Horse Thief
White River National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Meeker, CO, CO
Price: From $29 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Horse Thief 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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/horse-thief to be notified when sites open up.
Horse Thief offers a natural setting at Trappers Lake in White River National Forest specifically designed for stock users with corrals and long trailer spurs. Campers praise the exceptional camp host Tim, spectacular views, and friendly atmosphere with a 4.8/5 rating.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Wapiti (elk), and Wandering Garter Snake present in area. Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels and Black-capped Chickadees commonly observed.
Insider tips for Horse Thief: Water spigot located at top by site 2 First-come, first-served basis — book early as noted for federal campgrounds Camp host Tim provides exceptional service and site support
Skip Horse Thief if: You need cell service — NO CELL SIGNAL reported by campers. You require RV hookups — campground has no hookups at most sites. You plan to visit November-April — seasonal operations only May-October.
Best time to visit Horse Thief: May-October — Official operating season per verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: South Fork (White River) (Meeker, CO), Marvine Campground (Meeker, CO), North Fork Campground (MEEKER, CO), Shepherds Rim Campground (MEEKER, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Horse Thief
Cell signal at Horse Thief (Meeker, CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Horse Thief 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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryWater spigot located at top by site 2
First-come, first-served basis
book early as noted for federal campgrounds
Camp host Tim provides exceptional service and site support
Official operating season per verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — White River National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at White River National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Horse Thief cost per night?+
What season is Horse Thief open?+
Does Horse Thief have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Horse Thief?+
How do I make reservations at Horse Thief?+
What is the cell service like at Horse Thief?+
What season is Horse Thief open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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