Smoky Mountain Campground at Castle Rocks State Park features dedicated equestrian sites with individual corrals for horses. Located near the City of Rocks National Reserve, this campground provides water and electrical hookups at each site while maintaining excellent privacy between camping areas. The well-maintained paved roads throughout the campground make for easy access with horse trailers. Sites are spacious and positioned to offer views of the surrounding mountains, with many campers noting the exceptional dark skies for stargazing after a day of riding. The campground remains relatively quiet even during peak season, making it ideal for horses that might be sensitive to crowds and noise.
Riders can access multiple trail systems directly from the campground, with routes leading into both Castle Rocks State Park and the adjacent City of Rocks National Reserve. The varied terrain offers excellent opportunities for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly paths to more challenging routes through the distinctive rock formations. Water access for horses is available at designated locations throughout the trail system. During summer months, early morning rides are recommended to avoid afternoon heat, while spring and fall provide more moderate temperatures for longer excursions. Camping with horses requires reservations well in advance, especially during the high season from May through October. The nearby town of Almo offers limited supplies including feed at Tracy's General Store, though equestrians should bring most provisions as services are limited in this remote area.
"Sites are dispersed throughout the entire park, as opposed to being condensed into one central location. It makes for some very unique and private sites - no two alike."
"Being right next to the Breadloaves you have close to 100 routes to choose from with a combo of both traditional and sport."
"Located about a 7-mile drive/walk to the entrance of City of Rocks, Smoky Mountain Campground is situated above the valley providing a wonderful view from many sites including space #19 where I parked"
"Smoky Mountain campground is very close to the entrance of City of Rocks NR and just slightly further is Castle Rocks SP, however, the grounds are managed by the state park."
"Loved hearing the creek as we tucked in for the night. The hike the next morning to the lake was a great challenge! There is an unmarked fork at about a mile and half in... go right!"
"There is no access to dumping trash. It's a 2.5 mile hike to the first lake. It inclines all the way up."
"We found this site on the Dyrt in looking for a stopover between Park city Utah and Boise Idaho. Wow, Bennet Springs is a hidden gem!"
"Our favorite site has a little creek right next to it. Great for kids to play in. There's also a trail that goes along the creek which starts at the bottom most campsite."
"This is another great campsite on the road that heads up to Lake Cleveland and Mt Harrison. "
"Just a short walk away brings you to incredible views and cool rock formations. There is an outhouse but no running water and it’s a trash in/trash out campsite."
from $5 / night
"Conveniently located next to the rodeo arena. Nice grass between back-in RV sites. A few larger trees, but mostly fun sun. Power and water at each site, and a free sewer dump."
GuideBeautiful sites, electric and water. Bathrooms and showers adequate. Simply crazy noisy during our stay. It was like camping in an elementary and middle school playground. Decent multi use trail on site. Great hiking and climbing nearby. No information offered regarding trails do depended on AllTrails.
ScoutThis Campground is very nice... It has its own uniqueness. I recommend rolling in before dark to find your camping spot... But once you do, they're spaced out really well... A little windy last night but that's okay
ScoutTook the long drive up and arrived at the campground at night. Didn’t see the snow and almost got stuck. Currently (5/10/24) there is snow blocking the entrance and impassible.
GuideClose to City of Rocks and the small town of Almo. Hot springs in Almo. Small market in town which makes their own ice cream and has a little restaurant across the street but not much in the way of groceries. Couple other restaurants in town but they were not open while we were there. Also water not yet turned on in the campground so bring your own water if you are coming through early in the season. But it was quiet and we were able to explore and hike without running into many people
ScoutDont know where this is supposed to be never found it or a way to get to it very confused and sad
GuideDecent little camp spot to enjoy some quiet time and the sound of the small river running by. During my trip I seen maybe 5-6 people coming up after my arrival. All but 1 kept going up, I stayed in the lower lot. The large spot to the right as you cross the entry bridge at the sign. Campsite was clean, bathrooms were clean. No cell service, clean air. Good spot for an overnight, but nothing super special.
LegendThis is a great campground. All the 65 sites are spread out throughout the park. So you will have some sort of awesome rocks near your site. I felt like a kid in a huge playground. Sites are small. No trailers over 25’. No cell service.
TravelerWe rolled in just for a night and I was pretty blown away by how beautiful the landscape is! Our map took us to the western entrance but we barely made it far down the road it was so gravely and wavy, our little trailer wasn’t handling it well. So we had to backtrack and drive an hour around the park to the other entrance. Only complaint is it was super difficult to find the pay station. We drove around a while looking for it. The views and little hike we took was awesome and we will definitely be back!
ScoutExcellent campground. Quiet and out of the way. Good privacy and clean and well kept facilities. It’s in an out of the way location which is one of the things we love about it but may not be everyone’s cup of tea. We very much enjoyed our stay there.
Smoky Mountain Campground at Castle Rocks State Park provides equestrian facilities through a dedicated loop with individual horse corrals. Located near Almo, Idaho, approximately 90 miles from Park Valley, Utah, the campground offers both standard and equestrian-specific campsites with water and electric hookups. The equestrian loop features individual corrals for each site, allowing horse owners to keep their animals safely contained during overnight stays. Sites are paved and private, with ample space for both camping units and horse trailers. The campground remains exceptionally clean with accessible facilities including individual shower rooms and separate toilet facilities.
Riders access numerous trails directly from the campground, with routes connecting to both Castle Rocks State Park and City of Rocks National Reserve. The trails accommodate various skill levels, from beginner paths to more challenging terrain for experienced equestrians. Many campsites remain spread out and private, offering excellent views of the surrounding mountains and rock formations. Water availability varies seasonally, with some facilities closed during winter months, making it essential for equestrians to confirm current conditions before arrival. Local cattle drives occasionally occur on nearby roads, creating an authentic western experience for visitors. The campground's location provides dark night skies ideal for stargazing after evening trail rides, with minimal light pollution enhancing the rural camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Park Valley, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Park Valley, UT is City of Rocks Campground — City of Rocks Natural Reserve with a 4.9-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Park Valley, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Park Valley, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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