Sleeping Bear Campground accommodates horses in a scenic Utah setting accessible via an easy dirt road. This dispersed camping area allows riders to camp with their horses with ample space for trailer parking and room for animals to roam. The natural surroundings provide necessary elements for horse camping, including open space for portable corrals or highlines. Sites offer sufficient space between camping areas to maintain privacy while keeping horses secure. The terrain allows for horses to be kept close to camp for easy monitoring. Some spots include natural barriers that help define horse-keeping areas from sleeping quarters. The area remains quiet even with multiple groups camping, allowing horses to settle comfortably for the night. Wild horses may occasionally be spotted in the vicinity during morning hours.
The surrounding landscape offers moderate to challenging riding terrain with varied trails suitable for different horse experience levels. Riders access multiple trail options directly from the campground without needing to trailer horses to separate trailheads. Water access points exist along some routes, though availability varies seasonally. Campers should bring sufficient water for horses during drier months. The dispersed nature of the campground means riders must practice proper manure management and follow leave-no-trace principles for horse waste. Each site provides adequate space for portable panel corrals or picket lines, though permanent facilities like wash racks or designated stalls are not available. Horse owners must bring all necessary containment equipment. Trailers can typically be positioned to create natural windbreaks for horses during overnight stays. Utah's equestrian campgrounds provide the perfect base for exploring the state's spectacular backcountry on horseback.
$25 - $250 / night
"This campground is surrounded by tall majestic rocks high in the Utah desert. Well located to visit several National parks. Toilets and water scattered around this large site."
"Depending on how far you want to walk, there is access to several of the park's arches right from the campsite. Beware of Ravens!"
$35 / night
"Perfect location just a short walk away from the visitors center where you catch the shuttle into the park, or exit to catch the shuttle to Springdale. Clean bathrooms. No shade at site 125."
"The drive in from the Eastern entrance is simply incredible and full of epic photo ops. Zion reminds me of Yosemite Valley in some ways."
$30 - $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."
"Close to arches, canyonlands and dead horse. Nice for a free campground to have portapotties spread out along the road. People tended to share camp spots when I was there."
"Tons of access to mountain bike trails in the area as well. Fire bans were in place at the time through summer to Nov 1st."
$40 - $200 / night
"2.5 mike hike in, 300 ft elevation gain, easy trail to beautiful overlook of southern Utah. Camp is a sandy open area next to the overlook and cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park. Free to camp."
"Our two week trip to southern Utah was full of promise."
"It’s next to a creek and has a lot of private room to camp. It’s only 14 miles out of Zion national park! The creek is dry right now as it’s middle of July."
"Close to the road but not too noisy. It's about 45 minutes to the Zion visitor center. Gas stations & restaurant close by."
$27 - $355 / 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."
$20 / night
"Ken's Lake Campground is a fairly large campground located 10 miles south of Moab. The campground has 48 sites but it did not feel that large."
"I loved the location because it wasn't far off the main highway, had decent road access and offered great views, a simple hike to a nice promontory and near running water (unpotable)."
"The campground is located away from the resort features which we appreciated, so that is was a little more of an authentic camping experience."
"We were just looking for a place to sleep, checked out the first camping outside of Zion east entrance and decided to check out the next closest one according to info from the Zion ranger."
"The only bad part about this camp site is all the highway noise. It is close to the Provo river and there is lots of shade so that is nice. Great place to have a camp fire and cook some S'mores. "
"A clean, nice, convenient getaway just under 15 minutes outside the city. This served as a great stop for our road trip where we were able to camp 10-steps away from the river, and it was ."
GuideBeautiful little camp spots. There are a couple spots at the top that are accessible for cars but be very careful at the bottom. I was extremely close to getting stuck at the bottom. Had to kick it into four high, say a little prayer, and throttle like hell. The sand is soft and DEEP! Quit a bit of flooding and deep ruts through there as well.
LegendNothing too special. You have to pay 10$ just to get through the gate. That doesnt include any camping fees. 15$ for tent sites. 35$ for RV sites. RV sites are basically on top of each other, so if its busy plan to be cramping each others style Paying for sites is very confusing and the camp host didnt have many answers for us. The camp host did let us use the overflow area as dispersed camping for no additional cost though. Bathroom has 2 showers. Water doesn’t get super hot but warm enough for showers.
TravelerI camped there at the very end of October for two nights and chose Ken's Lake because of the access to trails onsite for some small excursions for me and my dog as well as its proximity to Moab. I knew it was a basic campground and was prepared for that with my own water. The vaulted bathrooms were clean and the pitches themselves perfectly fine. It was great waking up to red rocks on both sides. FYI- there is absolutely no shade in Loop A, only some in Loop B. Loop C looked really cool and definitely has trees and shade but it's a first come first served area and I didn't want to chance it. I was worried about rain and getting stuck as I wasn't in a AWD or 4x4, but after one night of heavy rain, I was able to drive away to well maintained and perfectly drained gravel roads with zero issues. Would definitely stay here again!
GuideThis campground is like no other. Highly recommend! We were able to climb up on the rocks on our campsite and watch the sunset and it was amazing. We stayed one night, but I wish we would have stayed longer.
GuideSecured this spot early in the morning on Sunday once it became first come first serve. I secured site number 17. Not very spread out from your neighbors you’re definitely on top of each other and can have limited privacy. Not too far of a walk from the bathrooms and gorgeous views. The day I camped it rained and was foggy all day so only got to see the views for intermittent periods of time. You get a fire ring and a picnic table and it was 25 bucks for the night. Definitely worth it to be inside the park and have immediate access to all the trails and things to do inside Arches! If I were to camp here again I would try to secure a spot on the backend loop there are some prettier views and a little bit more privacy between the spaces.
GuideNice spot in the mountains with some trees. We have done a family reunion here a few times. The ponds are decent with some ok fish. Most anyone could catch some fish at them. A lot of roads and trails to go riding OHV's. Saw a moose one year.
ScoutWhat a great place to stay for the cheap price of $29 per night for full hookups. The roads getting in are great and had no issue at all. RV site all gravel and subject to a few puddles, but all in all for the price and amenities, it’s a great place.
TravelerWe loved camping here. The rock formations are stunning. Some of the sites are relatively private, while others are more exposed. Flushing toilets, running water. Very kind camp host. We rolled in during a thunderstorm which was epic. Will definitely be back (if we can snag a spot again, they fill up quickly!)
ScoutLarge clean park with new improvements. Only drawback might be the payment kiosk was a bit confusing and the layout of the big RV area was a bit ambiguous.
Utah offers stunning landscapes and diverse terrains, making it an ideal destination for horse camping enthusiasts. With numerous campgrounds catering to equestrian needs, adventurers can explore the great outdoors alongside their equine companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special permits for camping with horses in Utah?
For most designated equestrian campgrounds in Utah, no special horse permits are required beyond standard camping fees, though you'll need to follow specific regulations for each area. At Coyote Hollow Equestrian Campground, you don't need a special permit, and interestingly, you don't even need to have horses to camp there. For backcountry or BLM areas like Toquerville Falls Primitive, standard BLM regulations apply. However, always check with the specific land management agency (Forest Service, BLM, or State Parks) before your trip, as some areas may require weed-free hay/feed certificates, have seasonal restrictions, or limit the number of stock animals per site.
Where are the best horse camping areas in Utah?
Utah offers excellent horse camping destinations across its diverse landscapes. Uinta National Forest Blackhawk Campground features dedicated equestrian sites with good views, pavilions, and fire pits at higher elevations. Timpooneke is another excellent option with a dedicated area that includes horse corrals, nestled among pine trees with views of Mount Timpanogos and just a short drive from urban areas. Other notable horse-friendly camping areas include the Manti-LaSal National Forest with its scenic mountain terrain, and dispersed camping options in the Dixie National Forest. Many of these locations connect to extensive trail systems perfect for day rides or longer pack trips.
What amenities should I expect at horse-friendly campgrounds in Utah?
Horse-friendly campgrounds in Utah vary in amenities, but most offer the basics needed for equestrian camping. Courthouse Rock provides paddocks for horses along with rustic toilet facilities and trash bins in an unstructured camping area. At Manti-LaSal National Forest Potters Pond Campground, you can expect a tranquil setting with abundant trees providing natural shelter. Most equestrian campgrounds feature larger, pull-through sites to accommodate horse trailers, corrals or hitching posts, and access to livestock water (though not always potable for humans). Basic amenities typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Higher-end facilities might offer electric hookups, potable water, and shower facilities, but these are less common at horse-specific campgrounds.
When is the best season for horseback camping in Utah?
The ideal season for horseback camping in Utah is late spring through early fall (May-September), though this varies by elevation and location. Lower elevation areas like Soldier's Pass Utah Backcountry near Utah Lake can be accessible earlier in spring and later in fall, but summer heat can be intense. For higher elevation destinations like Payson Lakes, the prime season is shorter (June-August) due to snow and cooler temperatures. Fall offers spectacular colors and cooler temperatures, especially in mountain regions, while summer provides the most reliable access to alpine areas. Always check road conditions before heading out, as spring can bring muddy conditions and fall can bring early snow at higher elevations.
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