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Soapstone Basin Dispersed Camping offers primitive sites across the mountain landscape south of Peoa, Utah. The area accommodates horse trailers at several dirt road pull-offs that wind through trees and meadows. While no formal horse corrals exist, the expansive terrain provides ample space for portable corrals or highlines. The unpaved access roads generally require high-clearance vehicles, especially when wet or muddy. The free camping area features vault toilets but no water hookups, requiring equestrians to bring sufficient water for themselves and their animals. Many campsites provide enough space for trucks with horse trailers, though the busier summer months and holiday weekends can make securing a suitable spot challenging. Moose and deer frequently wander through campgrounds during early mornings and evenings.
Mill Hollow dispersed camping areas connect to an extensive network of trails suitable for horseback riding throughout the Uinta National Forest. The terrain offers varied riding opportunities through aspen groves, open meadows filled with wildflowers, and forested sections with scenic views. Access roads to camping areas can be rutted and rough, with some sections requiring 4x4 capability during wet conditions or at higher elevations. Most campsites sit near streams or the reservoir, providing natural water sources for horses after proper filtration. The area experiences significantly cooler temperatures than the Salt Lake Valley, making it a popular summer destination. Riders should be aware of other recreational users, as the trails are shared with hikers and motorized vehicles including ATVs and dirt bikes, particularly during daylight hours.
"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"No bathrooms, primitive and huge families with atvs and dirt bikes everywhere nearby. They were polite and had reasonable time for no noise."
"This area has many camp sites to choose from, traveling from the highway 150 will absolutely require 4x4 but the other end could manage without."
"Allow horses in the horse section of the campground. Lake you can canoe, kayak no motorized crafts allwed. Fishing and swimming in the lake. Nice hiking around the lake."
"Mirror lake is the most popular campground in all of the Uintas so the spots go super fast as soon as registration is opened! If you want solitude this is not the spot for you."
from $28 - $84 / night
Check Availability"Over Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I got away for a night and dispersed camp in the Unita National forest near the Mill Creek campground. "
"Our family really likes dispersed camping near Mill hollow reservoir. It’s very peaceful and scenic!"
"Nice campsites near a creek. It is a little close to the highway but there wasn’t much traffic. The shingle creek trailhead was close and the hiking is beautiful."
"You can’t drive to the coordinates, you have to park at the uppermost parking lot for Silver Flat and hike up to a camping spot. Camping anywhere along that road will give you gorgeous views, though!"
"There were a lot of off road vehicles and people fishing. More crowded then we were expecting, but the views were amazing! Not a lot of shade, as in bring your own. Perfect place for dogs to play!"
"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"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."
from $75 - $125 / night
Check Availability"Our site was right by the entrance and near a stream bed that was dry. It was incredibly quiet, silent even, at night. Gorgeous but a little chilly."
"We didn't spend much time during the day as we were visiting relatives near Provo and enjoyed the cooler getaway in the evening."
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.
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.
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!
TravelerBeautiful higher altitude camping. RV's and tent camping. No electricity or water hookups. No showers and pit toilets. Allow horses in the horse section of the campground. Lake you can canoe, kayak no motorized crafts allwed. Fishing and swimming in the lake. Nice hiking around the lake.
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.
LegendThis is one of the first campgrounds one comes across while heading north along Mirror Lake Hwy. Like some of the other campgrounds along the Hwy it is fairly close to the road and therefore traffic noise is an issue. There is a creek that runs between the campground and the road but it was such a slow flow it doesn't really do much to drown out the noise. The only positive to this slow moving stream is that beavers have taken up residence here and have created a pretty little beaver dam and pond! To get away from the noise of the Hwy one can take the nearby Shingle Creek TH to East Shingle Creek Lake or Big Elk Lake for some fishing. As with other campgrounds, water is not available due to the dry winter so bring all that you will need. To stay here you'll need to pay $18 a night for the campground and for the Mirror Lake Rec. Pass for $6 for 3 days and $12 for the week
LegendThis is a great place to pitch a tent or come up and stay for the day. 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. The bike path is close so bring your long board or bike and go for a ride. This is withing walking distance from Bridal Vail Falls so that is a great day hike and see the falls. Also great fly fishing in the Provo river so do yourself a favor and bring your fishing gear.
GuideI stayed here for three nights (July 7-9 2021) and it was great!! I’m on a road trip to Chicago from California and this was the first place I stayed and I absolutely loved it.
The campsites are hidden but close together which I loved being a solo female traveler it made me feel so safe knowing people were on both sides of me.
The roads are really rough don’t think you’ll be able to do it without 4x4 or awd my Honda CR-V did great!!
One thing though, the camp sites fill up quick my first night was a Wednesday and I got there around 6pm and I found a spot just big enough to park my car for the three nights. It was just off the road and basically no privacy but I was just looking for a safe place to sleep and that’s what I got!
I spent one day exploring salt lake, which is about an hours drive from the campsite. And I spent another day only up near the site, there’s a trail head that leads off to about 3 or 4 different trails I did trail 173 it was 2.5miles and it took you up so you have an amazing elevated view of the mountains and lake and about 2 miles in it leads you to the opposite side of the lake that you drive up next to.
This is blm land so you can stay for free up to 14 days which was a big factor into why I chose to camp here!
Overall I loved it here I totally fell I love with Utah and I can’t wait to stop by on my way home and camp here again!
Oh also if you ride dirt bikes/atvs most of the trails are motor friendly and the lake is a great spot for kayaking!!
Dispersed camping options around Soapstone Basin provide access to mountain recreation south of Peoa, Utah at elevations between 6400-8000 feet. The area sits within Uinta National Forest with access via unpaved roads that range from maintained gravel to rough dirt tracks requiring high-clearance vehicles. Temperature drops of 15-20 degrees compared to Salt Lake Valley make this a popular summer destination for both day use and overnight camping.
Trail exploration on horseback: Equestrian camping near Peoa, Utah connects to extensive riding trails throughout the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. At Mirror Lake - Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, riders find accessible paths for various skill levels. "Canoe and kayak, hiking, bike, kids love it, adults love it. Camp hosts are nice. If this campground is full there are tons more around it," notes Lisa W.
Fishing in mountain lakes: The area contains multiple fishing spots within short driving distances from camp. "There are a couple of nearby lakes and amazing views all around. It can get cold at night - high elevation," reports Angee D. about Timpooneke campground. Sunrise and sunset hours typically offer the best fishing conditions.
Off-road vehicle trails: The region features numerous ATV and dirt bike paths. At Shingle Creek ATV Campground, riders can access designated routes directly. "The shingle creek trailhead was close and the hiking is beautiful. We saw a moose about 30 feet from our campsite drinking from the creek," writes Kristy M.
Mountain wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide opportunities to spot local animals. At Soapstone Basin Dispersed Camping, "I've seen plenty of chipmunks and even had two elk run past my campsite," shares Carol B. The basin area hosts deer, moose, and various small mammals throughout the warmer months.
Cool summer temperatures: Higher elevations create significantly cooler camping conditions than nearby urban areas. "Headed up this way to escape the valley heat. Temps are significantly cooler," reports Taylor S. The temperature difference can reach 15-20 degrees cooler than Salt Lake City on summer days.
Wildflower displays: Spring and early summer bring extensive wildflower blooms across meadow areas. "Wildflowers as far as you can see. Wide open spaces. Dispersed camp sites," notes Tayler S. Peak viewing typically runs from late June through mid-July depending on snowmelt and seasonal conditions.
Road conditions vary seasonally: Access roads to horse-friendly camping areas require appropriate vehicles. At Dispersed Camping--Mill Hollow/Utah FR054, "Road was very accessible lower down with some more adventurous offshoots requiring higher clearance and likely 4x4. We went up an offshoot and navigated through and around some deeper ruts and snow drifts," reports Adam J.
Busy holiday weekends: Popular camping areas fill quickly during peak times. "We were there Thursday through Saturday and had a great time! Be warned that the bathrooms smell pretty strongly," notes Julie A. about Mirror Lake campground. Areas with reservable sites should be booked 3-6 months in advance for summer holidays.
Weather preparation essential: Mountain weather changes rapidly even in summer. "Make sure to bring plenty of layers. With the high elevation make sure to bring plenty of layers," advises Sarah E. Overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F even during July and August.
Find spaces for group activities: Some areas provide natural gathering spots. At Mount Timpanogos Campground, campers note the facilities for groups. "I took the scouts up to this spot and it is a great place to camp with lots of room. There is a huge spot of grass that you can play sports or baseball on," reports Brad B. about a nearby site.
Water source planning: Natural water sources require treatment for safe use. "Most campsites sit near streams or the reservoir, providing natural water sources for horses after proper filtration," states one review. Pack sufficient water for your group or bring reliable filtration equipment.
Restroom availability varies: Not all areas have maintained facilities. At dispersed sites in Mill Hollow, Adam J. notes, "Fewer people the more altitude we gained. Lots of spots here. Keep driving until you find one, closer in spots are usually taken up with trailers and small rvs."
Site selection for horse trailers: For equestrian camping trips, check access road quality before bringing large trailers. "Our site was on the edge and we had a small cliff at the back of it so that was nice for added privacy, deterring bigger animals," shares Michelle L. from Mirror Lake. For those with horses, areas like Soapstone Basin offer more trailer-accessible sites than formal campgrounds.
Limited hookups available: Facilities vary widely across the region. "Very large space. We fit a lot people there (only one tent) we were able to wake up and get on the trail and hike up to the glacier and camp," notes Easton S. Most horse-friendly areas have no electrical or water hookups, so plan accordingly with sufficient water storage.
Leveling challenges: Many dispersed sites have uneven terrain. "The one downside was that the tent spot was not flat, and had quite a few large rocks. Otherwise, it was great," writes Justin J. Bring leveling blocks and stabilizers, especially for areas off maintained roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Peoa, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Peoa, UT is Granite Flat (utah) with a 4.3-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Peoa, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 equestrian camping locations near Peoa, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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