Horse Thief

Horse Thief

Part of White River National Forest

Overview

The Horsethief Campground, located at Trappers Lake in the White River National Forest, offers a natural setting for stock users adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness.  The campsites are set aside for stock users only with corrals, long spurs for large trailers, and an RV Dump just up the road. The Flat Tops Wilderness area provides miles of riding within this historic wilderness area.  Trappers Lake is in the wilderness so motorized, mechanized, and any kind of wheeled cart is prohibited, this goes for bikes and game carts on the trails as well.

Facilities

Horsethief Lake Campground (Elevation 9,700ft) has 7 single first-come first-serve sites with corrals that accommodate campers with livestock only. There are long spurs to accommodate large trailers (max length 60ft). The campground is equipped with picnic tables, fire grates, vault toilets, trash disposal, bear boxes and potable water. An RV dump station within TL Campground complex. Electrical hook-ups are not available. 

Natural Features

The Horse Thief Campground at Trappers Lake is located within the Flat Tops Wilderness, offering a natural environment with a lake, surrounding mountains, and access to trails and wilderness areas. 

Recreation

Standard Nonelectric

Equestrian Nonelectric

Overnight

Nearby Attractions

Fishing Access: Trappers Lake, Little Trappers Lake, Wall Lake, Fraser Creek

Trail Access: Little Trappers Trail #1814, Carhart Trail #1815, Trappers Lake Trail #1816, Wall Lake

Trail #1818, Island Lakes Trail #1842, Chinese Wall Trail #1803, Deer Lake Trail #2021, South Derby

Trail #1857, Himes Peak Trail #1877

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.

Important Notices

  • Please Note: One RV with tow per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 exra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.

  • Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails.

  • Reserved Sites: will be held until check out time (ELEVEN) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of the following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests.

  • Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

  • Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. 

  • Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org   

  • Any accepted passes must be entered for the discount at the time of booking for single sites only.

  • Click link for more information about White River National forest : White River National Forest 

  • Pets are welcome but need to be on a leash and accompanied by owner at all times.

  • Campers must occupy the site the first night at a campsite. This prevents booking the site for Fri-Sun and showing up on Saturday.

  • Campers may leave the site for 24 hours and must occupy the site otherwise. This allows a camper to say go for an overnight backpack trip in the woods for one night and come back to their campsite the next day.

Available Activities

  • Fishing - Fishing
  • Hiking - Hiking
  • Horse Camping - Horse Camping
  • Mountain Biking - Mountain Biking
  • Off Road Vehicle Trails - Off Road Vehicle Trails
  • Backpacking - Backpacking
  • Star Gazing - Star Gazing
  • Photography - Photography

Directions

<p>From Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 39 miles to Trappers Lake Road #205. Turn south on Trappers Lake Road #205, and continue for 10 miles turn right at the bridge near Trappers Lake Lodge. Horse Thief Campground is approximately 1 mile further on the right.</p>

Cancellation Policy

<p>Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 970-878-4039

Hwy 8, Meeker, CO 81641

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites