Barker Recreation Area
Dixie National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: ESCALANTE, UT, UT
Price: From $18 per night
Price range: $18–$75 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (20 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
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. Upper Barker Reservoir provides canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow and brook trout.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/barker-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Barker Recreation Area sits at 9,300 feet on the Colorado Plateau with direct access to Upper Barker Reservoir for canoeing and fishing, plus numerous hiking and biking trails including the non-motorized Great Western Trail leading to nine backcountry fishing lakes.
Wildlife alert: Barred Tiger Salamanders present in the area; also expect Dusky Grouse, Mountain Chickadee, and American Red Squirrel sightings.
Insider tips for Barker Recreation Area: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 16 sites and high demand The last 3.4 miles to the campground are steep, single-lane with switchbacks; ensure your RV can handle this terrain before arriving Bring a canoe or kayak for Upper Barker Reservoir fishing; rainbow and brook trout are documented there
Skip Barker Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only self-contained RVs suitable. You're arriving outside Memorial Day to Labor Day — the campground is closed seasonally. You have a large or non-high-clearance RV — the access road (last 3.4 miles) has steep switchbacks and turnarounds.
Best time to visit Barker Recreation Area: Memorial Day - Labor Day — Campground operates seasonally during this window only per verified operations schedule.
Nearby campgrounds: Posey Lake Campground (Antimony, UT), Cowpuncher Guard Station (ESCALANTE, UT), Pine Lake Campground (CEDAR CITY, UT), Jones Corral Guard Station (PANGUITCH, UT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Barker Recreation Area
Cell signal at Barker Recreation Area (ESCALANTE, UT): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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. Upper Barker Reservoir provides canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow and brook trout.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 16 sites and high demand
The last 3.4 miles to the campground are steep, single-lane with switchbacks; ensure your RV can handle this terrain before arriving
Bring a canoe or kayak for Upper Barker Reservoir fishing; rainbow and brook trout are documented there
Campground operates seasonally during this window only per verified operations schedule
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Dixie National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Dixie National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Barker Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Barker Recreation Area open?+
Does Barker Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Barker Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Barker Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Barker Recreation Area?+
What season is Barker Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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