Barker Recreation Area

Show on map 435-826-5499 help.dixie.escalante@americanll.com

PO BOX 246
ESCALANTE, UT 84726

Overview

Barker Recreation Area is located high on the Colorado Plateau at an elevation of 9,300 feet. Visitors enjoy canoeing, fishing and exploring local trails.

Recreation

Upper Barker Reservoir provides canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow and brook trout. Numerous hiking, biking and horse trails can be accessed from both the Upper and Lower Barker Reservoir trailheads. Trails, including the non-motorized Great Western Trail, lead to nine backcountry fishing lakes and beautiful mountain views. The area also has excellent stream fishing and spectacular fall colors.

Facilities

This recreation area contains 13 single-family sites, three group campsites and a day-use area. Horses are permitted in the Porter group site.

Drinking water is provided from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Amenities include accessible vault toilets and bear-proof food storage lockers. Fishing docks are located at Upper and Lower Barker Reservoirs. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.

Natural Features

A dense canopy of aspen and spruce trees forests Barker Recreation Area. Summer wildflowers are plentiful and a variety of wildlife frequents the area, including black bear, blue grouse, golden eagle, ducks and wild turkey.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.

Nearby Attractions

Both the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Escalante Petrified Forest State Park are located approximately 45 minutes away. Sightseeing along Utah Highway 12, a National Scenic Byway, is very popular. Travelers visit from every corner of the world to see the stunning red rock canyons and desert landscapes.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park and Anasazi State Park are also located in the area.

Camp site features

Across 16 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 16 sites
Picnic table: 14 of 16 sites
Pets allowed: all 16 sites
ADA accessible: 14 of 16 sites
Group sites: 3 of 16 sites
Longest RV: 35 ft
Largest party: 100 people
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From Escalante, Utah, drive 2.5 miles west on Highway 12, then turn right at the North Creek Lakes sign and right again at the Barker Recreation Area sign, onto Forest Road 149. Drive approximately 16 miles on FR 149. The last 3.4 miles of FR 149 are steep and single-lane with switchbacks and turnouts.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

26 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Henry M

Loop:Group

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

This was a beautiful place to camp. We had 17 people and had plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the area. The lakes were great and the fishing was good. Will definitely return.

Samantha E

Loop:Group

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Such a beautiful campground. Lots of trails near by and just listening to the birds and breeze through the trees was magical. Plus got to see some deer.

Edwin H

Loop:Barker Recreation Area

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Barker Recreation Area is one of our go-to camping spots. Love it up there!

Richard S

Loop:Barker Recreation Area

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Between the Loud church campers and the drunks till late in the night we left after 3 nights i was over it nice clean camp ground but not worth the noose and bad sleep

Audrey W

Loop:Barker Recreation Area

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Great campground. It would be helpful if the visitor center and rangers were connected. It was hard to find out information about FR149 until we luckily ran into a ranger outside the center who was off duty but had very recently driven the road. The campground is lovely and well kept.

Carl S

Loop:Barker Recreation Area

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Great campground and very peaceful.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve