Camping options with horse facilities are limited near Highland, Utah. Willow Park Campground in Lehi offers camping along the Jordan River Parkway with access to non-motorized watercraft, but lacks dedicated horse facilities. Reservations are recommended at this park with spacious sites that include fire pits, picnic tables, and barbecue grills. The clean, well-maintained bathrooms receive consistent praise from visitors, though the campground has minimal shade and goat head thorns can damage tent floors without proper protection. Camping fees are approximately $25 per night with no hookups available.
Trails in the Highland area can accommodate equestrians but require transporting horses to trailheads as no camping facilities with horse corrals exist directly in Highland. The nearby Uinta National Forest offers more remote options for horse camping, including dispersed camping areas in less developed sections. Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry provides free dispersed camping with adequate space for horse trailers, though without designated corrals or equine facilities. When planning horse camping trips in this region, riders should prepare for varying terrain conditions and bring sufficient water supplies as drinking water is not available at many locations. Proper manure management remains the responsibility of horse owners at all camping areas.
$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."
"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."
$25 - $175 / night
"This campground was nestled in the middle of Lehi Utah and it was a great place for us to swing in for one night."
"We were able to get a spot next to the Jordan River under a beautiful tree. We brought our 16ft camper and didn’t need to back it in or anything."
$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."
"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!"
"Our site was right by the entrance and near a stream bed that was dry. It was incredibly quiet, silent even, at night. Gorgeous but a little chilly."
"We didn't spend much time during the day as we were visiting relatives near Provo and enjoyed the cooler getaway in the evening."
"I spent one day exploring salt lake, which is about an hours drive from the campsite."
"These campground spots are hidden within trees up the dirt road just past Silver Lake flats on the dirt road. The dirt road gets rough and rocky, but is driveable."
$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."
GuideBlackhawk is great if you can’t find reservations elsewhere. we booked equestrian sites up at the top - highest elevation. Good views, pavilions, fire pits and pit toilets. Don’t have to have horses to book equestrian and they seem to be more available since I don’t think people k ow this.
GuideFREE! No amenities! Must carry in all water. Shooting Range nearby. Great for ATVs and off road vehicles. Hiking is easy to moderate in abilty. Fire ring established in most common camp areas. Animals allowed. Close to Utah Lake.
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.
GuideIt's not great. Next to a shooting range and orv trails, so you'll hear that. Shrubs and a few small trees dominate the landscape, so there isn't much privacy. Roads were bumpy, but manageable. Access depends on where you go, Several paths to take w other sites. Lots of trash. Rock fire pits. Amazing views of the mountains behind Provo and Utah Lake. Full cell service w At&t. Free!
GuidePretty spot that smells like juniper and has a nice creek.
Minus a star for no running water and proximity to a busier road. I was the only camper on a chilly Wednesday night but had a surprising amount of traffic which woke me up a few times (my site was about 40 feet from the road).
Sites are nicely spaced, especially the equestrian sites at the top of the campground.
Full bars on Verizon. Small pit toilets. Clean and well kept overall.
ScoutI would reserve a spot ahead of time, avoiding any site in loop 'E'. That loop is for those planning to camp with horses. There are hitching posts at every site, therefore, lots of horse poo. And not the best place to take a dog because of all the horses in the area.
The camp host at loop 'E' and 'D' is very nice, and is willing to split up group areas to individuals who have no where else to set up camp. If you do this, expect to get to know new people as you will share a fire pit and eating area.
The fee to camp for one night is $20, but that includes access to any of the Payson lakes, which is $8 for day use.
We didn't go on any hikes during our stay, as we bummed at the beautiful lakes (only the middle of the three lakes is dog friendly) all day. However, there is plenty of hiking in the area.
Very hot. Around 90 degrees. Wake up and get breakfast early. Then enjoy the water in the heat!
P.S. 3 stars due to the fact that I had to camp in horse crap.
ScoutBeing that we already live in southern Utah county, this place has become a go to for our family. Only about 45 mins away from Payson Ut.
Great fishery for children and youth, as well as an amazing area for swimming and kayaking. They do not allow motorized boats, so it is safe. Also the lake isn't too big so if your teen blows across the lake on his kayak or raft he can easily walk it back around the lake.
We definitely recommend it.
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.
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.
Camping areas near Highland, Utah range in elevation from 5,000 to 7,400 feet, offering diverse terrain from alpine forests to desert landscapes. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during the day while dropping to 50-60°F at night. Most campgrounds in the region open from May through October with peak season occurring from June through August.
Trail access at Granite Flat: Located in American Fork Canyon, this campground sits at 6,400 feet elevation and provides access to multiple fishing lakes and hiking trails. "It's clean. Has access to many fishing lakes and hiking trails!" notes Whitney J. The area offers opportunities for paddle boarding at nearby reservoirs. "We were able to paddle board which was a blast! I loves being so close and having access to so many beautiful hikes and Rock climbing," shares Kaitlin R.
Water activities on Jordan River: Willow Park Campground offers riverside camping with access to non-motorized watercraft. "We were able to get a spot next to the Jordan River under a beautiful tree. We brought our 16ft camper and didn't need to back it in or anything," reports alex L. The park provides boat launch facilities for kayaking and canoeing on the river.
Mountain biking trails: Numerous trails around Highland accommodate mountain bikers of all skill levels. The area features routes with varying technical difficulty and elevation gains. Many trails interconnect, allowing riders to create custom loops based on their experience level and time constraints.
Convenient location: Nunns Park offers camping minutes from Provo, making it ideal for quick getaways. "Nunns is a great place to go if you don't have time to go look for a spot. It's a quick drive up Provo canyon," explains Jonathan Y. Many visitors appreciate the accessibility of camping options so close to urban areas.
Natural sounds: Many campers mention the calming soundscape at local sites. "The river is right there and makes some beautiful yet subtle white noise. It is in provo canyon and the cliffs on either side are very impressive," says Helen A. about Nunns Park. This natural feature enhances the camping experience despite proximity to populated areas.
Alpine environments: Mount Timpanogos Campground provides high-elevation camping with cooler temperatures. "We didn't spend much time during the day as we were visiting relatives near Provo and enjoyed the cooler getaway in the evening," shares Daniel L. The campground offers relief from summer heat while remaining accessible.
Seasonal availability: Most Highland-area campgrounds operate seasonally. "High up American Fork Canyon tucked in the forest. The elevation is about 6400 ft- so no spring camping. Book EARLY! This campsite is always full," advises Andrea P. about Granite Flat. Sites typically open late May and close by early October.
Site selection for equestrians: While limited horse campgrounds exist near Highland, Utah, Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry provides dispersed camping with space for horse trailers. "FREE! No amenities! Must carry in all water... Great for ATVs and off road vehicles. Hiking is easy to moderate in ability. Fire ring established in most common camp areas," notes Michelle B. The area lacks designated equine facilities but offers adequate parking for trailers.
Weather variability: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. At higher elevations, even summer nights can be quite cold. Afternoon thunderstorms occur frequently in summer months, particularly July and August. Prepare for changing conditions regardless of season.
Large group sites: Silver Lake Backcountry offers spacious areas for family camping. "Wide spacious camp sites. ATV paradise, fire pits established in most camp sites, only accessible by 4 wheel drive," describes Michelle B. The area provides room for multiple tents and vehicles, making it suitable for extended family gatherings.
Nature activities: Areas near Highland feature numerous kid-friendly exploration opportunities. Some sites include streams for wading, open areas for games, and wildlife viewing possibilities. "We spent our afternoons paddleboarding on Silver Lake Reservoir," adds Michelle B. about activities at Silver Lake.
Ground conditions: Be aware of potential issues affecting tent camping comfort. Dusty or rocky soil can present challenges. "The campsites are beautiful, and within walking distance to the trailhead to hike the 2.2 mile hike up to Silver Lake. Loved camping here, only complaint is the dirt is very chalky and dusty, and keeping your gear clean is not really an option here," warns Emily T. about Kimball Campground.
Site size limitations: Most campgrounds close to Highland accommodate smaller RVs better than large ones. "Sites are small and primarily tent sites. There are a couple sites which would accommodate a small 16 ft trailer. We had to unhook and park diagonal to fit small trailer and short truck," explains Daniel L. about Mount Timpanogos Campground.
Leveling considerations: Terrain at many sites requires leveling equipment. "The one downside was that the tent spot was not flat, and had quite a few large rocks," notes Justin J. about Granite Flat. This applies to RVs as well, so bring leveling blocks.
Limited hookups: Full hookups are scarce near Highland. Many campgrounds offer partial or no hookups. For those requiring full hookups, options increase when willing to travel 25-30 miles from Highland. Research available amenities before arrival as most sites have limited or no water hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Highland, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Highland, UT is Granite Flat (utah) with a 4.3-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Highland, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 equestrian camping locations near Highland, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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