Willow Park Campground in Lehi sits centrally between Salt Lake City and Provo at an elevation of 4,564 feet. Campers can access the Jordan River Parkway trail system directly from the grounds, with the open layout and level terrain accommodating horse trailers of various sizes. Summer temperatures range from 60-90°F with minimal rainfall, making it a reliable destination for equestrian camping throughout the camping season.
What to do
Explore mountain trails near Timpanogos: Head to Granite Flat where you'll find access to multiple fishing lakes and hiking trails. "It's clean. Has access to many fishing lakes and hiking trails!" notes Whitney J., while another camper mentions it's "high up American Fork Canyon tucked in the forest" with an elevation of about 6400 feet.
Paddle on Silver Lake: Visit Silver Lake Backcountry for water activities 40-50 minutes from Lehi. "An amazing spot to drive to and spend the day or backpack in and spend a night or two. Be warned you will need a 4wd vehicle if trying to go up the road after a rain storm," advises Alan B. The area offers "place to paddle board, kayak, etc." according to Bentz E.
Visit nearby attractions: Nunns Park provides easy access to Bridal Veil Falls. "The walk from the campsite to bridal falls is also lovely!" shares Helen A. The location offers convenience to popular destinations with "easy access to one of the best hikes. Mt Timpanogous provides some stellar views of the backcountry and the valley below."
What campers like
Proximity to urban amenities: Willow Park Campground offers convenience to city resources while maintaining outdoor appeal. As Jeremy H. notes, it's "an inexpensive stay in town near great places like Silicon Slopes, Thanksgiving Point, Utah Lake, Traverse Mountain and centered between Salt Lake and Provo." Another camper called it a "great place to camp within the city of Lehi."
Wildlife viewing: Antelope Island State Park features free-roaming bison visible from campsites. "The bison are free grazing all around and a few came right up to our campground in the early morning!" reports Steven M. Another camper noted the "stunning sunrise—perfect views of Mt. Timp" visible from Willow Park.
Night sky experience: The mountain campgrounds offer excellent stargazing due to elevation and distance from urban light pollution. A camper at Mount Timpanogos Campground noted: "It was incredibly quiet, silent even, at night. Gorgeous but a little chilly." The elevation provides clear night skies where you can "see all the stars at night."
What you should know
Reservations essential for popular sites: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For Granite Flat, Ash S. warns: "Be aware that this campsite reservations for the weekend fill up quick. I checked in late May and every weekend until September was already booked." Andrea P. adds it's a "very pretty - and popular campground" and recommends you "Book EARLY! This campsite is always full."
Weather and elevation considerations: Mountain campgrounds have shorter seasons due to elevation. At Timpooneke, Andrea P. notes it's a "high elevation(7400ft) campground up the popular Alpine Loop" with a season running June to September. Temperatures drop significantly at night even in summer.
Trail access and conditions: Many horse-friendly campgrounds connect to trail systems with varying difficulty levels. Brad B. mentions Granite Flat is "really close to some really good hikes like Stewart Falls, and tibble fork reservoir just minutes for your camp site." Another camper noted that "the area and scenery were gorgeous" but warned about seasonal mosquitoes.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Nunns Park provides recreational facilities for children. "There are a couple spots that were semi private but most were very exposed. Lots of area on some of them though for multiple tents," notes Helen A. This makes it suitable for families needing space for multiple tents and activities.
Bug protection: Bring appropriate repellent as insects vary by season and location. At Granite Flat, a camper warned: "The only downside was that this year there were an obscene amount of mosquitoes." Similar reports come from other water-adjacent sites, particularly during early summer.
Noise considerations: Select sites based on desired quiet level. Nunns Park campers noted that "it is close to a bike/running path so if you want to sleep in it might not happen," while Mount Timpanogos Campground was described as "incredibly quiet, silent even, at night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: For horse camping with RVs, evaluate access carefully. Brad B. describes Willow Park as having "big camp sites for trailers or tents and nice bathrooms" with "lots of space to spread out." Myrna G. noted the "nice big level spot with fire pit and separate upright grill" but mentioned "no amenities such as electric sewer or water."
Hookup availability: Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds have limited or no hookups. Matt R. notes that at Willow Park "the camp spots are all weeds and stick into everything. The spots are close together and if you have noisy neighbors you won't get much sleep." However, "the bathrooms are well maintained."
