1 campground with availability next weekend
Swinging Bridge Equestrian Campground provides designated sites specifically designed for visitors with horses near Green River. The facilities include horse-friendly camping spots, toilets, trash disposal, and a sanitary dump. Located near Price, Utah, the campground offers direct access to bridle trails and features multiple areas where riders can park their horse trailers. The campground layout accommodates both tent and RV camping while prioritizing equine needs. Horse owners find ample space to set up temporary corrals or use tie-lines. The roads and camping areas are developed with big rigs in mind, making it accessible for those hauling larger horse trailers.
Courthouse Rock campground connects to an extensive network of bridle and ATV trails, allowing for varied riding experiences through the desert landscape. The campground includes paddocks for those who brought horses, with convenient access to hiking trails featuring dinosaur prints within easy walking distance. Horse trailer parking is available alongside the general camping area. Riders appreciate the relatively level ground throughout the site, making it easier to set up horse containment systems. The campground has a rustic toilet facility and trash collection on site. During summer months, the lack of shade at Courthouse Rock is a consideration for equestrians concerned about their animals' comfort. The open parking lot style camping area provides ample room for horses and equipment without crowding other campers.
"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."
"There is quite an easy turn off right off of highway 70 (whether heading east or west, you can turn north off the highway)."
"It's always closed to keep cows off the freeway so please close it. The area has several places to disperse camp. If you follow the road it will take you to the east entrance of the Black Dragon."
"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
"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."
"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."
"Lots of flat ground, highway noise wasn’t too loud but also wasn’t too far away from the road."
"This spot was much easier to find off I-70 since it’s associated with an exit. No gates to find. It was still 98 degrees at 8pm when I stopped, but no humidity and totally tolerable."
"beautiful area just past a slightly creepy near-ghost town with lost of buildings in shambles. incredible view of the stars at night. be aware of flash flooding as this is a narrow canyon."
"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
"The road getting you into this deep canyon sets the mood for the epic adventure of sleeping down by the river and surrounded by massive rock walls."
"Great little area with trees near the river. Awesome hammock trees. Swimming holes in the river."
GuideThis campground is like no other. Highly recommend! We were able to climb up on the rocks on our campsite and watch the sunset and it was amazing. We stayed one night, but I wish we would have stayed longer.
GuideSecured this spot early in the morning on Sunday once it became first come first serve. I secured site number 17. Not very spread out from your neighbors you’re definitely on top of each other and can have limited privacy. Not too far of a walk from the bathrooms and gorgeous views. The day I camped it rained and was foggy all day so only got to see the views for intermittent periods of time. You get a fire ring and a picnic table and it was 25 bucks for the night. Definitely worth it to be inside the park and have immediate access to all the trails and things to do inside Arches! If I were to camp here again I would try to secure a spot on the backend loop there are some prettier views and a little bit more privacy between the spaces.
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
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.
ScoutBit of a labyrinth to find a spot but worth the effort. People around but still nice amount of privacy
TravelerIncredible ease of access off the interstate. There is some traffic noise, but not too bad.
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
Equestrian camping near Green River, Utah provides access to desert trails through the San Rafael Swell landscape. The area sits at approximately 4,000 feet elevation with temperatures often exceeding 100°F in summer months. Camping options range from designated sites with corrals to open desert areas where riders can set up portable containment systems.
Explore dinosaur tracks: Near Courthouse Rock, visitors can hike to areas with preserved dinosaur prints. "Dinosaur prints within easy walking distance" are accessible from the main camping area according to Elizabeth S.
Horseback riding through canyons: The Swinging Bridge Equestrian Campground serves as a gateway to canyon trails. Matthew H. notes riders can "experience the Canyon by staying IN it, not overlooking it" with a road that "sets the mood for the epic adventure of sleeping down by the river and surrounded by massive rock walls."
Mountain biking access: Areas near Moab provide trail connections for both equestrians and cyclists. At Lone Mesa Group Campground, Kristi D. mentions the location is "great for stargazing, mountain biking etc." with enough space between campers "for it to be quiet and private."
River proximity: Some equestrian camps offer water access, with Corey K. noting there are "trees near the river. Awesome hammock trees. Swimming holes in the river" at Swinging Bridge.
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies provide exceptional night viewing. Chris P. at Devils Garden Campground highlights the "beautiful night skies and a great place to spend sunrise/sunset," making it ideal for riders looking to enjoy evening downtime.
Spacious camping areas: Horse campers appreciate the ample room for trailers and equipment. Preston G. notes that at Lone Mesa, "the space was huge and spaced out from the other sites" with "clean bathrooms and dumpster access."
Limited shade coverage: Many equestrian camping areas have minimal natural cover. Stacie H. describes Devils Garden as "very quiet and open. There's not a lot of shade and a whole lot of red dirt."
Water requirements: No potable water exists at most sites, requiring planning for both riders and horses. Jess notes that at Swinging Bridge, "There are neither trash receptacles on-site nor potable water, so plan to pack in/pack out."
Variable road conditions: Access to some horse camping areas requires careful driving. At Buckhorn Draw Dispersed Camp, Patricia N. advises "the road getting in has a bit of wash board so just take it slow."
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations before planning campfires. Stacie H. cautions that "there are sometimes firebans during the summer" at Devils Garden.
Wind exposure: The open desert provides little wind protection. Angela G. warns about Lone Mesa Group Sites: "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."
Night temperature drops: Desert temperatures fall significantly after sunset. Maintaining appropriate clothing layers helps manage comfort. Bailey A. from Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab notes "We tent camped here in mid December and it was cold at night, but nothing too terrible if you have the right sleeping bags."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there horse camping facilities available at Green River?
Swinging Bridge Equestrian Campground offers 6 large sites specifically designed for equestrians, featuring green steel corrals for your horses. Each site includes tables and fire rings for human comfort, plus a vault toilet. Note that there's no water available for humans or horses, so you'll need to bring your own. Courthouse Rock also provides horse corrals and ample space for horse trailer parking. The $20 fee ($10 for seniors) gives you access to basic amenities including trash disposal, though water is not available here either.
Where can I find horseback riding trails along the Green River?
The Green River area offers several excellent horseback riding trails. Near Courthouse Rock, you'll find trails with dinosaur prints within an easy hike, perfect for exploring on horseback. The area around Black Dragon Pictograph Panel Dispersed provides scenic riding opportunities with historical features. The San Rafael Swell region near the Green River has numerous trail networks suitable for riders of various experience levels. Many of these trails follow old ranching and mining routes, offering stunning views of the river and surrounding desert landscape.
What is the best time of year for horseback riding at Green River?
The best time for horseback riding around Green River is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate and trails are dry. Summer months can be extremely hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F, making it potentially dangerous for both riders and horses. Winter can bring mud and occasionally snow, limiting access to some trails. The area around Dispersed Camping Outside of Moab - Sovereign Lands and Lone Mesa Group Campground offers year-round riding opportunities, though seasonal restrictions may apply during extreme weather conditions or wildlife breeding seasons.
What permits do I need for horse camping at Green River?
For horse camping in the Green River area, permit requirements vary by location. At Buckhorn Draw Wickiup Site Dispersed Camp, you'll need to follow BLM regulations for equestrian use. In areas like Labyrinth Backcountry Campsites — Canyonlands National Park, backcountry permits are required and must be obtained in advance, with specific rules for stock animals. Most BLM lands require free weed-free feed for horses to prevent invasive species spread. Check with the local BLM office in Green River or the Canyonlands visitor center for current regulations, as rules may change seasonally.
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