Are you planning a trip to Hanksville with your horse? We've got you covered. Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. Find our top-rated horse campsites from other campers like you. Plan the perfect trip in minutes.
"A mysterious red pictograph (painted) panel accompanied by petroglyphs (pecked images) lies within Black Dragon Wash in the San Rafael Swell. Within a fenced area visitors may view several elongated human and animal like pictograph images attributed to the ancient Barrier Canyon culture. Stylistically different Fremont petroglyphs are located adjacent to the Barrier Canyon pictographs. In the past someone chalked the outlines of the pictograph images, a practice now know to irreparably damage fragile rock art resources. The person chalking the images combined several figures into what appears as a Dragon-like image. This “dragon” gives the canyon its name. Visitors to the site enjoy a short hike to the panel up through the wash and into the San Rafael reef. Nearby canyons and the wash itself provide additional hiking and photography opportunities. The road to the panel is sandy in spots and requires a high clearance vehicle. Do not travel into the area unless you are familiar with desert travel and are aware of the weather conditions. "
You must have an overnight permit for all overnight trips along the White Rim. Obtain permits here: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675315 Labyrinth has two designated campsites: Labyrinth A This small, very scenic site is composed mostly of packed, gravel dirt. The area is wide open and there is no shade or shelter from the wind. The two Labyrinth sites are approximately 1,000 feet apart and are within sight of each other. During the summer months, sites along the river are very buggy. Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles Toilets: Labyrinth A and B share a toilet; site A is closer than B. River Access: River access is available 0.3 miles north where the White Rim Road borders the bank. Labyrinth B This small, very scenic site is composed mostly of packed, gravel dirt. The area is wide open and there is no shade or shelter from the wind. The two Labyrinth sites are approximately 1,000 feet apart and are within sight of each other. During the summer months, sites along the river are very buggy. Limits: 15 people and 3 vehicles Toilets: Labyrinth A and B share a toilet; site A is closer than B. River Access: River access is available 0.3 miles north where the White Rim Road borders the bank. Come Prepared. The White Rim Road has long rocky stretches, deep sand, and little shade. Bring at least 1 gallon (4 L) of water per person, per day — more if you'll be active. Plan for a minimum of 10-12 hours of driving or cycling. Keep off the Arches. To promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park. Water There is no potable water along the White Rim Road. For mountain bike trips, we highly recommend a four-wheel-drive support vehicle to carry water and equipment. The 100-mile White Rim Road loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. Four-wheel-drive trips usually take two to three days, and mountain bike trips usually take three to four days. Under favorable weather conditions, the White Rim Road is moderately difficult for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim loop a challenging mountain bike ride, and require extreme caution for both vehicles and bikes during periods of inclement weather. During high water conditions on the Green River, sections of road on the west side can flood, making a complete loop impossible. No potable water is available along the White Rim Road. For mountain bike trips, a four-wheel-drive support vehicle to carry water and equipment is highly recommended.
Located just a few hundred yards downstream of the San Rafael campground, this was built by equestrians for equestrians. Six campsites with pullouts to accommodate vehicle and horsetrailer surround a central holding pen with 3 separate stalls.
Ranger
We needed a place for the night after leaving the crazy busy area of Moab and this was the perfect spot. We will absolutely return again but with the ATVs.
There were several people camping and riding their ATVs and SXSs but when the sun went down it was quiet and so dark. The night sky is beautiful.
Pack it in and out but a perfect place for us. It had rained the day we arrived and it was not muddy and no problem getting in and out.
The road getting in has a bit of wash board so just take it slow.
Traveler
Only one site I felt comfortable pulling a 27 foot trailer but it was beautiful and I wished I could have stayed longer. Watch out for rain. The dry wash beds will flood and I’m lucky I left when I did.
GuideLots of spots. Visited after a rain storm and dirt was dirt and not clay like others spots in the area. Trees in area will hide other campers.
TravelerFirst of all, the site is very big. It is quiet and ckean. Very little firewood, if You can- bridge your own.
TravelerLarge flat area with quite a few short trees scattered around. Great jumping off point to visit San Rafael swell.
ScoutLots of flat ground, highway noise wasn’t too loud but also wasn’t too far away from the road.
GuideWe pulled in middle of the night for some quick shuteye. Level ground, mostly quiet with some highway noise.
GuideWe have used this dispersed camp area several times off of I-70 on several occasions. Easy access whither you're traveling east or west bound. If east bound you'll have to cross over the medium which is allowed and enter the area through a BLM gate. 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. I once got a cell call in the canyon that surprised us as there's little cell coverage. In the Black Dragon you'll find a lot of Indian Petroglyphs. It's pretty easy hike to them or a high clearance vehicle. The San Rafael is quite interesting. The rest areas just west of the dispersed camping has a lot info about the area.
ScoutThis is a huge area. Right off the highway has dozens of good sites all levels with good views. Fire ours built in most. There are more if you continue north down the good gravel road which leads into fantastic canyon country. Bonus is good cell service. Only downside is dry and dusty in summer.
Legend
Not a horse person but checked it out. 6 nice large sites with green steel corrals. Vault toilet tables and fire rings for the humans. However NO Water for humans or horses. No dumpsters, no cell signal. Roads are good hard gravel.
LegendFirst off do not pay attention to google directions as it will take you out of the way through a wash. There is quite an easy turn off right off of highway 70 (whether heading east or west, you can turn north off the highway). Once you turnoff of the highway there is a gate that may or may not be closed so once you go through leave it how you found it.
Follow the very manageable dirt road and there will be multiple pull out areas to camp in. The closer to the highway the more busy it is so keep driving. We found a small pull out between the two trails that take you on hike to the Spirit Arches and Petroglyphs and the other up through the wash to the pictographs.
The hike to the pictographs is much more interesting as you enter the narrow canyon. There are several spots that are reachable by RV, but further back you’ll need high clearance and possible 4x4.
There is no camping allowed within the canyon. At the trailhead though there are a few large areas for camping but probably easier with higher clearance. There is no bathroom, trash or water so pack in and pack out even that which you have already digested.;)
No cell service from ATT, Verizon or TMobile, but was able to get a bar or two on Verizon with the cell booster. Oddly we did have cell reception on the hike within the canyon.
RangerAccess to this is a bit tricky as you need to take a gate from the interstate. It isn't your typical interstate exit. On the eastbound lane you've then got to drive under the interstate which there is a underpass there that they put a concrete ramp in the wash to make it possible to drive through. Most passenger cars can make this route. The campground itself is very basic there's no water there's no toilets. But it is less than a mile from the black dragon pictograph panel and that is the big plus for it. Note that driving in from the west is an extremely rough road that requires a four-wheel drive high ground clearance vehicle and some skill.
Guide
NOT for RVs. The road is 4x4 only with very low clearance. Stop and read every sign. You go through BLM land then on to Canyon Lands Property, which if you camp on that land with out a permit is heavy fines. Do not go here without talking to a local ranger / visitor center. It is BEAUTIFUL and the river is right there but the road is rough. We made it in a Subaru Outback but do not recommend. Jeep’s and trucks only. Also, the BLM land is before the sign and cattle gaurd, if you want to camp stay here. Wide open space and the river is just through the trees.
TravelerThe Labyrinth A & B sites are about 100 yards from one another but elevation differences mean that you really don’t see the other unless you want to. Between the sites is a primitive toilet.
The site itself is easy to reach (about 1-1.5 hour drive off the paved road via Mineral Road and WhiteRim Trail. The drive out is gorgeous with a few easy/medium technical areas.
We arrived before sunset and enjoyed dinner by the Green River and an absolute show during sunset as the light and shadows danced around the canyon walls. The night sky is well visible and didn’t disappoint once the clouds cleared.
By far our favorite camping spot to date!!
TravelerWe stayed this weekend (early May 2021) at the Swinging Bridge South Campground and had a great time. The campground includes:
The cost is $15 per night with a limit to 2 vehicles per site and up to 10 people per site, with half-price discounts for National Parks/Interagency Passes. There are neither trash receptacles on-site nor potable water, so plan to pack in/pack out.
This dog-friendly BLM campground made a great home base for adventuring in the Buckhorn Wash and Little Grand Canyon overlook area. There was minimal road noise at night, though you can hear neighboring campers since it's a fairly open campground. On our night it was rather windy so plan to bring strong tie-downs for your ground tent if you plan to use the tent pads.
GuideThe 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.
ScoutWonderful place, so beautiful!
GuideGreat little area with trees near the river. Awesome hammock trees. Swimming holes in the river.
Legend
This is a really nice campground it is primitive with some out houses and picnic tables. You are in the quackies and in the trees. It is higher elevation so make sure you bring your coat. We stay up here quite often during the elk hunt and it is quite busy in the fall but there is shill plenty of room for the kids to bring bikes and 4 wheelers. Dogs and fires are welcome in fire pits. So don't forget to bring the smores. The road getting up to the camp ground is dirt and sometimes can have ruts and is bumpy but has really good access and is well maintained.
Legendwent during spring break, late March. the view is so chill. next to the river, and high up away feom the mosquitoes. waking up to this campground was soooooooooo refreshing! the views oh, and the night sky. yeas! temperature was cold. mid 30’s to high 40’s
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hanksville, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hanksville, UT is Buckhorn Draw Wickiup Site Dispersed Camp with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hanksville, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Hanksville, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
