About POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND
Overview Posey Lake Campground is located next to its beautiful namesake lake high on the Colorado Plateau at an elevation of 8,800 feet. Visitors enjoy canoeing, fishing and exploring local trails.Recreation Posey Lake offers rainbow and brook trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking and non-motorized boating. Two hiking trails begin at the campground. The Posey Overlook Trail is a mile long and leads to a beautiful overlook. The Posey Spur Trail connects the campground to the Great Western Trail, which provides excellent hiking and mountain biking.Facilities The campground contains 21 single-family sites and one group site for up to 35 people. Drinking water is provided from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Facilities at this campground include accessible vault toilets, a fish cleaning station and two fishing docks. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.Natural Features The campground is situated on a hillside above Posey Lake. A scenic forest of towering ponderosa pines covers the area. Clusters of aspens dot the landscape and summer wildflowers are abundant. Nearby Attractions Posey Lake offers a cool escape from the surrounding desert landscape and is often used as a base to explore the surrounding region. The Escalante area of southern Utah offers breathtaking scenery nearly everywhere you look. Sightseeing along Forest Road 153 (Hell's Backbone) and Utah Highway 12, a National All American Highway, is very popular. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Anasazi State Park, and the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park are all located in the area. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.
How to Get There
From Highway 12 in Escalante, turn north at 300 East at the elementary school at the Posey Lake/Hell's Backbone sign. Travel 14 miles to junction of Forest Roads 153 and 154, keep left and travel 2 miles to Posey Lake Campground. Site access can be difficult; about 14 miles of the road is gravel with some steep sections.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 19 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
- 🌡
Layers for swings
Daily temp range is wide (47°F low → 69°F high). Pack layers.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection (UV 9)
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND
Heading to POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND?
No central reservation system listed for POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231916) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND?
From Highway 12 in Escalante, turn north at 300 East at the elementary school at the Posey Lake/Hell's Backbone sign. Travel 14 miles to junction of Forest Roads 153 and 154, keep left and travel 2 miles to Posey Lake Campground. Site access can be difficult; about 14 miles of the road is gravel with some steep sections.
How do I contact POSEY LAKE CAMPGROUND?
You can reach the park at phone: 435-826-5499 or email: Help.Dixie.Escalante@AmericanLL.com.
References & Official Resources
