State: Utah
Open: Seasonal
Number of Sites: 18
Elevation: 9554
County: Garfield
Free: No
Reservations: Yes - Check Recreation.gov for information
About: Barker Recreation Area is located less than 20 miles from Escalante, Utah in an aspen and spruce forest at an elevation of 9,300 feet. Summer wildflowers are plentiful and wildlife frequents the area. Upper and Lower Barker Reservoirs provide great canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for rainbow and brook trout. Numerous hiking, biking, horse, and ATV trails crisscross the area, including the Great Western Trail, leading to sparkling backcountry lakes and beautiful mountain views.
This campground provides single-family sites, equestrian sites, four group sites, and a day-use area. The group sites (Old Lady Young – capacity 100, Porter Equestrian – capacity 35, Gates – capacity 35, and Site D – capacity 40) contain picnic tables, fire rings, Dutch oven cooking surfaces, BBQ grills, and bear-proof food storage containers. Single sites contain picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and bear boxes. Porter Equestrian site has a horse corral. Vault toilets, potable water, and garbage service are provided, but there are no hookups of any kind. Drinking water spigots are available within 100 feet of every campsite. A campground host is on site. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. The day-use area is adjacent to Upper Barker Reservoir.
The Escalante area of Southern Utah offers breathtaking scenery nearly everywhere you look. Sightseeing along Utah Highway 12, a National Scenic Byway, is very popular. Travelers visit from every corner of the world to gaze upon stunning red rock canyons and desert landscapes. Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Anasazi State Park, and Capitol Reef National Park are all located in the area.
Fees: S$10 for single sites (2011)
Usage: Medium
Water: Yes
Restrooms: Vault Toilets
Closest Town: Escalante, Utah
Restrictions Un-liscensed OHV’s may not be operated within the campground. They must be trailered in and out.
Directions: From Escalante drive west on Hwy 12. Turn right on the dirt road between milepost 55 and 56 and cross the Escalante River. After a short distance, make a right on the road signed Barker CG. This is forest road 149 (FR 149). Continue of FR 149 for 16.5 miles to the campground.