Horse Riding and Camping
The San Juan National Forests offer many trails suitable for horseback riding. Horses are allowed on hiking trails unless a trail is designated for foot travel only. Horses are not allowed in developed campgrounds.
For more information on horseback riding opportunities, check out the following links.
- San Juan National Forest Outfitters and Guides
- Four Corners Backcountry Horsemen
- Mesa Verde Backcountry Horsemen
- San Juan Backcountry Horsemen
Only certified weed-free hay or processed feed may be brought onto National Forest System lands. Only processed feed may be used in wilderness areas. Tree-saver straps for picket lines and portable corrals are recommended.
Check out the some tips and regulations: SJNF Packing with Livestock.
Search for Horse Riding and Camping Opportunities
Buckles Lake Trailhead
The Buckles Lake Trailhead leads to both Buckles Lake Trail (688) and V Rock Trail (578).Buckles Lake Trail is 3 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 663m - Buckles Lake Road, continues past…
Burro Bridge Campground
Site Open
Two miles northeast of Dunton, Burro Bridge is one of three campgrounds along the West Dolores Road (Forest Rd. 535). The campground has 14 sites with a few shade trees on a sloping hillside above…
Chris Park Group Campground
Site Open
The Chris Park Group Campground, one mile south of Haviland Lake on Forest Rd. 166, has 3 group campsites. Two group sites accommodate 75 campers each. A third group site accommodates up to 150…
Coal Creek Trailhead
The Coal Creek Trailhead is the beginning of Coal Creek Trail (581). The trail is 8.8 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 667 - East Fork Rd. and ends at Forest Road 666 - Fawn Gulch Road.The trail…
Cross Mountain Trailhead
The Cross Mountain Trailhead is the start of Cross Mountain Trail (637). The trail is 3.1 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 424 - Cross Mountain and ends at Lizard Head Trail (409). The trail…
First Fork Trailhead
The First Fork Trailhead is the start of the First Fork Trail (538) along Forest Road 622 - First Fork Road.The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding
Fourmile Trailhead
Fourmile Trailhead is the start of both Fourmile Trail (569) and and the Anderson Trail (579).
Glade Guard Station
The Glade Guard Station’s historic structures and location are right out of a western history book. The site is an hour and a half drive (on mostly forest service dirt roads) from Cortez or Dolores…
Junction Creek Campground
Site Open
Junction Creek Campground is located just 5 miles northwest of Durango, is a good base camp for area activities. Four camping loops are nestled amongst the ponderosa pines with a total of 44…
Lower Hermosa Campground
Site Open
The Lower Hermosa Campground has 19 sites. Although horses are not allowed in the campground, the adjacent Lower Hermosa Creek Trailhead has an area with a horse corral for overnight horse…