“Camping” can mean a lot of different things to different people, from bare-bones-backpacking to luxury glamping. Camping with horses covers a similarly wide range of activities, but at its core, it’s about enjoying horses, riding, nature, and the wilderness.
Interested in camping with horses with Equescapes in Colorado? Check out our Colorado Trips to learn more.
Types of Horse Camping Trips
Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors(wo)man looking for a truly immersive wilderness experience on horseback, or you’ve never camped before, with or without horses, camping is an exciting and unique way to experience horses and the outdoors at many different levels.
Horse Pack Trip
A true backcountry wilderness experience, a pack trip involves camping in a remote location with no facilities, bringing with you everything you need. Additional horses, donkeys, mules, or even llamas are used to carry equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, all your food and water, as well as the horses’ food. Horses will spend the night highlined nearby, or in a portable corral. Camp will be set up in each new location, and taken down afterwards with no trace left behind.
Pros: access to deep, remote backcountry, often without any other humans in sight, for a truly rustic experience. Slow going - with pack animals, this will usually be a walking ride.
Cons: there is a lot of equipment involved, and horses should be able to pack, pony, and highline overnight. No facilities!
Horse Trekking
Similar to a pack trip, riders on a trek will spend each night in a different place, however, they do not have to bring everything with them, as they will normally be staying in cabins, lodges, or guest houses along the way. This is an especially great way to travel and ride abroad, while getting to explore new landscapes.
Pros: less equipment to worry about, option for a faster ride, experience different accommodations along the way
Cons: more expensive, since there are more logistics involved. Much harder to bring your own horse.
Equestrian Campground
Campgrounds offer facilities for horses, such as pens or corrals, and in many cases (not always) there will also be access to public restrooms, water, and trash disposal. You can camp in a tent, in your trailer, or rent a cabin in the campground if available, and still have your horses nearby.
Pros: no need to bring your own overnight setup for your horse, ride out of the same location each day on different trails. Having access to restrooms is always a plus.
Cons: less remote, you may share the campground with other campers (with or without horses) which can feel noisy and crowded
Dispersed Camping
Camping on National Forest land, but not in an official campgrounds. Whether you are camping in a tent or in a trailer, there will be no facilities available and you will be expected to bring your own setup, and pack in/pack out all of your own supplies, sometimes bringing your own water.
Pros: can be as remote or not as you would like, away from other campers, with the flexibility to move camp often or stay in one place.
Cons: no facilities, you have to bring all your own equipment
Camping Accommodation Types
For folks who do a lot of backpacking, sleeping in a well-equipped trailer can feel luxurious. For those who have never camped, sleeping on the ground in a tent can be uncomfortable, even scary. Camping shouldn’t mean you don’t get a good night’s sleep - you’ll need it, after a day of riding, so make sure you find an accommodation option that’s right for you.
Tent Camping
Tent camping is pretty basic, but can be comfortable if you make it so. Remember, the idea is to spend time outdoors with your horse, so your tent is really just a bed. This is a great option for flexibility and affordability, but check the weather before you go.
Trailer Camping
A living quarters trailer is perhaps the easiest and most convenient way to travel and camp with horses, and can be self-contained or rely on hook-ups. Regular trailers can also be used for sleeping, or you can bring both camper and trailer.
Cabins
Some campgrounds, resorts, or wilderness areas have cabins to rent, which can still be very basic and rustic, or can be fully equipped and quite luxurious. For those who prefer not to sleep on the ground and pee in the woods, this is a great option.
Horses
Bring your Horse
Who doesn’t want to bring their beloved horse on vacation? Camping with your horse is a great way for both of you to experience something new, and go on an adventure!
Lease a Horse
If your horse has never been camping before or if you’re unsure, leasing a horse for the trip is a great way to experience camping without having to worry about your own horse.
Horse Accommodation Options
If you do decide to bring your own horses camping, where to put them overnight is an important consideration. For less experienced horses, staying in a pen overnight is a more secure option, whether you stay in a campground with an available corral or bring your own. If you are going into the backcountry, portable pens are still a great option, and you can also highline or hobble your horses. These are skills you should practice at home until your horse is comfortable and reliable before going into the wilderness - you don’t want your horse running off in the middle of the night!
Stalls or Corrals
Equestrian campgrounds often offer permanent, uncovered pens or corrals for horses, so you don’t need to worry about bringing a setup.. Sometimes availability is limited, though, so check before you go.
Highline
Horses are tied to a line between two high points, or two trees. They have some flexibility to move around, but are tied overnight. Practice at home before heading into the backcountry with your horse!
Portable Pens
For horses who don’t know how to highline or hobble, having an overnight enclosure is best, either solid fence panels (if camping in place) or a portable electric fence that runs on solar or battery.
After considering what type of trip is most suitable for you and your horse, which type of accommodation you would prefer, and what trip options are available, you are ready to go camping with your horse!
Have a question? We’re here to help, whether you’re looking for resources and information or looking for more information about our trips.