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Uinta National Forest Blackhawk Campground provides dedicated equestrian camping facilities near Mapleton, Utah. Reservations are required for this established campground which accommodates tent and RV camping as well as glamping options. The campground features sanitary dump stations for horse owners maintaining clean camping areas. Trail access from the campground connects directly to multiple hiking paths with spectacular mountain views. The campground is typically open from May 25 to September 3 each season, making it ideal for summer equestrian adventures.
Located approximately 30 miles from Mapleton in Fairview, the campground serves as a central base for exploring the Uinta National Forest trail system. Riders can access multiple trail options directly from the campground without trailering horses to distant starting points. While the campground doesn't offer dedicated horse corrals, equestrians can set up portable corrals or use highlines for overnight horse containment. The campground maintains several regulations for horse owners including designated areas for feeding and watering to minimize environmental impact. Most campsites accommodate horse trailers with adequate parking space, though reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer weekends when the campground frequently reaches capacity.
"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."
"Being 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. "
"There is a lake close by within walking distance with a paved trail all around it. The water was low and pretty gross when we went at the end of the summer. I stayed at B23."
from $27 - $270 / night
Check Availability"Fun campground with a discovery walking nature trail. Dry camping with easy river/creek access. Stayed in loop A - lots of trees, birds and insects. Clean and close to the Salt Lake Valley."
"We were close to the river though and the kids had fun playing in it. There are no fish in this river, which was unfortunate since I was hoping to do a little fishing."
from $27 - $313 / night
Check Availability"But this is Utah in the heat... Bring your own air conditioning. We are here mid-week. It is very quiet and peaceful except for the occasional train."
"Better for RVs and self contained vans as there were no amenities or even privacy, it was still large enough that we had plenty of distance between us and any other parties."
"There is a sign on the highway Sheep Creek. This is open range so you might see some cattle. I am sure you will see some cow patties so watch your step."
"Nice campground in Utah County. Not far from town and any services that could be needed. Lots of hiking available, although a bit rocky and steep for my old knees."
"Here are some of the things we loved about staying here:
- Great hiking- the hiking around this area was amazing. We absolutely enjoyed these trails."
from $27 - $540 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $355 / night
Check Availability"Unreal location, and the lake is beautiful."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $204 / night
Check Availability"we booked equestrian sites up at the top - highest elevation. Good views, pavilions, fire pits and pit toilets."
"Access to lots of pretty places to run around and explore. Great places for kids to play. Lots of tall pine trees. I definitely recommend!"
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!
LegendWe were blown away at how tranquil and beautiful the surroundings are at Potters Pond Campground. The abundant trees and brush truly make one feel like they are a million miles away from home. The journey to the campground starts at Millers Flat Road which is a dirt road that is for the most part well groomed/maintained. It is very bumpy, but can be done with most vehicles. We were towing our 24' TT so we were going slow. It is about 8.3 miles of dirt road to the campground from UT 31. The sites are spaced far enough from each other which gives you plenty of room to spread out and relax. The short walk to the pond is easy and you will appreciate the stillness of the water. Most people were either fishing or enjoying the pond on a row boat. Not 100% sure if the pond is okay to swim in as there are no signage and the presence of blue algae is apparent. Potters Pond is part of the USDA national forest and is wide open and plenty of trails to hike/bike. The campground is adjacent to the Appain Trails where one has access to 300+ miles of off-road enjoyment.
The campground does not have any potable water or any services. There are vault toilets spread out throughout the grounds. Also, there are no dumpsters....so what you bring in, you have to take with you. The campground is situated above 9000ft elevation so the days are mild warm and the nights can be cool to cold. If you're looking for solitude and nature, this is the place to go!
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.
Uinta National Forest offers diverse equestrian camping options near Mapleton, Utah with elevations ranging from 5,800 to 7,400 feet. The camping season typically runs May through September, with mountain temperatures dropping significantly at night even during summer months. Several campgrounds in the area connect directly to multi-use trail systems suitable for horses and hikers.
Hiking to waterfalls: From Nunns Park, campers can access nearby Bridal Veil Falls. "The walk from the campsite to bridal falls is also lovely!" notes Helen A., who appreciates the impressive canyon cliffs on either side of the campground.
Mountain biking: The trails around Payson Lakes offer excellent terrain for cycling enthusiasts. "Great bike trails and amazing views all around," reports Brad B., who considers this one of his favorite summer getaway spots because of the extensive trail network.
Fishing for beginners: Several small lakes in the area are stocked regularly. "Great fishery for children and youth, as well as an amazing area for swimming and kayaking," mentions James B., who appreciates that Payson Lakes doesn't allow motorized boats, making it safer for young anglers.
Paddling calm waters: Non-motorized water activities are popular at several nearby lakes. Brad B. points out that Payson Lakes offers "lots of fish in the lake, great bike trails and amazing views all around," making it a versatile destination for outdoor activities within 15 minutes of Payson.
Morning views: Sunrise vistas are frequently mentioned in reviews of Spanish Fork River Park. "We got a nice sunset," reports Josie B., who found the campground ideal for a comfortable night's sleep between destinations.
Stream sounds: Many campers enjoy sites positioned near moving water. At Nunns Park, Michael L. appreciates the natural sound buffer: "Very pretty with Provo river next to it," though he notes that "bike path and highway noise can be distracting" at times.
Accessibility to town: Several campgrounds provide wilderness experiences while remaining close to urban amenities. Joshua C. found Nunns Park particularly convenient: "The best part is how close it is to Provo. Super convenient," making it ideal for quick getaways without extensive travel time.
Shaded sites: Tree cover is important in the Utah summer heat. Carol B. found Whiting Campground "literally one of the cleanest I've been to this year," adding that "every site had shade with concrete parking and fire pit."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Timpooneke Campground, Stacy D. warns about availability challenges: "Online it indicates that they have lots of walk ups, however, driving through we only saw 2 with the W designation and everything else had a reserved sign up."
Temperature fluctuations: The elevation means significant day-to-night temperature changes. Angee D. notes about Timpooneke: "It can get cold at night - high elevation," recommending campers prepare for cooler conditions despite warm daytime temperatures.
Train noise: Some lower elevation sites experience railway disturbances. Jeremy H. found this particularly challenging at Spanish Fork River Park: "This is a terrible campground unless you like subpar amenities, noisy trains, and nearly nothing to do," indicating noise sensitivity should factor into campsite selection.
Site size variations: Campsite dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Payson Lakes, Sheila M. discovered an unexpected situation: "Their normal campsites are really small. We'd actually accidentally set up residence in a double spot without knowing it," resulting in paying double the standard $23/night fee.
Water activities: Families often appreciate campsites near lakes. Courtney S. found Payson Lakes Campground particularly family-friendly: "Bathrooms and drinking water available. Lots of shade. Easy walk to the lake. Great fishing. Very fun for kids."
Playground access: Some campgrounds include built-in recreation areas. Whitney W. notes that Spanish Fork River Park has "restrooms, playgrounds and dirt volleyball courts" on both sides of the campground, providing entertainment options for children.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening animal sightings enhance the camping experience. Veronica S. reports from Payson Lakes: "We brought our dog who herded deer through our campsite twice, the kids loved it."
Weekend planning: Family-oriented sites fill quickly on weekends. Brad B. advises about Whiting Campground: "Call ahead for reservations. Especially for large groups," as popular areas reach capacity during peak times.
Site surfaces: Many campgrounds feature improved parking pads. At Whiting Campground, connie C. found "campsites are concrete with tables and firepits, very clean," making setup easier for RVs and trailers.
Campground navigation: Road quality varies between destinations. Monica W. discovered that at Diamond Campground "all driveways and roads up to and around camp were paved. We have a 31 ft class A motor home and we navigated around easily."
Partial hookups: RV sites typically offer limited services. Michael L. reports that at Spanish Fork River Park, they found "partial hookups with electricity and water (no sewer or cable)," noting that most spots along the river are shaded in the afternoon.
Site spacing: Distance between campsites affects privacy levels. Preston G. found loop selection important at Diamond Campground: "We were in loop B which lacked trees so it got hot during the day," suggesting loop A might provide better shade for RV camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mapleton, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mapleton, UT is Nunns Park with a 4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mapleton, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Mapleton, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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