Mackinaw

138 South Main, PO BOX 129
Loa, Utah, UT 84747

Overview

Mackinaw Campground is located next to Fish Lake and the Fishlake Scenic Byway in central Utah at an elevation of 9,000 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring local trails.

Recreation

Fish Lake is Utah's largest natural mountain lake, covering 2,500 acres. It is famous for its 20-40 pound Mackinaw lake trout. Anglers also enjoy fishing for rainbow trout and splake. Boating, canoeing, swimming and scuba diving are popular activities.

The 5-mile Pelican Canyon Trail begins next door at Bowery Creek Campground. It leads through meadows and dense forests of spruce, pine and aspen as it climbs to the 11,633-foot Fish Lake Hightop.

The popular Lakeshore National Recreation Trail extends around the eastern side of the lake. Hikers are rewarded with stunning lake views after climbing 900 feet in elevation.

Facilities

The campground contains four group sites that can accommodate up to 20 people each. Picnic tables and fire rings with grills are provided. Several single-family sites are available as well. Most sites have lake views.

Flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved.

Three resorts are located in the Fish Lake Basin, offering camping and fishing supplies, RV parks with hookups, cabin and boat rentals, marinas, gas, restaurants, groceries, laundry facilities and showers. The resorts are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Natural Features

The campground sits on a sagebrush-covered hillside above the valley floor and offers views of Fish Lake. Aspen trees forest the site, providing partial shade.

Nearby Attractions

Johnson Valley Reservoir is just north of Fish Lake, offering additional fishing and boating opportunities.

Camp site features

Across 67 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 67 sites
Picnic table: all 67 sites
ADA accessible: 2 of 67 sites
Group sites: 9 of 67 sites
Longest RV: 125 ft
Largest party: 20 people

Directions

From Highway 24 northwest of Loa, Utah, take Highway 25 northeast 9 miles to the campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

89 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Levi G

Loop:Sing

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Camp host was great

Robert B

Loop:Sing

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

This campground is a destination for us at least once each summer since we are kayakers. The water is good and accessable. Campground host is very friendly and helpful. Sorry but glad to hear that the campground will be closed for much needed rehabilitation in 2025, just glad it was open this year. We'll have to be on the ball to get a site at one of the other campgrounds at Fishlake for next year.

Ed K

Loop:Sing

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

I stayed at the accessible site #13. There were no level places for the tent.

Linda S

Loop:Sing

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

We love the Mackinaw campground just as it is. We have been coming here for over 50 years for our family reunion and take up most of the campground. The rustic feel among the heavily wooded trees, makes it so we don’t feel on top of one another, and brings us closer to nature. We hear you’re going to be making upgrades and are concerned about it, drawing in more crowds that would deter from the beauty and peace that we feel there. Please don’t cut down the trees like at Doctor Creek. We visited with others in the campground during our 10 day stay and others feel the same way.

Andy S

Loop:Double

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Karen was an excellent camp host. She made us feel welcome and was so accommodating to help us find camp sites that would accommodate our family. We had a wonderful time. We look forward to staying again.

Ryan B

Loop:Sing

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Fantastic Campground

Availability

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

Reserve