Horse Camp Near Belly of the Dragon Trail occupies Bureau of Land Management land 14 miles from Zion National Park. The terrain features desert shrubs, scattered junipers, and a seasonal creek crossing through red rock formations at 5,600 feet elevation. Temperatures swing dramatically between seasons with summer highs reaching 95°F while winter nights can drop below freezing.
What to do
Explore natural tunnels: Visit Belly of the Dragon Trail adjacent to the camping area. The unique tunnel formation creates a popular photo opportunity and starting point for adventures. "Belly of the dragon is next to a creek and has a lot of private room to camp... We have a 23 foot trailer," notes Diana V. of Twin Hollows Canyon.
Ride horses through public lands: Access multiple riding routes directly from camp without needing trailers. "We were able to take a 2 hour horse back ride around the ranch which is a must! The ranch is huge and you can pick and chose which ever spot you like," shares Nikolina J. who stayed at Zion Wright Family Ranch.
Wade in seasonal streams: Several camping areas offer creek access for cooling off during hot months. "Playing in the creek was great for my eight-year-old... as well as exploring the tunnel. Oh and the tadpoles and snakes in the creek are awesome too!" writes Kristen S. about Twin Hollows Canyon.
What campers like
Scenic views: The elevated position provides sweeping desert vistas. "This off the beaten path campground near Zion National Park is a great place... The views are spectacular in every direction," describes Glen B. from Zion Wright Family Ranch.
Site privacy: Large camping areas ensure separation between groups. "Nice little area, good separation between camp sites," notes Brad L. about Twin Hollows Canyon. Many horse-friendly sites offer enough space to accommodate animals and camping equipment with privacy buffers.
Night skies: The remote location delivers exceptional stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. "The night sky was great and the sunrise/sunset was even greater!" shares Natalie G. about Zion Wright Family Ranch, highlighting the benefit of camping at higher elevations.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. "You need very high clearance to get to this camp site. Very rough road to get to it. Could not get all the way there," warns Christine J. about some areas of Twin Hollows Canyon. Monitor weather as dirt roads can become impassable when wet.
Limited amenities: No drinking water exists at most equestrian sites. "This is BLM land so its free, and no amenities. Pack it in and pack it out," explains Patti M. from Twin Hollows Canyon.
Weather fluctuations: Prepare for rapid temperature changes and potential high winds. "We got caught in high winds one day/night that nearly blew our tent down and covered everything in a thick layer of dust so beware," cautions Nick S. about Zion Wright Family Ranch.
Tips for camping with families
Scout arrival timing: Arrive during daylight for easier navigation and site selection. "I would highly recommend only trying to get into this location during the day. I couldn't see the trail and google had me a few feet from a cliff before I got out and used a flashlight to see where I was," advises Cheri C. about Twin Hollows Canyon.
Plan wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer opportunities to see local animals. "Very nice area with animals coming out towards the evening. We saw several deer just before going to bed," reports Joe M. from Harris Rim & Stout Canyon Dispersed.
Bring shade structures: Many equestrian-friendly sites lack natural shade. "Great dispersed sites if you get about 1/2-1 mi from 89a. The pines offer shade," notes Mark F. about Forest Road 248 Campsite, one of the few sites with substantial tree cover.
Tips from RVers
Measure clearance needs: Know your vehicle limitations before attempting access roads. "We weee here in March and had no issues with finding a spot or issues with noise. Everyone seemed friendly too," reports Andi S. about Twin Hollows Canyon, though others note high-clearance requirements.
Position for wind protection: Park larger vehicles to block prevailing winds. "It was a tad windy the first night, but died down soon enough," shares Joe V. about camping at Zion Wright Family Ranch, where strategic site selection can reduce wind exposure.
Maintain distance from water courses: Position RVs on higher ground away from seasonal wash areas. "A nice little stop over for the night. Going down gravel/dirt road you find a few pull out areas big enough for multiple RVs... Rains may make road questionable and road is close to river," advises Greg K. about Twin Hollows Canyon.
