How much does camping cost at Barker Recreation Area?

Camping fees at Barker Recreation Area range from $18-$75/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Barker Recreation Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Barker Recreation Area accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Barker Recreation Area before I book?

Yes! Barker Recreation Area has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Barker Recreation Area?

Barker Recreation Area is open May 22 to August 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Barker Recreation Area?

Barker Recreation Area does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Barker Recreation Area have?

Barker Recreation Area has 16 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Barker Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Barker Recreation Area. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Barker Recreation Area?

Barker Recreation Area offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Barker Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Barker Recreation Area include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Barker Recreation Area

4.35

26 reviews

PO BOX 246, ESCALANTE, UT 84726, USA

Top 18% in UTSummer

Summer Destination

Featured in:Summer Camping Utah Group Camping Utah

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

9,300 ft

Price

$18 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Open May 23 to Augus...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Dixie National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

9,300 ft

Price

$18 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Open May 23 to Augus...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Dixie National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Barker Recreation Area

$18.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUPS PORTER+ GATES: $75.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $18.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$140.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

435-826-5499Help.Dixie.Escalante@AmericanLL.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Barker Recreation Area

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Campground Map

PO BOX 246, ESCALANTE, UT 84726, USA

Barker Recreation Area

PO BOX 246, ESCALANTE, UT 84726, USA

Nearby places

Escalante - 2.5 miles west on Highway 12 (approximately 45 minutes by road). Nearby attractions include Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Anasazi State Park.

Weather at Barker Recreation Area

Best Time to Camp at Barker Recreation Area

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliably warm days, open access, and peak recreation — expect daytime highs around 60–80°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s at 9,300 ft. Trails are dry and wildflowers and aspen/leaves are vibrant, while lake levels and stream flows make boating and fishing excellent; wildlife is also more visible in early morning and evening. The campground is small and intimate (13 sites), so you’ll get solitude even in peak months, but expect reservations to fill and brief Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: September, October, November, December

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 18% in UT

Peak season May 23–Aug 31; best access, potable water available, comfortable 60–80°F days.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to August 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 23 to August 31. Out-of-season bookings are unavailable.

About Barker Recreation Area

Barker Recreation Area sits at 9,300 feet in Dixie National Forest near Escalante, offering high-elevation alpine camping with access to fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Operated by the Forest Service, this small campground provides tent, RV, primitive, and group sites with vault toilets, potable water, and bear-proof lockers. Summer brings warm days and crisp nights, with dry trails and vibrant wildflowers drawing hikers and bikers to the surrounding forest.

Barker Recreation Area offers single-family and group campsites within its remote, forested setting. Primitive camping options are available at lakeside backcountry sites but are not explicitly part of the main campground layout.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliably warm days, open access, and peak recreation — expect daytime highs around 60–80°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s at 9,300 ft. Trails are dry and wildflowers and aspen/leaves are vibrant, while lake levels and stream flows make boating and fishing excellent; wildlife is also more visible in early morning and evening. The campground is small and intimate (13 sites), so you’ll get solitude even in peak months, but expect reservations to fill and brief Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: September, October, November, December

Elevation9300 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a subalpine zone where aspens and spruce dominate the canopy. Summer brings wildflowers to the forest floor and meadows. Wildlife sightings include black bears (hence the required bear lockers), blue grouse, golden eagles, wild turkeys, and ducks on nearby waters. Some sites offer more shade than others depending on tree cover and positioning. At this elevation, the air is noticeably cooler than the red rock country below.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground primarily offers single-family and group campsites, with no mention of hotel-style lodging.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights. Maximum total stay within 30 days is 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Standard sites accommodate single families. Group sites can hold up to 50 or more guests.

Groups

Group sites, such as the Porter group site, accommodate horses. Rates differ based on the number of occupants, with pricing tiers for groups of 1-50 people ($80.00 per night) and 51-max people ($140.00 per night).

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov online, its mobile app, or contact center.

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and bear-proof food storage lockers are provided. However, accessibility features beyond these are not detailed.

Site SizeThe campground contains 13 single-family sites and three group campsites. Users have noted that some sites offer more shade than others.

PrivacySome sites provide better privacy due to shading and positioning, but specifics are not broadly detailed.

Total Campsites16 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose shaded campsites such as 008 for a cooler experience. Group site Old Lady Young offers space and shade.

Best CampsitesSites 005, 008, 001, and group site Old Lady Young earned praise in reviews for views, cleanliness, and shade. Site-specific shade varies across the campground, so it's worth checking configurations when booking.

Need help booking Barker Recreation Area?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Barker Recreation Area offers several essential amenities suitable for campers. Key features include accessible vault toilets, bear-proof food storage lockers, and drinking water available seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Roads and parking spurs are gravel, with fishing docks provided at Upper and Lower Barker Reservoirs. Accessible vault toilets are a significant plus as mentioned in both authoritative content and user reviews. Some campers noted issues with trash containers and toilet paper availability, pointing out gaps in servicing. There are no hookups available for RVs or trailers, and motorized boats are prohibited on nearby lakes.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The area offers diverse recreational opportunities, including fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Numerous trails connect to backcountry lakes with spectacular views. The Great Western Trail is prominent in the area, leading to nine fishing lakes surrounded by dense spruce and aspen forests.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available according to the authoritative materials, which list vault toilets as the primary sanitation facility.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food storage lockers are available to ensure safety in black bear habitats.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

26 reviews

Recommended

Barker Recreation Area is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User sentiment is generally positive, with an average campground-specific rating of 4.22 out of 5. Reviews highlight the area's natural beauty, excellent fishing, clean facilities, and quiet atmosphere. Criticisms focus primarily on the challenging road conditions and inconsistent servicing of amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 26 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 26 reviews.

Site 005Loved
Site 005: Enjoyed for quiet atmosphere and proximity to hiking areas..
Site 006Loved
Site 006: Praised for cleanliness but noted lack of water availability..
Site 008Loved
Site 008: Appreciated for cleanliness and bathroom proximity.
Site 001Mentioned
Site 001: Highly rated for access to fishing spots and relaxation..

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include the beautiful setting, fishing opportunities, clean campgrounds, and well-maintained bear-proof lockers. The cool alpine air and shaded sites are frequently mentioned as...

Based on 26 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include poor road conditions ('The road in was absolutely atrocious,' '16 miles of dirt road'), lack of trash collection, and occasional shortages of toilet paper.

Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing fishing gear, preparing for a challenging drive, and being self-sufficient in terms of amenities like trash disposal and toilet paper. Carrying water is also suggested for...

Based on 26 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate peak usage during summer months, correlating with the availability of drinking water and pleasant weather conditions. Visitors during off-season periods report less crowded campsites...

Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Wonderful subalpine mountain retreat for a short hike. Beautiful little lakes (reservoirs, actually), romantic meadows, streams, anything you could wish for.' - Hubert Schwarthoff - 'Great...

Based on 26 reviews