Panguitch Lake
Panguitch Lake Campground is located 14 miles southwest of Panguitch, Utah. Some of the state's largest rainbow trout are fished from the lake each year, and aptly so; "Panguitch" comes from the Paiute word meaning "big fish." Visitors also enjoy canoeing and exploring the Panguitch Lake OHV Trail System.
Some sites take reservations. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Utah · reservable in Utah · big rigs in Utah · group sites in Utah
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 46 |
| Tent-only | 18 |
| Group sites | 3 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
67 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Springs | BLUE | Group | Pull-through | 20 | Gravel | 35 / 6 | Yes | |
| Evergreen | EVER | Group | Back-in | 20 | Paved | 35 / 6 | Yes | |
| 001 | NORT | Tent only | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 002 | NORT | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | NORT | Standard | Pull-through | 30 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | NORT | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | NORT | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | NORT | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | NORT | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | NORT | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground is located on both the north side and the south side of the highway. The Panguitch lake north is the larger of the two, with single and double campsites and three group sites. The south side is strictly for tent camping (no reservations). Amenities include flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hook-ups available so please fill your tanks at the dump station just east of the campground prior to setting up. A horseshoe pit and a volleyball court are on-site, though campers must provide their own net and ball. An amphitheater near the Panguitch group site is available upon request. The campground road and parking spurs are paved. Accessible sites area available on the north side of the campground. No OHV access in or out of the campground including street legal, all OHV's must be trailered.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | Late May to Early September |
| Forest | Dixie National Forest |
| Fees | See campground information board for pricing. |
| Rules | Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Campfires in developed fire pits only. Fireworks are prohibited. Dogs must be on leash. OHV/ATV use prohibited in the campground. Maximum length of stay: 14 days. *ATVs cannot be trailered into the campground |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Panguitch, Utah, take Highway 143 southwest 14 miles. Campground is on the north side of the highway.
| Nearest town | Cedar City, Utah |
| Coordinates | 37.7025° N, 112.6561° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedLake Piles Rx
13 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 22.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Gander RV ↗ | 51.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Panguitch Lake North Campground Tour | Panguitch, Utah | Dixie National Forest | Site by S
Trails nearby
- 1.2 miBunker Creek ↗7.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miMud Springs ATV Trail ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.2 miBirch Spring-Pass Creek Loop ↗19.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.5 miRock Canyon4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.5 miBirch Spring Knoll ↗4.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.8 miHaycock Mountain ↗8.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Dixie National Forest.
- inDixie National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,711,285 acres
- 11.2 miAshdown Gorge Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 7,085 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Visitor CenterBuilding · Cedar City · 11.5 mi
- Caretaker's CabinBuilding · Cedar City · 11.6 mi
- William and Julia Lyman HouseBuilding · Parowan · 13.3 mi
Natural features
The lake is situated high on the Colorado Plateau at an elevation of 8,400 feet. A forest of ponderosa pines covers the campground, which lies on a hillside about a quarter-mile above the lake. Deer and elk are often seen in the area.
Recreation
Panguitch Lake offers great fishing for rainbow, brook, cutthroat and brown trout. Canoeing and kyacking are a popular activity. Two public boat ramps are located on the lake, one on the south shore and the other on the north shore at Wildlife Point. The Markagunt OHV trail system at Panguitch Lake offers 300 miles of routes and trails. Other activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding and hunting.
Nearby
Panguitch Lake has two public boat landings and is less than 5 minutes from the campground. Great fishing from both a boat and the shore or just hanging out on the beach is enjoyed by many! Panguitch Lake Campground is just 14 miles from Cedar Breaks National Monument, with hiking trails, guided tours, wildflower walks, star gazing and awesome views of the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater. Just outside Cedar Breaks is the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area, where hikers will find 10 miles of trails and the Twisted Forest, a stand of ancient bristlecone pine. Bryce Canyon National Park is 30 minutes away, with breathtaking scenery and excellent hiking and horse ridng opportunities.
Guidebooks for Utah
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Panguitch Lake?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Panguitch Lake?
See campground information board for pricing.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Panguitch Lake?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Panguitch Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Late May to Early September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Panguitch Lake have?
71 sites, including 46 standard sites without power, 18 tent-only sites, and 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Panguitch Lake?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Panguitch Lake?
Amenities include flush toilets and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Panguitch Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Quiet hours between 10 p.m.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Panguitch Lake?
Panguitch Lake offers great fishing for rainbow, brook, cutthroat and brown trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Panguitch Lake?
Cedar City, Utah. Panguitch Lake has two public boat landings and is less than 5 minutes from the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Panguitch Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are White Bridge (4.9 mi), Yankee Meadow Campground (6.9 mi), and Point Supreme Campground (11.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby