11 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping is available in the Franklin Basin area near Richmond, Utah, offering multiple locations for camping with horses along Franklin Basin Road. This free camping area provides access to old logging trails and hiking areas where horses can be ridden. The road is well-maintained and suitable for horse trailers, with large pull-in spots that can accommodate camper rigs with horse trailers. Sites are spread out along the way over approximately 5 miles, with some locations offering direct access to the Logan River. Many camping spots feature fire rings when seasonal restrictions allow. The gravel road remains 2WD friendly for miles, though it narrows as you travel farther up the canyon.
Located near Bear Lake, Franklin Basin presents numerous opportunities for trail riding with horses. The area is ideal for anyone looking to ride on dirt trails, with many different places to visit throughout the region including Beaver Creek and various logging paths. Sites are situated along a creek that flows back and forth around the camping area, providing water access for horses. The road continues for approximately 1.5 hours of driving distance, extending well into Idaho with dispersed camping spots along the way. Camping sites can accommodate big groups and are positioned with enough distance between them for privacy. Many visitors note the remarkable mountain views and meadow landscapes accessible by horseback. Beware that gates and cattle guards mark certain boundaries in the area, and cows are frequently encountered but are generally friendly to passing vehicles.
"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"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"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."
"Near city limits where there is places to buy groceries, gas, or go out to a restaurant. They have about 20 spots with electrical outlets."
"It is close to the reservoir of you need to cool off and there is also the creek which runs right next to it! It has picnic tables and a bbq grill and sleeping space inside for a few people"
from $60 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in the campsite overlooking the lake and accross the road. There are about 7 campsites all with metal pole building type shelters and picnic tables. Each site also provides a fire ring."
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.
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)
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.
LegendThis cabin needs to be reserved first and foremost. The # can be found in the pictures. It is close to the reservoir of you need to cool off and there is also the creek which runs right next to it! It has picnic tables and a bbq grill and sleeping space inside for a few people
Franklin Basin dispersed camping extends approximately 1.5 hours of driving distance into Idaho, with elevations ranging from 7,000 to 8,500 feet throughout the area. The region experiences significant seasonal changes, with cooler summer temperatures averaging 10-15°F below valley temperatures. Road conditions change dramatically based on recent weather, with spring runoff often causing temporary access issues.
Explore mountain bike trails: The area surrounding North Fork County Park offers excellent riding opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "There's a hidden waterfall you can hike too, and a river runs through the park. It's a must!" notes Debbie P. The park features dedicated mountain biking trails for all skill levels.
Visit the Paris Ice Cave: Located about six miles from Paris Springs Campground, this natural formation makes for an interesting day trip. "There are about 10 sites and it was almost full capacity on a Friday. There were hummingbirds everywhere! And dragon flies too! The wild flowers were still pretty vibrant but starting to fade," says Carrie C. The cave maintains ice formations even during summer months.
Take advantage of water recreation: Rendezvous Beach at Bear Lake State Park provides sandy beaches for swimming and lake access. "The only highlight of camping here was access to Bear Lake," states Amber Z. The lake's turquoise water and sandy beaches make it a popular destination during summer months.
Privacy between sites: Franklin Basin offers good separation between camping areas. "Big enough area for family reunions and weddings," mentions Jeron E. about North Fork Park. The distance between sites allows for group camping without disturbing other visitors.
Access to hiking trails: Multiple trails connect throughout the region. "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," explains Auston T.
Cooler temperatures: The higher elevation provides relief during summer heat. "We went at the beginning of June, it was a bit chilly some mornings and at night, so come prepared," advises Kennedy F. Temperature differences can reach 15-20°F cooler than surrounding valley areas.
Campsites fill quickly on weekends: Arrive early to secure a spot, especially during summer months. "I went by myself on a Friday afternoon and it was super busy but there were still some spots for just a car right off the side of the road which worked fine for me since I was car camping, but I would be cautious if you aren't car camping to make sure you show up earlier than I did (6pm)," reports Maddie F.
Road conditions vary: Some areas require higher clearance vehicles. "Bumper is now falling off and I think one of the rocks gave my tire a leak," warns Maddie F. about trying to access more remote spots. Stick to main roads if driving a standard passenger vehicle.
Bug activity can be intense: Cottonwood Campground at Willard Bay State Park campers note similar issues. "Stayed for Memorial Day weekend in the cottonwood campground. With citronella candles, bug sprays and bug deterrent bracelets, the mosquitoes and other bugs were relentless," reports Rara B. Mosquito activity peaks at dawn and dusk, especially near water sources.
Look for shaded sites: Trees provide natural cooling during hot days. "Tons of shade and trees," David T. mentions about Malad Summit Guard Station. Shaded sites can be 5-10°F cooler than exposed areas.
Choose locations with nearby attractions: Multiple points of interest keep children engaged. "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," explains Rara B. about Cottonwood Campground. "There's a nature trail through the grounds, a nice playground, and a 5 min walk to the beach."
Consider established campgrounds with facilities: Some horse campgrounds near Richmond, Utah lack basic amenities. "This state park is basically in the middle of a neighborhood of a small community. Locals seem to love it but it's not crowded at all," notes Brenda L. about Hyrum State Park Campground. "Picnic tables and fire rings at each site. They also have a couple of cabins available."
Check site specifications before arrival: Some areas have limited turning space. "We wanted to try this out with our 28' bumper pull. Luckily it was not a busy weekend, we had to move sites to one that would accommodate. Hard to maneuver in the campground as well as getting up the narrow road," warns David T. about Malad Summit Guard Station.
Use established pull-through sites for larger rigs: Franklin Basin has designated areas for bigger vehicles. "Lots of spaces here. Big pull-in spots for camper rigs. And some small side pull outs for sedans who don't mind walk-in tent spots," explains Robert S. These sites typically accommodate vehicles up to 35 feet in length.
Consider alternative locations for horse camping: Beyond Franklin Basin, several equestrian campgrounds near Richmond offer better facilities. "We've never had any problems finding a spot, being comfortable and enjoying our time up there. The camp hosts have ALWAYS been friendly, helpful and professional," shares Dave D. about North Fork Park, which offers additional horse-friendly trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Richmond, UT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Richmond, UT is Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Richmond, UT?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Richmond, UT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
