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Ponderosa Picnic Area in Utah
Hard to BookNational Forest

Ponderosa Picnic Area

Fishlake National Forest, Utah

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As of October 2026, Ponderosa Picnic Area is a campground in Fishlake National Forest, Utah with 2 campsites. Ponderosa Picnic Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Ponderosa Picnic Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Ponderosa Picnic Area is located at 38.2589° N, 112.5014° W.
people allowed on 1 of 2 sites
80
people allowed on the largest site
120

Ponderosa Picnic Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Campsites at Ponderosa Picnic Area

  • Group 2
  • Accessible 2
  • Hookups 2

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, photography, horse riding.

All sites at Ponderosa Picnic Area, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleepsHookupsAccess
001EASTGroup120ElectricAccessible
002WESTGroup80ElectricAccessible

About Ponderosa Picnic Area

Overview

Ponderosa Picnic Area is located along the Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway. It is next to the Beaver River, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Visitors enjoy fishing and relaxing along the river.

Recreation

The Beaver River offers great rainbow and brook trout fishing. Hiking and biking trails begin a short drive east. Horseshoe pits and a volleyball court are available, but picnickers must bring their own equipment (horseshoes, net and a ball).

Facilities

The picnic area is a day-use site for large groups, making it a perfect place for family reunions and church outings. Site 1, called East, can accommodate up to 120 people, while site 2, called West, can accommodate up to 80 people. Reservations can be made for either individual sites or the whole area at once.

Each site contains tables, grills, campfire circles, electric lights. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. An amphitheater with bench seating is also located on-site.

Natural Features

Towering ponderosa pines, cottonwoods, aspens and maples provide partial shade in the grassy, gently sloping picnicking site. Between the trees are scenic views of the canyon.

Nearby Attractions

Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway curves past the picnic area, offering 17 miles of scenic driving through the beautiful Tushar Mountains. Numerous lakes and streams throughout the area provide fishing, boating and canoeing opportunities.

Rules and notices at Ponderosa Picnic Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Ponderosa Picnic Area on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Day use/ picnic fee is $10.00 per vehicle, which is payable at the site. No reservation needed.

This is a ‘pack it in-pack it out’ facility. No garbage services are available. Please bring your own garbage bags.

Click here for more information on the Fishlake National Forest

Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Discharging a firearm of any kind is prohibited : this includes BB guns, slingshots, paintball guns etc. Take these activities outside of the picnic area please.

Ponderosa Picnic Area FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Ponderosa Picnic Area?

Ponderosa Picnic Area is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Ponderosa Picnic Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at Ponderosa Picnic Area, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Ponderosa Picnic Area have?

Ponderosa Picnic Area has 2 campsites.

More campgrounds in Fishlake National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 28 Fishlake National Forest campgrounds

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