Soapstone Basin Dispersed Camping offers free access to horse-friendly areas within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Located approximately 25 miles from Coalville, the dispersed camping area provides multiple spots suitable for horse trailers along Forest Road 058. While no dedicated horse corrals are available, the spacious sites accommodate portable corrals and highline setups. Toilet facilities are available near the main access points, but campers should bring their own water for horses. The basin's elevation ranges from 7,800 to 8,500 feet, creating cool summer temperatures ideal for equine comfort. Most sites can accommodate horse trailers up to 40 feet, though some areas have limited turning radius. Sites fill quickly during summer weekends, particularly those closest to trailheads and water access points.
Multiple trail connections from Soapstone Basin provide extensive riding opportunities through mountain meadows and aspen groves. The Norway Flats trail system offers a network of moderate trails suitable for day rides ranging from 5 to 15 miles. Water crossings are common along the routes, especially in early summer when snowmelt increases stream flow. Riders frequently encounter wildlife including deer, elk and moose throughout the area. Grazing is prohibited within the camping zones, so portable electric corrals or picket lines are essential for overnight stays. The best riding conditions typically occur from late June through September, after most trails have dried from spring runoff. Many equestrians prefer the eastern section of the basin where wider sites accommodate larger trailers and provide easier access to the main trail system.
$27 - $355 / night
"Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area. Will be sharing parking with 2 other sites. 2 lakes nearby. Fire pit with grill gate. Shaded area."
"Utah is such an amazing place to visit for the outdoors. My family and I come here once a year because we love hiking and being in the outdoors."
$28 - $84 / night
"Allow horses in the horse section of the campground. Lake you can canoe, kayak no motorized crafts allwed. Fishing and swimming in the lake. Nice hiking around the lake."
"Mirror lake is the most popular campground in all of the Uintas so the spots go super fast as soon as registration is opened! If you want solitude this is not the spot for you."
$20 - $200 / night
"One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home."
"By far one of my favorite stops through Utah ❤️ absolutely breathtaking views, along with scenic routes to see wildlife such as the bison."
"You can’t drive to the coordinates, you have to park at the uppermost parking lot for Silver Flat and hike up to a camping spot. Camping anywhere along that road will give you gorgeous views, though!"
"There were a lot of off road vehicles and people fishing. More crowded then we were expecting, but the views were amazing! Not a lot of shade, as in bring your own. Perfect place for dogs to play!"
"The only bad part about this camp site is all the highway noise. It is close to the Provo river and there is lots of shade so that is nice. Great place to have a camp fire and cook some S'mores. "
"Close in to town, very pretty with Provo river next to it. Bike path and highway noise can be distracting."
"No bathrooms, primitive and huge families with atvs and dirt bikes everywhere nearby. They were polite and had reasonable time for no noise."
"This area has many camp sites to choose from, traveling from the highway 150 will absolutely require 4x4 but the other end could manage without."
$27 - $204 / night
"This campground is well maintained and nestled into some nice pine trees in view of the backside of Mount Timpanogos, it is divided into 3 areas, one of which has horse corrals."
"Near hiking trails and reservoirs(no motor sports) Equest sites can be used by people wIthout horses too."
"Nice campsites near a creek. It is a little close to the highway but there wasn’t much traffic. The shingle creek trailhead was close and the hiking is beautiful."
"Over Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I got away for a night and dispersed camp in the Unita National forest near the Mill Creek campground. "
"Our family really likes dispersed camping near Mill hollow reservoir. It’s very peaceful and scenic!"
$30 - $40 / night
"Before we had kids, we would bike and hike along the different trails. There’s a short waterfall hike, but also a long hike that will take you up to Ben Lomond Peak & cut across to Willard Peak."
"Arrived around 2pm on a Friday and stayed at Cutler Flats. Didn't look at the other campgrounds so can't speak to them in particular. Drove up and down the loop and most were available at that time."
LegendThis campground is well maintained and nestled into some nice pine trees in view of the backside of Mount Timpanogos, it is divided into 3 areas, one of which has horse corrals. While there are many campgrounds in Utah that rival it, this one is special because it's such a short drive after work.
TravelerBeautiful higher altitude camping. RV's and tent camping. No electricity or water hookups. No showers and pit toilets. Allow horses in the horse section of the campground. Lake you can canoe, kayak no motorized crafts allwed. Fishing and swimming in the lake. Nice hiking around the lake.
GuideTimooneke is beautiful. High elevation(7400ft) campground up the popular Alpine Loop. Book EARLY- ita very popular. Near hiking trails and reservoirs(no motor sports) Equest sites can be used by people wIthout horses too.
LegendOne of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home. On the west side of the island are extensive muds flats that give you one of the best sunset views in Utah. One of our favorite things to do on the island is hike Frary Peak which is the high point of the island. The top portion of the hike is a rocky scramble, but there are plenty of side trails to beautiful viewpoints during the hike.
As for the best season to visit the island, we are partial to winter due to the absolute lack of bugs and stunning contrast of the bison on fresh snow. Our 2nd favorite season is early spring before the bugs come out in full swarm! I wouldn't recommend visiting in late spring or summer as there are swarms of all kinds of biting bugs and the temps can be unbearable.
ScoutQuite area, lot of room. I stayed on site 58 (tent only). Enough room for 2 medium tents. Next/above stream. Tucked in very back. Long ways to walk from car. Water spout next to car area. Will be sharing parking with 2 other sites. 2 lakes nearby. Fire pit with grill gate. Shaded area. Full sun from 10am-4pm.
LegendThis is one of the first campgrounds one comes across while heading north along Mirror Lake Hwy. Like some of the other campgrounds along the Hwy it is fairly close to the road and therefore traffic noise is an issue. There is a creek that runs between the campground and the road but it was such a slow flow it doesn't really do much to drown out the noise. The only positive to this slow moving stream is that beavers have taken up residence here and have created a pretty little beaver dam and pond! To get away from the noise of the Hwy one can take the nearby Shingle Creek TH to East Shingle Creek Lake or Big Elk Lake for some fishing. As with other campgrounds, water is not available due to the dry winter so bring all that you will need. To stay here you'll need to pay $18 a night for the campground and for the Mirror Lake Rec. Pass for $6 for 3 days and $12 for the week
LegendHands down the best campground for sunset views on all of Antelope Island! The sunsets in the fall, and winter are the best as the bugs have gone down considerably and therefore you won't get eaten alive! Hues of all different kinds of colors reflect off the perfect mirror surface of the Great Salt Lake and give you an endless sunset much like at the Bonneville Salt Flats. I would have given this campground 5 stars if there was any shade whatsoever but there isn't any!
This campground is pretty primitive in that there is no drinking water available and only vault toilets available with picnic tables and a fire ring at each campsite. There are only 20 sites with 2 equestrian sites that go for 40$ a night. The closest drinking water is at Bridger Bay Campground and there is also a grill on the island that is open during the summer.
GuideThis park is a great stopover on your way through Utah or weekend visit. The lake is clean and still very natural. The swans circling the water are something to see. Lots of shade rustic but serviceable showed. A bit pricy at 30 a night but right off the highway and no real traffic noise.
LegendThis is a great place to pitch a tent or come up and stay for the day. The only bad part about this camp site is all the highway noise. It is close to the Provo river and there is lots of shade so that is nice. Great place to have a camp fire and cook some S'mores. The bike path is close so bring your long board or bike and go for a ride. This is withing walking distance from Bridal Vail Falls so that is a great day hike and see the falls. Also great fly fishing in the Provo river so do yourself a favor and bring your fishing gear.
Soapstone Basin dispersed camping provides extensive horse-friendly camping areas 25 miles from Coalville. Trail access varies by season with many areas open from May through October, though heavy snowfall can delay access. The basin's elevation ranges between 7,800-9,200 feet with temperatures dropping significantly at night even during summer months.
Explore surrounding lakes: Multiple fishing lakes connect to the camping areas via hiking trails. Granite Flat campers appreciate the water access, with Whitney J. noting it "has access to many fishing lakes and hiking trails!"
Mountain biking on marked trails: Ride designated trails at varying elevations throughout the basin. At North Fork County Park, Rich J. reports: "Excellent mountain bike trails also. Can't wait to go back and ride more of them."
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to spot elk, deer, and occasionally moose in meadow areas. While camping at Silver Lake Backcountry, campers have seen wildlife up close: "We even saw a moose about 30 feet from our campsite drinking from the creek."
Elevated campsites with valley views: Many dispersed sites along ridge areas provide panoramic views. Connor P. describes Mill Hollow dispersed camping: "My favorites are up towards the top... the beautiful views and the breathtaking sunsets. And of course the stars."
Cooler summer temperatures: Higher elevation offers relief from valley heat. According to Taylor S., "Headed up this way to escape the valley heat. Temps are significantly cooler." This makes summer camping more comfortable than lower elevation sites.
Privacy between campsites: Unlike some established campgrounds, many areas offer natural separation. At Bridger Bay Campground, Steven M. observed: "We went in Oct. 2020 so it was not very busy and it felt like the closest neighbors were pretty distant."
Road conditions vary seasonally: Forest roads can become challenging after rain or early in the season. Eddie P. cautions about Soapstone Basin Dispersed Camping: "traveling from the highway 150 will absolutely require 4x4 but the other end could manage without."
Prepare for insects in early summer: Biting gnats and mosquitoes are common in June and July. One camper warns: "honeslty, it's hard to walk or bike because the bugs are so bad. I don't just mean the odd bite, I mean coated in biting gnats as soon as you go outside your vehicle."
Limited cell service: Coverage is spotty across most of the basin. Some campers bring satellite communications if staying extended periods. One visitor notes: "I bought a Starlink mini just so I can stay longer and work from there."
Short hikes for beginners: Several 1-2 mile trails suitable for younger hikers start near camping areas. In Mirror Lake area, Kai H. recommends: "I love the trail that goes all the way along the lake it provides a way to see the whole lake and the surrounding nature."
Pack extra layers year-round: Even summer nights drop below 45°F regularly. Sarah E. advises: "With the high elevation make sure to bring plenty of layers. Nonetheless there are some great hammock trees."
Plan for afternoon thunderstorms: Summer weather patterns often bring afternoon storms between 2-5 PM. Having shelter options and rain gear accessible is recommended. Most storms pass quickly but can bring heavy rain and occasional hail.
Length restrictions on forest roads: Most dispersed sites can accommodate trailers up to 25 feet, but turning around becomes difficult for larger units. According to Clayton M.: "The main road in is fairly easy to navigate but if you venture off the main path you'll want a vehicle with clearance and possibly 4X4."
Bring all supplies: No water hookups or dumping facilities exist within the basin. One camper advises: "No amenities so bring everything you need." Nearest supplies are available in Kamas, approximately 15 miles away.
Scout sites before committing: Road conditions and site availability change throughout the season. Jake T. explains: "We went on a Friday afternoon and there were a lot of large groups (multiple campers, trucks, ATVs) but we were able to find a spot a little ways down the road."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Coalville, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Coalville, UT is Granite Flat (utah) with a 4.3-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Coalville, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 equestrian camping locations near Coalville, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
