North Fork County Park serves as an equestrian destination near South Weber at an elevation of 6,400 feet in the Wasatch Mountains. The park's valley location creates a microclimate that keeps summer temperatures 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding urban areas. Camping opportunities range from established state park campgrounds with full amenities to dispersed backcountry sites throughout the area's canyon systems.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 0.5 miles from campsite. At North Fork County Park, trails connect directly to a scenic waterfall. "There's a hidden waterfall you can hike too, and a river runs through the park. It's a must!" according to Debbie P., who considers this location a local favorite.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk optimal. Bridger Bay Campground on Antelope Island provides opportunities to observe bison and antelope in their natural habitat. One visitor noted, "Saw bison and antelope driving in the park" while another camper, John C., shared the unique experience of waking up to "bison walk up and graze through the campsites which is a beautiful thing."
Paddleboarding: Equipment rentals nearby. Silver Lake offers calm waters perfect for paddleboarding. As one visitor described, "Spent a weekend camping with friends. Was a great time with good people. We spent our afternoons paddleboarding on Silver Lake Reservoir."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Room for multiple tents. White Rock Bay Campground offers sites with ample space between neighbors. A camper noted, "The campground is very spread out and provides lots of space between you & other campers, so that's a plus."
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained. Hyrum State Park Campground receives praise for its well-kept amenities. A recent visitor shared, "This is a great campground, the host is really nice, it's clean, has great bathrooms and a great view of the lake!"
Star viewing: Minimal light pollution. Campers appreciate the night skies at higher elevation sites. One reviewer at North Fork noted, "I'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."
What you should know
Bug activity: Seasonal considerations. Biting insects can be problematic at certain locations, particularly near water. A visitor to White Rock Bay reported, "I cannot stress to you enough the amount of biting gnats there were. It was unbearable for us and bug spray didn't deter them one bit."
Reservation requirements: Book 3-6 months ahead. Popular sites fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. A camper at Granite Flat advised, "Book EARLY! This campsite is always full."
Gate closures: 10 PM at some parks. Several state parks implement evening gate closures that prevent vehicle access. A camper at Hyrum State Park warned, "They lock the front gate at 10 PM so if you are out after that time, you have to park your car on the street and walk to your campsite."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Available at select locations. Willard Bay State Park features family-friendly amenities. A visitor noted, "There's a nature trail through the grounds, a nice playground, and a 5 min walk to the beach."
Family reunion sites: Large group areas. Middle Fork Conservation Area offers space for larger gatherings. "My family and I were driving through and needed a place to stay for the night. It is down a dirt road in a valley surrounded by cattle and deer and elk," reported one camper, highlighting the peaceful setting.
Equestrian-friendly campgrounds: Designated areas. Horse campgrounds near South Weber, Utah often provide specific loops for equestrian camping. One visitor described, "There's a tiny-creek front, meadow, shaded and unshaded, and a specific area for if you bring horses. You choose what you want."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Call for level sites. RV travelers recommend checking site conditions before booking. At Dock Flat Campground, one visitor advised, "Trailers should stick to the lower sections as it gets a bit difficult to navigate past the second campground."
Hookup locations: Bring extra hose length. Some parks have hookups positioned inconveniently. At Cottonwood Campground, a camper warned, "note the sewer is toward the back, not the middle so bring lots of sewer hose."
Road conditions: 4WD required in some areas. Accessing certain horse-friendly camping areas near South Weber demands appropriate vehicles. One visitor noted, "you're definitely going to need 4WD and high clearance because the roads leading up to the campsite are filled with ruts and holes."
Legend
