Panguitch Lake North
Dixie
Utah
Date filmed:2024-07-27
Number of sites:49
GPS:37.7023582, -112.6568605
Max vehicle length:40 Feet
Check in:2:00 pm
Check out:11:00 am
Quiet hours:10:00 pm - 6:00 am

Amenities and Activities

Amenities
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Picnic Table
RVs
Tents
Accessible Sites
General Store
Flushing Toilets
Trash Collection
Tent Pads
Shade
Lake Access
Dump Station
Water Spigot
Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Biking
Scenic Driving
Star Gazing
Boating
Amphitheater
Off-Roading
Wildlife Viewing
Photography

Things to Do

Take a scenic ride from Panguitch, Utah to Kodachrome Basin State Park, stopping at Red Canyon, showcasing vibrant red rock landscapes and Mossy Cave, with its Bryce Canyon-like formations and beautiful waterfall. Embark on a relaxed drive from Panguitch, Utah, to Kodachrome Basin State Park, a route filled with striking landscapes and fascinating stops. As you head out from the charming town of Panguitch, your first stop could be the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Nestled along Highway 12, this area offers vibrant red rock formations that preview the dramatic scenery of Southern Utah. Stroll through its easy trails or simply admire the towering hoodoos and cliffs that glow in the sunlight. Continuing your journey, stop by Mossy Cave, a hidden gem that feels like a piece of Bryce Canyon. Here, you’ll find a unique blend of towering red rock spires, a small cave, and a scenic waterfall. Though not lush like its name suggests, the area provides an opportunity for a short, rewarding hike with Bryce-like views and the refreshing sight and sound of flowing water in a desert landscape. The drive then winds through more of Utah's scenic beauty before you arrive at Kodachrome Basin State Park. Known for its colorful, layered rock formations, Kodachrome Basin feels like stepping into a natural painting. The park is perfect for hiking, photography, or simply soaking in the vibrant surroundings. Whether you're spending the day exploring or just passing through, this laid-back drive offers a taste of Southern Utah's natural wonders.

Epic Views from 10,000 Feet

Exploring Cedar Breaks National Monument

Featured: Cedar Canyon, Deer Haven, Duck Creek, Navajo Lake, Panguitch Lake North, Panguitch Lake South, Point Supreme, Spruces, Te-Ah, White Bridge

Cedar Breaks National Monument's vibrant cliffs and hoodoos, carved by erosion, form a breathtaking amphitheater. Overlooks like Point Supreme offer panoramic views of its colorful beauty, framed by subalpine forests and dramatic sunsets. Cedar Breaks National Monument is a stunning natural amphitheater located in southern Utah, perched at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Its vibrant, multicolored cliffs showcase layers of limestone, shale, and sandstone eroded by wind and water over millions of years, creating a breathtaking landscape of spires, fins, and hoodoos. The amphitheater, about three miles wide and over 2,000 feet deep, provides a visual spectacle reminiscent of Bryce Canyon, but with its own unique high-altitude charm. The area is known for its subalpine forest, offering a cool retreat in the summer and vibrant wildflower meadows, with delicate blooms that peak in mid-July. Several overlooks around Cedar Breaks offer spectacular views into the amphitheater and beyond. Point Supreme, the highest overlook at over 10,350 feet, provides a panoramic view of the colorful cliffs and valleys below. Sunset View Overlook is aptly named for its dazzling sunsets that illuminate the red and orange hues of the canyon walls. Chessman Ridge Overlook offers a striking view of Cedar Breaks' natural amphitheater, framed by dark green Engelmann spruce and subalpine firs. From any of these overlooks, visitors can appreciate the grandeur of the landscape, which shifts dramatically with changes in light and weather.

Checking out Spectra Point Overlook

A Hiking Adventure in Cedar Breaks

Featured: Cedar Canyon, Deer Haven, Duck Creek, Navajo Lake, Panguitch Lake North, Point Supreme, Spruces, Te-Ah, White Bridge

With meadows, bristlecone pine trees, and a half-mile-deep amphitheater of striped limestone, Cedar Breaks National Monument is a high-elevation Bryce Canyon look-alike. Comprised of the same geological layer but with a fraction of the crowds, this is a must-see park. Located northeast of Zion National Park and due east of Bryan Canyon National Park sits Cedar Breaks National Monument, a park with astonishing beauty of its own and a fraction of the crowds found at Utah’s larger and more well-known national parks. Taking in the views here couldn’t be easier. With plentiful parking and a short distance uphill, one can witness the splendor of the park. From here, the South Rim Trail is a 5-mile out and back trail with various stops along the way including Spectra Point Viewpoint and Ramparts Viewpoint. Spectra Point. These overlooks provide plenty of photographic opportunities down into the half-mile deep and three-mile wide amphitheater. Hiking to Spectra Point Viewpoint is a moderately rated 2-mile round trip hike whereas the hike to Ramparts Viewpoint and back is 4 miles. Also along the way is a historical stop not to be missed. This small unassuming wooden cabin once served as a generator room that supplied power to what was once the Cedar Breaks Lodge. The lodge was built in 1924 and served dinner for tourists making rounds via bus to many of the area parks such as Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim. The cabin is all that remains from the lodge today. In addition to hiking trails, the park is well known for a meadow filled with wildflowers in the spring, fall color in autumn, and snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the winter. While the park is opened year-round, some roads into the park and within around the rim are closed to visitors.

Exploring Escalante Petrified Forest

A Lesser Known Utah Destination

Featured: Escalante Petrified Forest, Kodachrome Basin, Panguitch Lake North

Discover the thrill of Escalante Petrified Forest State Park! Unveil ancient fossils, vibrant petrified wood, and stunning landscapes. Dive into campground adventures with hiking and mesmerizing geology. Watch now for an unforgettable journey! Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Utah is a captivating destination known for its vibrant petrified wood and breathtaking scenery. Nestled near the town of Escalante, the park features a stunning array of ancient fossils, colorful mineral deposits, and striking geological formations. Visitors can explore the Petrified Forest Trail, a loop that winds through a landscape dotted with petrified wood dating back millions of years. The park also boasts the serene Wide Hollow Reservoir, perfect for fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The park's campground offers a memorable stay amid nature's splendor. With 52 campsites, including RV hookups, tent spaces, and even a group site, the campground provides ample facilities for a comfortable visit. Each site is equipped with picnic tables, fire pits, and access to clean restrooms and showers. The campground's prime location allows easy access to hiking trails, the reservoir, and a visitor center where guests can learn more about the park's rich history and geology. Whether you're seeking adventure or tranquility, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park's campground is an ideal base for your outdoor explorations.

Sunset Campground In Bryce Canyon

An On Foot Tour and Review

Featured: North, Panguitch Lake North, Sunset, Te-Ah

Sunset Campground at Bryce Canyon National Park offers a serene setting with easy access to breathtaking views of the canyon's unique rock formations. Enjoy stunning sunsets, starry nights, and nearby hiking trails for unforgettable adventures. Sunset Campground at Bryce Canyon National Park is an ideal spot for campers looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying modern conveniences. Located near the park's famous amphitheater, the campground provides easy access to stunning viewpoints and hiking trails. Amenities include restrooms with flush toilets, showers, potable water, and a dump station for RVs. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring, making it easy to enjoy meals and campfires under the stars. The campground is divided into three loops, with a mix of tent and RV sites, though it does not offer hookups. Reservations are recommended during peak season, as the campground is popular with visitors. Sunset Campground's location allows for quick access to some of Bryce Canyon's most iconic sights, such as Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. The nearby General Store offers supplies, groceries, and souvenirs, ensuring campers have everything they need for a comfortable stay.

Campground Overview

Panguitch Lake North Campground – Dixie National Forest, Utah

Panguitch Lake North Campground is a developed, reservable campground located along the northern shoreline of Panguitch Lake in the Dixie National Forest. Set at high elevation and surrounded by spruce, fir, and open meadows, this campground offers a cool, scenic mountain escape with direct access to one of southern Utah’s most popular fishing lakes. Panguitch Lake North is the larger and more developed of the two Panguitch Lake campgrounds and is ideal for visitors who prefer guaranteed reservations and easy lake access.

Location & Setting

The campground sits at approximately 8,200 feet in elevation along Scenic Byway 143, roughly midway between Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. Panguitch Lake itself occupies a broad, grassy basin surrounded by forested hills, creating wide-open views and cooler summer temperatures. Afternoon breezes off the lake and dark night skies add to the campground’s high-country appeal.

Campground Overview

Panguitch Lake North Campground contains approximately 49 campsites arranged in organized loops near the water. Sites accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, with several sites suitable for mid-sized rigs. Because this is the reservable campground at Panguitch Lake, it tends to fill quickly during summer weekends and peak fishing season. Campers looking for first-come, first-served camping should note that Panguitch Lake South is a separate campground located across the road.

Amenities

Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Potable drinking water is typically available during the main camping season. There are no electrical hookups or showers, so campers should plan accordingly. A boat ramp and day-use areas are nearby, making it easy to launch small boats, kayaks, or canoes directly onto Panguitch Lake. Fire restrictions may apply during dry conditions.

Activities & Recreation

Panguitch Lake is well known for fishing, particularly for rainbow and cutthroat trout, and the lake is popular with both shore anglers and small watercraft. Additional activities include kayaking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, and hiking in the surrounding Dixie National Forest. The campground’s location also makes it a convenient base for visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, Red Canyon, and Cedar Breaks, all within a short drive.

Summary

Panguitch Lake North Campground offers reservable, well-organized camping in a scenic high-elevation setting with direct access to Panguitch Lake. With reliable amenities, strong fishing opportunities, and proximity to major southern Utah attractions, it’s an excellent choice for campers who want a comfortable, lake-focused experience in the Dixie National Forest. For visitors specifically seeking the reservable Panguitch Lake campground, the North Campground is the correct and preferred option.

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