Best Equestrian Camping near Manti-La Sal National Forest
Swinging Bridge Equestrian Campground offers six large campsites with green steel corrals for horses in a setting along the San Rafael River. The campground provides primitive horse camping with fire rings and picnic tables for humans. Sites accommodate up to two vehicles and ten people each, with a cost of $15 per night and half-price discounts for National Parks/Interagency Pass holders. The nearby Uinta National Forest Blackhawk Campground features equestrian sites at higher elevations with good views, pavilions, and fire pits. Horse-friendly camping is available from May through September, with closure periods that may vary. Minimal road noise creates a quiet environment for campers and horses, though neighboring dogs may occasionally bark.
Horseback riders have access to numerous trails in the Manti-La Sal and Uinta National Forest areas. The roads to these equestrian campgrounds vary from well-maintained gravel to rougher terrain, with Blackhawk requiring consideration for those towing horse trailers due to steeper climbs. Neither Swinging Bridge nor Blackhawk provides water for horses or humans, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Campers must also pack out all trash as there are no dumpsters on site. Cell service is typically unavailable at these remote locations. The equestrian sites at Blackhawk remain less crowded than standard camping areas even during busy weekends, offering greater privacy for those camping with horses. These horse-friendly campgrounds make excellent base camps for exploring the surrounding mountain and canyon terrain.
