2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Dispersed camping near Castle Valley offers limited options for horse owners. Based on available campground data, none of the identified sites provide dedicated horse corrals or equestrian-specific facilities. Sovereign Lands dispersed camping outside Moab allows free camping with pets permitted, though no specific horse amenities exist. Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites similarly permit free camping with pets but lack dedicated equestrian infrastructure. Salt Valley Dispersed Camping provides free options where fires and pets are allowed, potentially accommodating horses with proper containment methods brought by campers.
For equestrians seeking more developed facilities, established campgrounds like Ken's Lake may accommodate horses though dedicated equestrian amenities aren't specified. The campground features large sites with accessible hiking trails. Lone Mesa Group Campground permits pets and offers reservable group sites that could potentially support multiple riders camping together. Trail access varies among these locations, with many providing connections to the extensive trail networks surrounding Moab and Castle Valley. Horse owners must bring their own containment systems and manage waste appropriately when using these areas.
"This campground is surrounded by tall majestic rocks high in the Utah desert. Well located to visit several National parks. Toilets and water scattered around this large site."
"Depending on how far you want to walk, there is access to several of the park's arches right from the campsite. Beware of Ravens!"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $250 / night
"Close to arches, canyonlands and dead horse. Nice for a free campground to have portapotties spread out along the road. People tended to share camp spots when I was there."
"Tons of access to mountain bike trails in the area as well. Fire bans were in place at the time through summer to Nov 1st."
"I chose this site for proximity to the parks, as well as the lovely geological backdrop."
"Location is key with this site. You are 10 minutes from Arches National Park. You are also close to the state highway, train tracks, and powerlines. I didn’t mind the train."
"Great spot for unstructured camping (no sites, just a large dirt parking lot) surrounded by sagebrushy land. We landed a spot right across from Courthouse Rock (see photo)."
"Horse corrals are offered here and space for horse trailer parking. About 1 mile from hwy 191 on gravel road. Great cell signal."
Available next weekend
from $20 / night
"You can't beat the scenery in Utah!"
"Very quiet and nice scenery (Utah mountains) Great place for a hike and or swim in the lake! Moab is just 20 minutes drive away 👌🏻"
Available next weekend
from $125 / night
"I highly recommend hiking to Clark Lake as well to get some stunning Mountain View’s! Clean bathrooms, good signage, and a manageable road. Tons of stunning wildflowers and aspens!"
"Great spot in the desert close to Arches, Canyonlands and Moab to camp. We very much enjoyed our time here...we were able to find level spot. Had one bar of cell phone reception."
"A little bit off the beaten path from city center in Moab but worth the drive."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $150 - $175 / night
"Lots of nice remote site options and trail leads you right into Arches NP (dont forget parks pass unless government is still shut down) with some fun off roading trails for capable vehicles but did see"
"I drove through Arches National Park on Salt Valley Road, until it exited the park onto BLM Land. Took an immediate right and followed the fence of the park."
from $100 - $125 / night
TravelerWe loved camping here. The rock formations are stunning. Some of the sites are relatively private, while others are more exposed. Flushing toilets, running water. Very kind camp host. We rolled in during a thunderstorm which was epic. Will definitely be back (if we can snag a spot again, they fill up quickly!)
GuideAn amazing place with great views from almost every spot. Quite each night. It is at the very end of the Arches drive which in some ways is great. The sites have pretty level concrete pads (they run a little down hill but not a big deal). Great separation for other sites
TravelerWow I’m in a small motorhome. It is lifted and all wheel drive. You kind of need it here. If you want to get away from it all. This is your place
GuideLarge gravel lot with huge back in sites. No shade, primitive shelter over pit toilet. The dinosaur fossil trail is a beautiful scenic mile walk down the road and it’s really neat. Dino tracks are stones throw from actual campground. Not a lot of privacy but it’s near all the attractions around here. $20 a night, $10 with our access pass.
GuideWe visited the campground to check the access road before bringing in our 25' Airstream. The campground itself looked beautiful, but the sandy wash section of the road was too deep for us to safely tow our trailer, likely due to recent heavy rains. We decided not to risk getting stuck or causing damage. If the sandy section could be graded or flattened after storms, it would improve accessibility for travel trailers and RVs. We'd love to return in the future.
ScoutWe were not able to get back to campsites. Drove down the very rutted road 10 minutes to find a wet and muddy place that covered entire road. Not willing to risk it with our campervan. There were a few cool campsites next to rock formations (as pictured on this listing) but they now have no camping signs posted
ScoutThese sites are now part of Utahraptor state park. As we don't have 4WD we thought to do a primitive campsite within the park. It is $30! Ridiculous.
LegendLoved being here. Beautiful morning, however scorching evening. Many of the sites here are very spread out and very large. Made for ORV folks and there are horse corrals. Lots of parking area in each site.. Each site is very large and gravel. Over 20 sites are spread out over a couple miles. We had site number 18. The next two sites are over a little bit more rugged road than the road coming up to our site. Is nicely gravel and smooth. Beyond it is dirt road to the last two sites, which are set off by themselves,. No one else was in the campground during our one night stop.
Spring and fall would be gorgeous and better weather times. However, I would expect lots ORV activity that time of year.
RangerThis lake is nice along with the stream that runs into which has hikes up it to the waterfalls. Not much trees for shade at this campground but other than that we’ve really enjoyed it here.
Dispersed camping for horseback riders near Castle Valley requires planning for proper containment systems. Temperatures in this high desert area can range from 90°F during summer days to below freezing in winter nights. The red rock terrain surrounding Castle Valley sits at approximately 4,500 feet elevation, with variable conditions throughout the year.
Trail riding access: Several campgrounds provide proximity to riding trails. At Devils Garden Campground, "hiking paths to several arches are a convenient walk from camp. This made exploring easy," notes Stacie H. The campground is located at the end of Arches National Park, approximately a 30-minute drive from the entrance.
Dinosaur tracks exploration: Near Sego Canyon Campsite, you can discover prehistoric sites. Jiwon K. mentions, "cool petroglyphs, caves, and lots of wildlife to watch." The area features "incredible view of the stars at night" but requires awareness of "flash flooding as this is a narrow canyon."
Swimming opportunities: After a day of riding, cool off at water features. Ken's Lake offers refreshment during hot days, with Peter D. reporting, "Great place for a hike and or swim in the lake! Moab is just 20 minutes drive away." Equestrians often appreciate water access for both riders and horses after dusty trail rides.
Privacy between sites: Many riders value separation from other campers. At Moab Overlook Dispersed Site, Jess G. found "so many spots you could pick and it was super private." This free dispersed camping area provides "incredible views" with enough space for horse trailers.
Shade availability: Limited but valuable at certain sites. Devils Garden Campground offers some relief from the desert sun, with Bryan K. noting his site "was huge with large boulders for some shade early in the day." Shade is particularly important for horse owners during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Accessibility to National Parks: Equestrian campers appreciate proximity to protected lands. Cotter Mine Road Dispersed Sites provides "location is key with this site. You are 10 minutes from Arches National Park," according to Tom G. While noting nearby infrastructure like "train tracks and powerlines," he found the site workable for overnight stays.
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between sites. Salt Valley Dispersed Camping has challenging terrain where one camper "broke a leaf spring and limped to the large, flat Mesa up top; waited for repair guy." Another notes "there are some great spots that can be reached by most trailers/vans/cars," making this an option for equestrians with appropriate vehicles.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance booking. At Devils Garden Campground, Patrick P. suggests, "It may say it's full but always check." Another camper warns it's "by appointment" and "you must sign up for a spot far in advance as they fill up quickly."
Water access limitations: Most dispersed sites lack water sources. Bailey A. reports at Sovereign Lands dispersed camping, "Bring your own firewood, because all that is around the area are juniper trees. Junipers take extremely long to grow, so please don't use the branches to burn." Horse owners should plan to bring all required water for their animals.
Group site options: Lone Mesa Group Campground accommodates larger parties with horses. Preston G. found "the space was huge and spaced out from the other sites. The location is just about in the middle of Arches and Canyonlands." This provides families with multiple riders a central base camp.
Safety considerations: Weather can impact camping conditions rapidly. One reviewer at Lone Mesa noted, "BE MINDFUL OF WIND! These group sites are very exposed and have little to no cover and can be extremely dangerous on a windy day/night."
Educational opportunities: The region offers natural and historical learning experiences. At Sego Canyon, Jenn & Garrett W. suggest to "Plan to spend a couple of days exploring the area, and you will be glad you did! Up above there is an incredible overlook (but you need high clearance to get to it) and there is also a ghost town up the canyon a bit!"
Size limitations: Large horse trailers face restrictions at some sites. Courthouse Rock offers "rustic toilet facilities, trash bin even a paddock for those who brought horses," according to Elizabeth S., though she notes it has a "rugged access road, including a sand wash section that caught a few vehicles in its grips."
Leveling challenges: Many horse camping areas have uneven terrain. At Salt Valley Dispersed Camping, Rory R. simply states "pick your spot and live it up!!" while another camper warns it's "NOT for bigger rigs!" Identifying level spots for larger horse trailers requires scouting ahead.
Cell reception variability: Important for emergency contact. Curtis notes Salt Valley has "Limited AT&T service" while at Sovereign Lands dispersed camping, Yasmeen A. found "Decent T-Mobile reception" with "wide open spaces and amazing star gazing!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Castle Valley, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Castle Valley, UT is Devils Garden Campground — Arches National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 98 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Castle Valley, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Castle Valley, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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