Indian Creek Equestrian Campground
Location2499 Pine Creek Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135
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Website |
PDF Map
There are no great official PDF maps of this area. This is pretty unfortunate unless you get a forest service map of the area from Avenza. I used the paid version of All Trails but you need to remember to download the map before your trip. I did not have cell service at the campground.
Trail Map
This is a pretty good map on the internet. It lacks trail names or mileage. The purple trail in the north goes to Waterton Canyon. The black trail heading west is the Segment #1 of the Colorado Trail. The most southern black loop is the #800 Indian Creek Trail and Steven's Gulch Trail cuts across the loop from south to north. The blue trail on the east is the #800 trail that meets up with Round Up to loop west to join the trail to Waterton Canyon.
Park Fees
$7.00 per day per vehicle (self-serve drop box with slot and envelopes)
Two separate Campground Areas, one for equestrians and one for others
Equestrian Campground has 7 sites that can be reserved online:
www.recreation.gov or via phone at 1-877-444-6777
Two separate Campground Areas, one for equestrians and one for others
Equestrian Campground has 7 sites that can be reserved online:
www.recreation.gov or via phone at 1-877-444-6777
Trailer Parking
The parking for day use is along Forest Road 513 A on the right side of the road. The trailers just lined up. To exit you would need to drive down to the loop to turn around. The ranger kept the gate closed during the day with a fake lock on the gate. We just pushed the gate open when we needed to leave.
Day use horse trailer parking is either in main lot or on the side of the road to the equestrian campground. Push gate open and close it behind you.
BathroomsPermanent restrooms, vault toilets.
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WaterWater spigots close to each campsite. I have camped here when there was a problem with the water spigots so I always bring my own horse and human water.
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Human and Horse Acomodations
The equestrian campground loop is really great for group camping trips. There are 2 corrals for each site. The corrals for site 5 and 7 on the right are together in a four corral cluster. Going as a big group it didn't matter to us exactly which sites we had because all of the corrals were really close together and easy to access. Sites 4, 5, 6, and 7 are better for bigger trailers. Site 4 and 2 are under trees. Parking 2 trucks and trailers at site 2 was difficult. At site 2 sleeping in the truck bed I was on an incline all night and kept sliding down my foam mattress.
Campsite #5 and 2 horse corrals associated with site #6.
Corrals for site #5 in a 4-corral cluster with the two corrals of site #7.
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To the right are the corrals for campsite #7, left campsite #5.
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Horse corral for site #4, under the trees and a bit away from picnic table.
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Site #4 picnic table and hitching rail.
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Site #3.
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Looking at site #2 from site #3.
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Campsite #2. The horse corrals are under the trees and it is a shadier site on hot days.
Campsite #1 which was down the road and more isolated by itself and far from the restroom.
Mounting
There are plenty of curbs and picnic tables to stand on to mount.
Footing
Moderately rocky. Most of the trail is soft and doable without shoes but it does get rocky in places. The service road is gravel and would be better with shoes. Sam had shoes with front pads and still tripped periodically but that is mostly because he was busy scouting out his next bite of grass and was not looking at the trail.
Horse Hazards
Moderately rocky footing and bikers are the main hazards. The trails here are pretty moderate and there are really no scary objects other than trees and logs.
Trail Options
Stevens Gulch Lower Trail ,
Stevens Gulch Total Loop
#800 to Bear Creek,
#800 to Service Road
Chosen Trail - #800 to Service Road
We rode up the main campsite road, Forest Road 513A to the main parking lot. To the left of the gate before you enter the main parking lot is a sign for the #800 Indian Creek Trail. We rode uphill on the Indian Creek Trail through some lovely switchbacks that gradually climbed. We continued straight on the #800 trail at the first fork and rode to the 2nd fork of the Indian Creek Trail and Stevens Gulch Trail. At this fork we turned around and rode back to the first fork. We traveled downhill on the wider service road that took us back through the upper campground. We rode a total of 4.5 miles in 1.5 hrs as a large group with QHs and 45 minutes when I rode with a gaited, fast walking horse. This is a good ride for campers who want to have potlucks and drink beer and then take a short, scenic ride on their horse.
Trail Experience
We started out on Forest Road 513 A and headed toward the main parking lot.
To the left of the gate for the main parking lot there is a sign for Trail #800 the Indian Creek Trail. It starts going uphill through the forest.
It is a gradual climb through the woods. It is a narrow single-track that is moderately rocky in places.
Great view as we neared the top.
The trail was narrow and surrounded by bushes.
We went around switchbacks and gradual up and downhills.
You may be able to trot parts of this trail. Watch for low-hanging branches.
Arriving at the top we reached the fork for the Ringtail Trail on the right and the #800 Indian Creek trail which kept going straight along the service road. To our far right the wide service road goes back to the upper campground.
We continued straight along the Indian Creek Trail #800.
This was a really nice, wide, moderately rocky trail that was fun to trot or canter.
The next fork shows the Stevens Gulch Trail going downhill to the left and the Indian Creek trail continuing on the right as the wider road. The trail forks were marked.
At this point we turned around and retraced our steps to the first fork. This path was full of butterflies and was fun to trot.
We continued straight at the fork of the Indian Creek Trail #800 and the service road.
The service road was wide and easy going gradually downhill. We returned via the upper campground and walked down the main road to the parking lot.
We took a right at the main parking lot to get back to the equestrian campground.
Rating
Moderately easy! This is a really beautiful ride that is easy and good for more beginner riders. It is a single-track and is winds through the forest so it is interesting without being hard. Shoes are recommended but Echo was barefoot and did fine but he is part Mustang with amazing feet.