gather. Firewood and propane for the camp stove are provided. The restroom is an outhouse a few yards from the yurt stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Sawatch Base Camp operates under Lake County CUPs 21-10 and 23-33.
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$159
 / night
100%
(3)

Peaceful Ranch, South Park

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Alma, CO
Camp in peace, surrounded by wildlife. Guests love the amenities of South Park, Colorado. A recreational area is located 10 minutes away, offering a pool ($10 for locals, $14 for visitors) with showers, a gym, and yoga classes. Check their website for more information. Downtown South Park is just 10 minutes away and offers stores for fishing gear, restaurants, wine bars, and excellent Mexican food. The market is right on 285 Highway, which leads to Denver or Buena Vista. The scenic ride is beautiful. South Park hosts many carnivals with food trucks that serve amazing dishes. Fall in love with South Park, known for gold medal fishing and hot springs within 40 minutes away. Sleep in your RV with the soothing sound of silence to recharge and find peace. There are great hiking trails nearby and a quiet country road for biking. The ski resort in Breckenridge is just 25 minutes away. The towns of Alma and Fairplay have a history of gold dredging, with some placer gold operations still active. This land was part of a mining project, and some mine entrances were closed by my husband when we first moved here. Learn more about this land and Fairplay at the Visitor's Welcome Center in Downtown South Park. There are lots of historic places to explore. Please be aware that this campsite is full of trees and set in a park-like setting, and wildlife is active here 24/7. We only rent two spots and are located near several national forests. Campsite #1 comes with electricity and water. Please bring your own extensions and hoses; if needed, contact me in advance, and they will be in the blue box.
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$45
 / night
98%
(60)

Riverfront Mountain Ranch

10 sites · Lodging5 acres · Buena Vista, CO
Welcome to our geographic phenomenon! Here at the continental divide; we are lucky to have it all for the Outdoor Enthusiast. Our 5 acre Campground sits right along the Arkansas River. There are (2) 1 Min trails that lead you straight to River Access. Not wanting to get that close? No worries; watch the paddlers and rafters float by all summer long. If the Arkansas River is not enough of a playground for you, you will be happy to know that you have an uninterrupted view of Mount Princeton and the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Peaks. We are also located 1/2 mile from some of the most famous mountain biking trails the USA offers. Mount Princeton Hot Springs are a beautiful 10.5 mile (15 min) drive away. Our campground offers a dreamy Bathhouse with 5 glamoured showers and 5 bathrooms. We have (14) Yurt glamping sites and (2) Riverfront studio cabins. All sites have electricity (heaters included), parking, fire pits (unless we are facing a fire ban), and picnic table. In addition, we have a large community bonfire location and there is access to outdoor grilling. We are excited to have you!
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$195
 / night
94%
(40)

Lodge pole forest

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Fairplay, CO
This property was once a Gold mining encampment in the turn of the last century, just out of view nestled in a pine forest, Learn more about this land: It’s like a national park setting in the trees, you should be very aware that wildlife wanders through here 24/7, near several national forests and gold medal fishing as well as beautiful hot springs within 40-45 minutes
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$80
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100%
(5)

Little Buffalo Cabin

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Hartsel, CO
Experience the charm of our historic 1800s cabin, the Little Buffalo Cabin, in Hartsel, Colorado. Explore Colorado's attractions from this central location, including fishing in nearby Gold Medal waters. The property boasts endless mountain views and the site of the town’s original post office. Nearby local amenities include a quick mart, cafe, saloon, and pizza place. Enjoy the spacious living areas, a cozy queen bedroom, and the versatile office/bedroom space with a futon and desk. The perfect home base for exploring the central Colorado mountains! We're Super Hosts, excited to be able to offer this unique experience to the HipCamp community!
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$129
 / night
100%
(5)

Columbia Cabin

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Buena Vista, CO
This is a unique 5-acre piece of land, surrounded by National Forest and located at the North Cottonwood Trailhead (which access Mount Harvard, Mount Columbia, Brown's Pass, Kroenke Lake, Bear Lake, and Anglemeyer Lake). The river flows directly through the property, so you can fall asleep to the sound of running water. This is an ideal spot to stay for anyone looking to get up for an early morning 14er or fishing hike. Feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, while being at a trailhead and just a 15 minute drive from Buena Vista. There is an antique fire burning stove to warm the cabin, as well as a propane cooking stove. We supply dishes and cooking utensils. You will need a code to enter the gate. After that, you can drive 0.1 miles, right up to the cabin. It is a bumpy road to get to the trailhead, where you find the gate. Four wheel drive is encouraged, in the instance of snow or heavy rain. During the winter, you will likely only be able to drive within 1.5-3 miles of the cabin. Snowshoes and cross country skis are perfect to get you there, in the instance that you park a ways away. There is no electricity, so bring lanterns and headlamps. There is an outhouse just a short walk from the cabin. Only two people can stay in this cabin at a time. Since we have an outhouse, it can only sustain so many visitors.
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$85
 / night

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Camping near Leadville with horseback riding guide

Overview

Camping near Leadville transports you to a bygone era. In this Colorado mining town, horseback riding is still "in," and wilderness adventures are never hard to find.

The snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and San Isabel National Forest just might take your breath away—or maybe it's the altitude. After all, Leadville is the highest city in North America with an elevation of over 10,000 feet. For high country camping in the Rocky Mountains, it doesn't get any better.

Turquoise Lake is a camper's dream—the high elevation means the weather is always crisp. The lake is also a local haunt for trout fishing and water recreation.

If you're ready to make camp, choose from more than eight campgrounds that hug the shoreline. The Molly Brown Campground is especially popular for its lake-view sites. Just remember to bring warm sleeping bags and plenty of layers. Even in July, nighttime temps can drop into the 40s F.

More tent camping and RV sites are available in the Twin Lakes area, just a few miles from Leadville. Campgrounds here offer stunning views of the Rockies and the local reservoir. Breathe in the fresh air while hiking, boating, or fishing.

While camping in Leadville, CO you can also hike a section of the Colorado Trail, which spans 500 miles. Other favorite activities include fly fishing the trout streams, horseback riding, and touring the local mining museums.

The area welcomes campers year round, but most spots only offer tent camping from spring to early fall. In the offseason, stay toasty in a heated log cabin or yurt. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and downhill skiing in the Tennessee Pass are just a snowdrift away.

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