Best Equestrian Camping near Salt Lake City, UT

Horse camping opportunities near Salt Lake City are limited, with most campgrounds lacking equestrian-specific facilities. Based on the available data, traditional horse corrals or dedicated equine amenities are not featured at the reviewed campgrounds. Silver Lake Backcountry offers dispersed camping options that accommodate horses on BLM land approximately 40-50 minutes from Provo. The roads leading to these sites require 4WD and high clearance vehicles due to rough terrain with ruts and creek crossings. Campsites are situated within half a mile of Silver Lake, surrounded by alpine views of the Timpanogos Massif and Box Elder Peak.

The area surrounding Silver Lake provides numerous trails suitable for horseback riding, though specific bridle trail designations are not mentioned in the data. Many of the trails are motor-friendly and shared with ATV users, particularly in the Silver Lake region. Kimball Campground, located near Silver Lake, offers wooded campsites accessible via dirt roads that become increasingly rough and rocky. Horse owners must manage dusty, chalky conditions that make keeping gear clean challenging. Both locations require campers to stay at least half a mile from the lake itself, with camping allowed for up to 14 days on this BLM land. Trail access includes connections to several hiking paths, including a 2.2-mile route from Kimball Campground to Silver Lake.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Salt Lake City, Utah (23)

    1. Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    52 Reviews
    Hooper, UT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 773-2941

    $20 - $200 / night

    "One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home."

    "By far one of my favorite stops through Utah ❤️ absolutely breathtaking views, along with scenic routes to see wildlife such as the bison."

    2. Granite Flat (utah)

    38 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $28 - $358 / night

    "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."

    3. Mountain Shadows RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Draper, UT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 571-4024

    4. White Rock Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    14 Reviews
    Hooper, UT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 773-2941

    $40 - $180 / night

    "Hues of all different kinds of colors reflect off the perfect mirror surface of the Great Salt Lake and give you an endless sunset much like at the Bonneville Salt Flats. "

    "A little buggy on the trails nearby, but no issues near the campsite. There were awnings for the picnic tables which was great, and it was a short walk to the Great Salt Lake!"

    5. Silver Lake Backcountry

    8 Reviews
    Alta, UT
    22 miles

    "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!"

    6. Willow Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Lehi, UT
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (385) 201-1000

    $25 - $175 / night

    "Nice simple camp ground no hook up but a good place to stay if visiting Salt Lake City and don’t want to pay a lot for a camp ground big rig friendly!"

    "This campground was nestled in the middle of Lehi Utah and it was a great place for us to swing in for one night."

    7. Timpooneke

    15 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    $28 - $205 / night

    "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."

    8. Nunns Park

    27 Reviews
    Aspen Grove, UT
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 851-8640

    "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."

    9. Kimball Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mutual Dell, UT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 999-2103

    "I spent one day exploring salt lake, which is about an hours drive from the campsite."

    "These campground spots are hidden within trees up the dirt road just past Silver Lake flats on the dirt road. The dirt road gets rough and rocky, but is driveable."

    10. Mount Timpanogos Campground

    8 Reviews
    Aspen Grove, UT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 785-3563

    "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."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Salt Lake City, UT

272 Reviews of 23 Salt Lake City Campgrounds


  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    Amazing in the Right Season!

    One of our favorite state parks in Utah is only~45 minutes away from Salt Lake City! There are bison, antelope, deer, and many other animals that call this island home. On the west side of the island are extensive muds flats that give you one of the best sunset views in Utah. One of our favorite things to do on the island is hike Frary Peak which is the high point of the island. The top portion of the hike is a rocky scramble, but there are plenty of side trails to beautiful viewpoints during the hike. 

    As for the best season to visit the island, we are partial to winter due to the absolute lack of bugs and stunning contrast of the bison on fresh snow. Our 2nd favorite season is early spring before the bugs come out in full swarm! I wouldn't recommend visiting in late spring or summer as there are swarms of all kinds of biting bugs and the temps can be unbearable.

  • Amanda D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2017

    Bridger Bay Campground — Antelope Island State Park

    Land of the swarming mosquitoes and rats

    I attempted to camp at Bridger Bay Campground after driving from Yellowstone NP to Salt Lake City in mid August. It is located on Antelope Island within Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island is an island located on the Great Salt Lake a few miles from Salt Lake City. I chose this campground because it seemed close to the major routes I was taking back towards California. I arrived after sunset and was happy to make it onto the causeway before they shut the gates. Arriving at the campground I noted that most of the sites were taken by trailers and RVs, which should have been a sign. After finding an open site, I got out of the car to one of the most horribly infested campsites I had ever seen. The air was thick with flies and mosquitoes making it miserable to try and unload and set up. The camp site also had several rats scurry around as I flashed my headlight around. At this point I decided to leave, so I did. I had never left a campsite before due to unsavory conditions, nor have I left one since. I got back in my car and drove back over the causeway. The gate was shut, but thankfully opened to let me out. While I’ve heard pleasant things about the island it may be best visited in a different season or time of day. I thoroughly enjoyed the motel I found. Here is more information about the campground and about the park. I hope to make it back someday to watch the Pronghorns, but will not plan on camping.

  • Sara S.
    Jun. 13, 2016

    Cottonwood Campground — Willard Bay State Park

    unexpected goodness :)

    I was impressed with the size of sites and the decent amount of privacy of the sites as well. Being the park is somewhat close to Salt Lake City I wasn't sure what to expect, but we were pleased with a couple nights at this park.

  • Salvy F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Willow Park Campground

    Cheep place to stay

    Nice simple camp ground no hook up but a good place to stay if visiting Salt Lake City and don’t want to pay a lot for a camp ground big rig friendly!

  • Michelle B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2019

    Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry

    Near Utah Lake Backcountry

    FREE! 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.

  • Michael J.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Timpooneke

    Amazing campground a short drive from the city

    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. While there are many campgrounds in Utah that rival it, this one is special because it's such a short drive after work.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2023

    Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry

    Good in a pinch, but shouldn't be your first option

    It'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!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 15, 2025

    Clover Springs Campground — Salt Lake Field Office

    Pretty spot with big sites

    Pretty spot that smells like juniper and has a nice creek.

    Minus a star for no running water and proximity to a busier road. I was the only camper on a chilly Wednesday night but had a surprising amount of traffic which woke me up a few times (my site was about 40 feet from the road).

    Sites are nicely spaced, especially the equestrian sites at the top of the campground.

    Full bars on Verizon. Small pit toilets. Clean and well kept overall.

  • Andrea P.
    May. 29, 2018

    Timpooneke

    Popular high elevation campground

    Timooneke 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.


Guide to Salt Lake City

Camping opportunities near Salt Lake City range from alpine hideaways to lakeside retreats, with elevations spanning from 4,200 feet in the valley to over 7,400 feet in mountain campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically reach 90°F at lower elevations while mountain sites remain 10-15 degrees cooler, making them popular retreats during peak season.

What to do

Hiking accessible trails: Mount Timpanogos Campground serves as a base camp for hikers with multiple trails nearby. As one visitor notes, "We came to hike Timp and stayed for a couple nights just as they were closing and this was the perfect spot under a mile from the trailhead." The campground sits at higher elevation, providing cooler temperatures during summer months.

Mountain biking routes: Granite Flat Campground connects to networks of trails suitable for both beginner and advanced riders. "Great small reservoirs nearby for fishing, or canoeing - no motor sports allowed," mentions a camper. The elevation at this campground (6,400 ft) means spring camping isn't possible until snow melts, typically by mid-May.

Wildlife viewing: Bridger Bay Campground on Antelope Island offers unique opportunities to observe free-roaming bison. "An amazing place to kick back, relax, and hangout with bison. They walk up and graze through the campsites which is a beautiful thing to wake up to," reports one visitor. The campground also provides access to ranch tours at Fielding Garr Ranch on the island.

Water activities: Non-motorized watercraft are permitted at several sites, with Silver Flat Reservoir standing out for paddleboarding and kayaking. As one camper described it: "We spent our afternoons paddleboarding on Silver Lake Reservoir." Water levels are typically highest in early summer following snowmelt.

What campers like

Mountain solitude: Mount Timpanogos Campground offers a quieter experience compared to busier valley sites. A visitor notes, "It was incredibly quiet, silent even, at night. Gorgeous but a little chilly." Sites are described as "spread out" with "lots of trees" providing shade and privacy from neighboring campers.

Family-friendly spaces: Willow Park Campground balances natural surroundings with convenient amenities. "This is a great place to camp within the city of Lehi. It is close to the water and in the hot summer it is a fun spot for a night get away. Big camp sites for trailers or tents and nice bathrooms," shares a frequent visitor who takes scout troops to the location.

River access: Timpooneke campground visitors appreciate the proximity to water features. "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," reports one camper. Most river-adjacent sites fill quickly during summer months.

Stargazing opportunities: Higher elevation campgrounds away from city lights offer exceptional night sky views. "Beautiful star gazing, great temps," reports one camper about White Rock Bay. The lack of light pollution at these more remote locations creates optimal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.

What you should know

Horse-friendly options: While dedicated equestrian facilities are limited near Salt Lake City, Kimball Campground offers access to motor-friendly trails suitable for horses. "Most of the trails are motor friendly and the lake is a great spot for kayaking," mentions one visitor. BLM regulations require staying at least half a mile from water sources when camping with horses.

Weather considerations: Mountain campgrounds experience rapid temperature changes. "The elevation is about 6400 ft - so no spring camping. Book EARLY! This campsite is always full," warns a visitor about Granite Flat. Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months at higher elevations.

Vehicle requirements: Access to several campgrounds requires appropriate vehicles. For Kimball Campground, "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!" Many access roads become impassable after rain or early/late in the season.

Reservation systems: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (June-August). "Be aware that this campsite reservations for the weekend fill up quick. I checked in late May and every weekend until September was already booked," cautions a Granite Flat visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Accessible short hikes: Nunns Park offers family-friendly trails suitable for younger children. "The walk from the campsite to bridal falls is also lovely!" reports one visitor. The trail to Bridal Veil Falls is paved and less than a mile one-way, making it manageable for most ages.

Wildlife viewing precautions: When camping in bison territory, maintain safe distances. "The bison are free grazing all around and a few came right up to our campground in the early morning!" This requires supervision of children and proper food storage to avoid attracting wildlife.

Water safety: Several campgrounds sit adjacent to rivers or lakes with varying conditions. "Nobody in my family was willing to swim in the lake. Which is beautiful from a distance," notes one Bridger Bay visitor. Water in mountain streams remains extremely cold even during summer months.

Insect protection: Certain locations experience seasonal insect problems. "Lovely scenery, water is currently off so no showers but has a clean pit toilet. Only downside was the no see um flys you can't for a walk without getting swarmed by them and bitten. Best to visit in the autumn when the flys have gone," advises a White Rock Bay camper.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Many mountain campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. "Sites are small and primarily tent sites. There are a couple sites which would accommodate a small 16 ft trailer," notes a Mount Timpanogos visitor. Check individual campground specifications before planning travel with larger units.

Hook-up availability: Most national forest and BLM campgrounds lack full amenities. For those requiring services, "Stopped here for a scenic spot to relax for the day and overnight. Nice level asphalt spots. Beautiful view of the lake," reports a visitor to Bridger Bay, which offers electrical hookups.

Off-season considerations: Some campgrounds close facilities during shoulder seasons. "At the time of our visit, the park was rebuilding its visitor center. This meant there is currently no running water so no toilets other than pit and no showers." Always verify operating schedules and available amenities before travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there overnight horse camps available in Salt Lake City?

Yes, overnight horse camps are available near Salt Lake City. Kimball Campground offers facilities for overnight horse camping. Another option is Mount Timpanogos Campground, which provides overnight accommodations for both riders and horses. These sites typically offer amenities like hitching posts or corrals, though availability may be limited. For equestrian camping, it's advisable to make reservations well in advance, especially during peak summer months.

Where can I find horse campgrounds near Salt Lake City?

Several horse-friendly campgrounds are available near Salt Lake City. Timpooneke is a standout option with dedicated horse corrals in one of its three camping areas. Located on the backside of Mount Timpanogos, this well-maintained campground is nestled among pine trees and offers a relatively short drive from the city. For those seeking more remote options, Shingle Creek ATV Campground accommodates equestrian campers as well. Book early for Timpooneke as it's very popular, especially during the summer months when the Alpine Loop is accessible.

What horseback riding trails are accessible from Salt Lake City camping areas?

Antelope Island State Park offers excellent horseback riding trails with stunning views of the Great Salt Lake, wildlife viewing opportunities, and diverse terrain. The park's campgrounds provide a convenient base for accessing these trails. For mountain terrain riding, the trails near Granite Flat provide scenic routes with nearby lakes and streams. The Alpine Loop area also features numerous horse-friendly trails with varying difficulty levels. Most of these trails are best ridden from late spring through early fall, depending on snowpack and trail conditions.