Posted 2010-08-13 6:30 AM (#123460) Subject: suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
Member
Posts: 7
Location: IA
I am starting to plan my husband and I's big horse vacation for next year. We live in Iowa but our family reunion next year is going to be in Windsor, CO and therefore we would like to combine going to the reunion with a weeks long horse back riding trip. So, we are looking for suggestions of places we could go that would be within a days drive of Windsor. We would probably go to the reunion first to give our horses a break from the long trip and to have a few days to start to get used to the altitude change out there. Our first thought is the Estes Park area, but it doesn't have to be that area. We ride gaited horses and would like a weeks worth of riding to do, preferably from right out of camp rather than having to trailer to different places. We have a living quarters trailer and so would prefer a horse camp with water and electric hookups if at all possible.If anyone could give me some suggestions on great places to camp and ride in that general area, I would really appreciate it!Thanks in advance!Toni
Posted 2010-08-13 9:15 AM (#123463 - in reply to #123460) Subject: RE: suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
There's lots of beautiful riding in Colorado but not too many places with electric and water hookups. MLazyC has hookups but the riding isn't that great in my opinion. Winding River Resort has hookups and I have heard is beautiful but expensive. We just returned from 2 weeks in the Flat Tops. We stayed a week at Sweetwater Resort. They have pens for your horses and water no electric. Tons of trails there. We then went up to Marvine campground for another week. They also have nice pens and there's water available there too. We had a generator and only needed to use it a little while in the mornings to shower and charge up the batteries. Marvine is absolutely beautiful. Here's a few pictures:
Posted 2010-08-13 9:18 AM (#123465 - in reply to #123460) Subject: RE: suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
Member
Posts: 6
We rode there a few years ago with the Walkers & Talkers from MO. Winding River Resort has hookups for your LQ trailer and great trails. Check with your friends in Unionville, MO & Hannibal, MO. http://www.windingriverresort.com/
Posted 2010-08-13 9:30 AM (#123466 - in reply to #123460) Subject: RE: suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
There's lots of beautiful riding in Colorado but not too many places with electric and water hookups. MLazyC has hookups but the riding isn't that great in my opinion. Winding River Resort has hookups and I have heard is beautiful but expensive. We just returned from 2 weeks in the Flat Tops. We stayed a week at Sweetwater Resort. They have pens for your horses and water no electric. Tons of trails there. We then went up to Marvine campground for another week. They also have nice pens and there's water available there too. We had a generator and only needed to use it a little while in the mornings to shower and charge up the batteries. Marvine is absolutely beautiful. Here's a few pictures:
Posted 2010-08-14 6:33 PM (#123525 - in reply to #123460) Subject: RE: suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Sweetwater Lake is a hidden treasure........you ride in the Flattops and it is marvelous. We kept our mules in pens there and it was great. Also, around Estes Park, we kept our animals at the Elkhorn Lodge and rode in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the folks at Elkhorn were very hospitable. They don't ordinarily do this, but were very accomodating. Good luck with whereever you go.
Posted 2010-08-15 7:11 AM (#123532 - in reply to #123466) Subject: RE: suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
Member
Posts: 7
Location: IA
pooperscooper,Could you give me more information on where the Sweetwater Resort is as well as the Marvine campground you are talking about? Beautiful pictures and I would like to look into these two areas you mentioned a little more! I will give up hookups for great riding if needed. We do have a generator so we could get by if need be.Thanks!Toni
Marvine is a forest service campground located about 38 miles SE of Meeker Colorado. Both places have quite a bit of riding.
There is water available at both places which is a big plus when primitive camping. Both also have corrals for the horses. Trails aren't marked well at either place but if you can read a map and use a gps you shouldn't have any trouble as they are pretty easy to see and in good shape. About an hour to town from either place so bring what you need. Sweetwater does have a small restaurant and ice right there if you need it.
Posted 2010-08-16 12:15 PM (#123613 - in reply to #123460) Subject: RE: suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Also, at Sweetwater, when we were there, there was a small laundry facility under the restaurant that you could use for a nominal fee......it was a lifesaver! Their food was really excellent, too,.
suggestions for camping & riding in CO for a week
