9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping offers free horse-friendly camping near Laketown, Utah. The area features multiple dispersed campsites along a well-maintained gravel road that extends from Utah into Idaho. Campsites are situated near Logan River with meadow and mountain views, making them suitable for equestrian camping. The camping area has large, open spaces that can accommodate horses and trailers, with sufficient room between sites for privacy. Several campsites provide direct access to the river where horses can drink and cool off after trail rides. Many spots are big enough for multiple vehicles and horse trailers, with level areas for setting up portable corrals or highlines.
The surrounding terrain offers excellent trail riding opportunities through varied landscapes including forests, meadows, and mountain paths. Riders can explore numerous old logging trails and backcountry routes suitable for different experience levels. The road through Franklin Basin continues for approximately 1.5 hours of driving with numerous camping spots along the way. When camping with horses in this area, visitors should bring their own water for drinking as there are no potable water sources available. The dispersed nature of the camping area means riders must practice leave-no-trace principles, including proper manure management. Due to the popularity of this area during peak summer months, arriving early on weekends is recommended to secure suitable spots for horse camping setups. The trail system connects to larger networks in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, providing multi-day riding opportunities.
"If you want to camp at Bear Lake, this is a good spot. Electricity and water hookups are included at each campsite for those of you with RVs."
from $35 - $305 / night
Check Availability"Amazing location especially because it’s close to bear lake! I heard it’s better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable."
"Absolutely beautiful location off highway 89. A popular place especially for ohv-ers."
"The only thing that was annoying is that they lock the front gate at 10PM so if you are out after that time, you have to park your car on the street and walk to your campsite."
"Got in late around 2100. Plenty of spots available in the back without electric. I did get a spot right next to the lake. Has picnic table, firepit, and charcoal grill available."
from $40 - $400 / night
Check Availability"The campground was in great shape, the drive up to our site was amazingly beautiful, and the campground hosts were very attentive and thoughtful."
"I chose the site near the Paris spring Trailhead. The trail to the spring is about 1/4 mile in and is very beautiful. There were hummingbirds everywhere! And dragon flies too!"
from $17 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This 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."
"This campground is right next to the I-15, and a set of train tracks that seem to see daily use."
from $60 - $150 / night
Check Availability"The location is beautiful, and full of deer. My partner and I are just starting out full time rv life and this was the first spot we stayed at."
"Camp is located near the trailhead to Lake Alice. You need to cross Hobble Creek to get to the campground, which can be very high in early summer. Usually roads are not passable until almost July."
"Kids and dogs had fun playing in the nearby creek (water is very cold), with lots of great hiking opportunities. "
"My family and I were driving through and needed a place to stay for the night. We camped the first night that lot camping was allowed (9/10) so it was quiet and peaceful."
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.
ScoutWe booked this campsite later into the season so we were lucky to get a spot. We have a pop up and although we didn't get a spot with electricity, it ended up being a great stay! The campground is also a day use area for boats so there is beach access which is great. Facilities are nice and well maintained. The only thing that was annoying is that they lock the front gate at 10PM so if you are out after that time, you have to park your car on the street and walk to your campsite. It's a residential area and a lot of the street parking is restricted since it's close to the boat ramp. You'd think they would at least have a code you could use after hours! Seems strange it would close that early when it's so close to Logan, a college town. Our site, number 7 had lots of shade, close to the restrooms but was close to the road and away from the lake.
TravelerThis campground has been a friends and family favorite for many years.
My husband and I recently took our toddler and infant here and had a blast. They found joy in simply throwing pebbles in the creek and making mud. 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. Go when there’s no smoke and you’ll have breathtaking views (I’d say May & June are your best bet).
Back to camping: there’s a tiny-creek front, meadow, shaded and unshaded, and a specific area for if you bring horses. You choose what you want.
You can reserve a spot (we did this and were very grateful since we had to keep leaving and coming back). We had service this last time too in July 2021 for the first time (T-Mobile). Hubby was able to work remotely just fine.
ScoutNice facilities, paved pull-thru and back in spots. I checked in around 8 pm and found no one at the entrance booths but there are provisions to leave a cash payment in an envelope and drop into a slot. The traffic noise from I-15 is quite present. It's very distracting and probably the loudest I've experienced. On the bright side, it is easy to access being right off the exit.
GuideThis park is beautiful. 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. All but one site was taken by night time. Stayed in site 12 which was a great spot. It's next to the bathroom, but didn't notice any smell. Felt pretty private, lots of trees and brush between sites. This spot in particular had a large open space with beautiful views of the mountains. Great spot if you need solar. Sun was on us more than other spots that were tucked into the trees. Lots of beautiful hiking trails where we only passed one other party. Would love to come back.
ScoutI've never seen so many shooting stars before. The sites were plenty big, each had a fire pit and picnic table and were close to legit toilets. It was beautiful. Worth the drive to get a little further off the beaten path.
GuideWe did not have reservations and with two long back to back travel days heading home, we needed an easy place to land close to the interstate. $60 for one night electric and water which we did not need for our teardrop, but all sites were the same price which included park fees.
Very nice staff and host found us a spot with which even had a limited view of the lake. Site was brand new with pull through that would easily accommodate a larger rig. Had a nice pavilion type cover over the picnic table, fire ring, and restrooms and showers were new in the section we were staying in.
As sun went down the mosquitos started to swarm and chased us inside. Haven't experienced that level of bugginess outside of several of the swamps we camped at in the southeast. Middle of the night a skunk visited our campsite and hung around for quite a while. Traffic noise from I-15 was excessive.
Don't let the pictures fool you. Views were ok in most directions but what I did not show was the large commercial storage yard used by the park service which was directly next door to our campsite. Fee's should have been much lower given the location but we did not have reservations and were fortunate to get a site.
If camping in a traditional RV this is an ok option, and it is cheaper than some of the commercial campgrounds nearby. Would stay here again if we needed an easy overnight stopover as the location is terrific.
RangerStayed for Memorial Day weekend in the cottonwood campground. With citronella candles, bug sprays and bug deterrent bracelets, the mosquitoes and other bugs were relentless. That’s the only bad thing I have to say about camping here.
This campground is right next to the I-15, and a set of train tracks that seem to see daily use. We didn’t lose any sleep from noise, though, with our AC running at night, and during the day, the freeway was like white noise.
I loved that the sites were spacious, the grounds were clean and there were some great amenities.
There’s a nature trail through the grounds, a nice playground, and a 5 min walk to the beach.
We got about a dozen channels with our little antenna and our T-Mobile service was 3 bars of 5G.
Recommendations from a Utahn:
Maddox Fine Food (Dinner)
Call’s Drive In (Delicious Burgers)
Smith & Edwards (Attraction / Grocer / Shopping—Must See)
Guidepassed through this campground late May. it's very secluded, located at the end of the road. the drive in from Paris is pretty, but the campground is tucked into a brushy hollow, with dense vegetation. the road through the campground has a lot of deep potholes. the sites are small; some are pull through. i don't think i'd tow a camper longer than 20 ft through there. a person can do some exploring in the area while camped there. there are picnic tables and fire rings. vault toilets. Because of the dense brush, it didn't appeal to me but that's personal preference.
Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping provides free, dispersed camping options within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest at elevations around 8,000 feet. The basin area extends from Utah into Idaho with a network of forest roads accessible to most vehicles during summer months. Winter conditions typically close access from November through May, with spring runoff creating muddy roads through June.
Trail riding beyond Franklin Basin: Franklin Basin connects to extensive trail networks suitable for day rides or multi-day adventures. "I have grown up camping in the Franklin Basin area. It is the perfect location for anyone looking for places to hike or ride. There are many different places to visit throughout the area such as the 'Plane Crash' site, Beaver Creek, old logging trails, and more," notes Auston T. from Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping.
Hiking to waterfalls: North Fork Park offers hiking trails to nearby waterfalls within walking distance of campsites. "There's a hidden waterfall you can hike too, and a river runs through the park. It's a must!" shares Debbie P. about North Fork County Park.
Boating and fishing: Bear Lake State Park provides boat ramps and fishing access, though the water can be chilly. "The beach is right there, the sand is nice, and one can wade out quite far in the water to lounge all day," says Matthew H. from Rendezvous Beach.
Spacious sites for large groups: The dispersed nature of camping in this area allows for larger gatherings. "Great for big groups... Amazing location especially because it's close to bear lake!" reports Maddie F. from Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping.
Scenic drives with camping options: The network of gravel roads through Franklin Basin offers numerous camping opportunities along a scenic route. "You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views. The views are truly amazing," shares johny R.
Privacy between sites: Many camping areas offer good separation between sites. "WE LOVE NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND!!! Have for YEARS and years! [...] each of the sites seem to have plenty of space for any type of camping you do, and are well tended in between seasons and visitors. And even with the ample size of each site, you don't feel like you're in your neighbor's lap," writes Dave D. from North Fork County Park.
Early arrival recommended: Popular spots fill quickly, especially on weekends. "I would be cautious if you aren't car camping to make sure you show up earlier than I did (6pm)," advises Maddie F.
Road conditions vary: While main access roads are generally well-maintained, some side roads require caution. "It's pretty rocky so be careful if you don't trust your car/have low clearance. I got my car stuck in a ditch trying to pull into one of the further spots (10/10 don't recommend)," warns Maddie F.
Watch for cattle: Free-ranging livestock are common in Franklin Basin. "Beware of cows! They will be in several sections of the road but are friendly to cars and move out of the way," notes johny R. from Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping.
Seasonal bugs: Mosquitoes can be prevalent in early summer. "I heard it's better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable," shares Maddie F.
Look for creekside spots: Many sites offer water access for children to play. "The sites can be a little buggy but many have direct river access or beaver pond access," mentions johny R.
Visit Paris Springs for easy hikes: Paris Springs Campground offers family-friendly hiking options. "The trail to the spring is about 1/4 mile in and is very beautiful. There were hummingbirds everywhere! And dragon flies too!" recommends Carrie C. from Paris Springs Campground.
Consider established campgrounds with amenities: For families wanting more facilities, Hyrum State Park offers developed sites with amenities. "This is a great campground, the host is really nice, it's clean, has great bathrooms and a great view of the lake!" shares Rachel G. from Hyrum State Park Campground.
RV length limitations: Many dispersed sites can accommodate trailers, but size restrictions apply. "I wouldn't recommend going too far in with a big trailer," advises Jake S. regarding camping areas beyond the main roads.
Look for level spots: When choosing a horse campground near Laketown, Utah, seek sites with flat areas suitable for larger rigs. "Ended up driving this road up to Idaho to find a bigger spot and some solitude. Took the dirt road for about 30 minutes and got the most perfect spot," shares Kennedy F.
Be prepared for self-contained camping: Most horse-friendly camping options near Laketown lack hookups or services. "If camping in a traditional RV this is an ok option, and it is cheaper than some of the commercial campgrounds nearby," notes Rod D. from Cottonwood Campground — Willard Bay State Park regarding one of the few options with facilities within driving distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Laketown, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Laketown, UT is Rendezvous Beach — Bear Lake State Park with a 3.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Laketown, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Laketown, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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