BARKER RECREATION AREA
USFS · Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- Fee charged
- Managed by
- USFS
- Type
- Campground
- Hours
- Open 24 hours/day, Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m., no generators during that time, open late spring to late fall. Check in: 2:00 p.m.; Check-out: 11:00 a.m.
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Phone
- 435-826-5499
- Coordinates
- 37.9206, -111.8153
- Last verified
- September 19, 2026
About this place
Overview 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. Recreation Upper Barker Reservoir provides canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow and brook trout. Numerous hiking, biking and horse trails can be accessed from both the Upper and Lower Barker Reservoir trailheads. Trails, including the non-motorized Great Western Trail, lead to nine backcountry fishing lakes and beautiful mountain views. The area also has excellent stream fishing and spectacular fall colors. Facilities This recreation area contains 13 single-family sites, three group campsites and a day-use area. Horses are permitted in the Porter group site. Drinking water is provided from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Amenities include accessible vault toilets and bear-proof food storage lockers. Fishing docks are located at Upper and Lower Barker Reservoirs. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. Natural Features A dense canopy of aspen and spruce trees forests Barker Recreation Area. Summer wildflowers are plentiful and a variety of wildlife frequents the area, including black bear, blue grouse, golden eagle, ducks and wild turkey. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564. Nearby Attractions Both the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Escalante Petrified Forest State Park are located approximately 45 minutes away. Sightseeing along Utah Highway 12, a National Scenic Byway, is very popular. Travelers visit from every corner of the world to see the stunning red rock canyons and desert landscapes. Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park and Anasazi State Park are also located in the area.
From the USFS.Official page
Is BARKER RECREATION AREA free?
No. BARKER RECREATION AREA charges a fee. It is managed by the USFS. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
How do I get to BARKER RECREATION AREA?
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 on FR 149 for 16.5 miles to the campground.
What are the rules at BARKER RECREATION AREA?
Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.Campfires in developed fire pits onlyFireworks are prohibitedDogs must be on leashATV and OHV are allowed to ingress and egressall group sites and campsites 1 and 13. Street Legal OHVs are allowed throughout the campg This recreation area contains 13 single-family sites, three group campsites and a day-use area. Horses are permitted in the Porter group site. Drinking water is provided from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fishing docks are located at Upper and Lower Barker Reservoirs. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
Nearby
- Posey Lake Campground6.7 mi
- POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND6.8 mi
- Blue Spruce Campground9.6 mi
- COWPUNCHER GUARD STATION10.1 mi
- Antimony Creek Camping Area13.4 mi
- PINE LAKE CAMPGROUND14.2 mi
- JONES CORRAL GUARD STATION21.9 mi
- AQUARIUS RANGER STATION23.0 mi
No other services within 50 mi on the record.
SourceData from the USFS. Last synced September 19, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
