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Palisade State Park RV & Campground Guide

Utah

Palisade State Park is located in central Utah fairly close to Interstates 15 and 70. Manti-La Sol National Forest, Capitol Reef National Park, and the city of Provo are all within a hundred miles of the park. In the 1860s, a Utah settler named Daniel Funk dammed the Sixmile Creek and created what was originally called Funk's Lake. In time, the lake's name changed to Palisade, and the location itself became a well-known vacation destination. The area became a state park in 1962, and visitors have been flocking to the park ever since.

Nearby Cities

  • Manti, UT

  • Sterling, UT

  • Gunnison, UT

  • Ephraim, UT

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Weather
Spring 34-75 F
Summer 54-94 F
Fall 31-82 F
Winter 22-46 F
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RV Resorts & Campsites in Palisade State Park

Campground Accommodations

Sandpitch Campground

  • Water hookup: Yes

  • Electrical hookup: Yes

  • Sewer hookup: Yes

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 40 feet

  • Other amenities: Grills, picnic tables, fire rings, showers, restrooms

Arapeen Campground

  • Water hookup: No

  • Electrical hookup: No

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 55 feet

  • Other amenities: Dump station, fire rings, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, grills

Pioneer Campground

  • Water hookup: No

  • Electrical hookup: No

  • Sewer hookup: No

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 30 feet

  • Other amenities: Dump station, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, restrooms, showers

Wakara Campground

  • Water hookup: Yes

  • Electrical hookup: Yes

  • Sewer hookup: Yes

  • Wi-Fi: No

  • Pet-friendly: Yes

  • Max RV length: 75 feet

  • Other amenities: Dump stations, drinking water, grills, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, fire rings

Springville / Provo KOA Journey

Springville / Provo KOA Journey is located a few miles south of Provo and just off Interstate 15. The campground offers great views of the Wasatch Range, and it's close to many hiking and biking trails in the area. The park sits on a western migration route for many species of birds like cranes and pelicans. In the winter, you can find many places to ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile. In the summer, you'll enjoy the pool, pavilion, and special luaus. There's also a water park close by.

• Number of sites: Sites are pull-through; call for availability

• Rates: Call for rates

• Type of hookup: Full hookups

• Electrical amps: 30 and 50

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Pool/hot tub: Pool

• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Showers: Yes

• Other amenities: Camp store, playground, rec room, pavilion, ping-pong, basketball, sandbox 

Lakeside RV Campground

Lakeside RV Campground is a large campground with access to the Provo River, and anglers enjoy the fishing opportunities afforded by staying at this quiet and restful park. The park has been in operation for 25 years and is family-owned, which is why they take pride in their customer service. There are plenty of shade trees to enjoy and boating and fishing opportunities to investigate, and there's even a River Trail hiking path at the river. 

• Number of sites: 138 pull-through or back-in sites

• Rates: Call for rates

• Type of hookup: Full hookups

• Electrical amps: 30 and 50

• Pool/hot tub: Yes

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Restrooms: Yes

• Showers: Yes

• Other amenities: General store, souvenirs, propane

Mountain Valley RV Resort

Mountain Valley RV Resort is in Heber City and affords access to all the available activities in Heber Valley. This is a high-end RV resort where you can take in the wonderful views of the Rocky Mountains. A new area in the park has adults-only features like a clubhouse with a full kitchen, fireplace, pool table, exercise room, and a TV; you also have access to the adults-only pool and pickleball court. For the kids, there are many outdoor play areas and basketball, pickleball, and volleyball courts. Little ones also have access to a family pool. 

• Number of sites: 148 pull-through 70-foot sites

• Type of hookup: Full hookups

• Electrical amps: 30, 50, 100

• Pool/hot tub: Two pools

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Restrooms: Yes

• Showers: Yes

• Other amenities: Large convenience store, adults-only amenities, two pools (one is adults only), RV supplies, catering available

RV Rentals Near Palisade State Park

Nearby RV Rentals

Restaurants

What to Do at
Palisade State Park

If you're a golf aficionado, then you'll want to check out Palisade State Park Golf Course. This 18-hole golf course set in a desert canyon is a fun but challenging course that's home to a clubhouse and a restaurant. Another popular activity here is off-highway vehicle riding thanks to the park's direct access to the Arapeen Trail and Six-Mile Canyon. If you visit Palisade State Park during the cold season, you'll have the opportunity to participate in winter sports like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.

Palisade Reservoir is the centerpiece of the park, so you'll probably spend most of your time on, in, or near the water. On dry land, you can hit the links of the park's golf course, eat tasty food at the golf course's restaurant, and ride your off-highway vehicle in the Utah countryside. Multiple trails around the reservoir are ripe for exploration by hikers.

Inside Palisade State Park

There's a wide range of activity options available inside Palisade State Park. Since there's a reservoir inside the park, you can enjoy electric or non-motorized boating activities, fishing and swimming in the lake. You'll find several trout varieties in the lake, as well as goldfish. There are hiking trails both around the lake and farther up on a hillside, and the park is close to the Arapeen OHV Trail. When you're tired of your own cooking, you can order a great meal at the on-site Lakeside Grill restaurant.

Fishing Fishing

You can take your non-motorized boat or your electric motorboat out on Palisade Reservoir to go fishing for trout. You can also fish from the shore, but you can't fish from the swimming beaches. If you visit in the winter, you can do some ice fishing out on the lake.

Geocaching Geocaching

More than a dozen caches are present at Palisade State Park.

Nature Watching Nature Watching

If you want to see animals like bald eagles and elk, you should visit during the fall and spring. Hawks, jays, swallows, and hares are more commonly seen during the summer months.

Stargazing Stargazing

Palisade State Park is far enough away from light pollution to provide an excellent venue for searching the heavens. The lake in the foreground and the mountains in the background provide a gorgeous backdrop for stargazing.

Flora and Fauna

Some of the plants that grow in Palisade State Park are cacti, junipers, sagebrush, pine trees, and wildflowers. Animals that live in this park include hares, hawks, rock chucks, blue herons, swallows, and squirrels.

Hiking Hiking

The most popular trail to hike at Palisade State Park is the Palisade Lake Loop. This 1.5-mile loop trail will take you along the shores of Palisade Reservoir. If you just want to explore half a mile of shoreline, you can take the Lakeshore Trail. For beautiful views of the park's valley and farmland, take the Ridgeline trail, which is 0.6 miles long.

Boating

You can't take your motorboat out onto Palisade Reservoir unless it's powered by an electric motor. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and paddle boats are all welcome on the lake. If you don't have your own boat or equipment, you can rent some gear from the park's rental service.

Swimming Swimming

There are plenty of places to swim on Palisade Reservoir. If you camp at Pioneer Campground, you'll have easy access to one of the park's swimming beaches.

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How to Get to
Palisade State Park

Palisade State Park is close to Highway 89. If you turn onto Palisade Road from Highway 89, you'll only have to drive about five minutes to the park's entrance.

Entering Palisade State Park

If you're visiting Palisade State Park between Monday and Thursday, you'll have to pay $15 per vehicle. If you choose to come on Friday through Sunday or on a holiday, then you'll have to pay $20 per vehicle. Seniors only pay $10 regardless of when they visit.

There are parking areas near Palisade Reservoir, Palisade Golf Course, and the campgrounds.

Central Utah is close to just about anywhere in the West you might like to visit. Palisade State Park is close to the Provo Canyon and Provo River areas, and not much further away is the Wasatch Range. It's also easy to travel to other states like Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. There are many national and state parks to see and all sorts of outdoor activities to explore. If you take lots of pictures, please tag us at RVshare when you post them on social media. You can also email your favorite pics to [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions About Palisade State Park

What is the best time of year to visit Palisade State Park?

Many visitors to Palisade State Park like to come during the summer so that they can take advantage of Palisade Reservoir. Others, however, prefer to visit in the fall due to the more comfortable temperatures and beautiful fall foliage.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Palisade State Park?

The semi-arid terrain of Palisade State Park is an ideal environment for animals like hares, deer, squirrels, and elk. Some of the birds you might see around the park include herons, bald eagles, and kingfishers.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Palisade State Park?

More than 70 of Palisade State Park's campsites are RV-friendly. Some of these sites can accommodate tents as well as campers. Campsite prices range from $35 per night for a standard site to $90 for a site with full hookups.

Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Palisade State Park and what is the cost?

While you don't have to reserve a spot to camp at Palisade State Park, doing so is wise since spots can fill up fast at this popular camping area. The reservation fee is $8. You can make your reservation up to four months in advance of your stay.

Are pets allowed at Palisade State Park?

Your four-legged friends are welcome at Palisade State Park as long as they are always leashed and kept under your control. You can't take your pets with you into the water or on the beach.