National park · United States
Fishlake National Forest
No entrance fee. Base at Fish Lake or Loa, drive UT-25 past Pando, and walk the Pando Trail plus one Fish Lake shoreline trail; come Jun–Sep, or late Sep for aspen colour.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5,900 km² (2,278 sq mi)2,278 sq mi (5,900 km²)
approximate
Established
1899
Best months
Jun–Jul, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 5,900 km² (2,278 sq mi)2,278 sq mi (5,900 km²)
- Roughly 1.46 million acres of mostly high plateau; boundaries are irregular and figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1899
- Best months
- Jun–Jul, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Fishlake National Forest is a high green island in central Utah: aspen groves, meadows, streams and a cold mountain lake at 2,700 m, a sharp contrast to the red rock country further south. It holds Pando, an aspen clone usually described as the world's largest single organism by mass, and Fish Lake, the largest natural mountain lake in Utah. There is no gate and no entrance fee; you pay for camping, cabins or a boat, not for the forest. Most visitors come for a scenic drive on UT-25, a short walk at Pando, and a day on the lake.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1899.
Size and age
5,900 km² (2,278 sq mi)2,278 sq mi (5,900 km²) · national park since 1899
Roughly 1.46 million acres of mostly high plateau; boundaries are irregular and figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Pando: about 47,000 aspen trunks sharing one root system, with a short trail and a roadside pullout on UT-25.
- Fish Lake sits above 2,700 m, so summer days stay cool while the valleys below are hot.
- Elk, deer, turkeys and mountain goats live here, and the aspen turn gold in late September.
- It is free to enter and easy to combine with Capitol Reef, which is about an hour east.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanUT-25 over the plateau is snowbound; snowmobiles only
- FebDeep snow; most facilities closed
- MarSnow lingers; roads may still be gated
- AprMud season; check road status before driving up
- MaySnow clearing; campgrounds open late in the month
- JunCool days, wildflowers, everything open
- JulWarmest and busiest; afternoon thunderstorms
- AugMonsoon storms; book campsites ahead
- SepAspen colour late in the month; quiet weekdays
- OctGolden aspen early, then cold nights and closures
- NovHunting season; many services shut
- DecSnow; access by snowmobile or groomed routes only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk (rut and bugling)Sep–Oct · Dawn and dusk in the meadows; keep distance and do not call them in. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mule deerMay–Jun, Sep–Nov | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Mountain goatsJun–Sep · On the higher rocky slopes; usually distant. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Black bearsMay–Oct · Store food in a vehicle or bear-resistant container, never in a tent. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wild turkeysApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Aspen colour (Pando and the plateau)Sep–Oct · Usually the last week of September into the first week of October (check). | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Richfield
Drive UT-119 and UT-24 east, then UT-25 to Fish Lake.
45–60 min
From Salt Lake City
I-15 south to Nephi, then UT-132 through Moroni and Fountain Green, or I-15 to Richfield and up.
3–3.5 h
From Capitol Reef National Park
UT-24 west from Torrey, then UT-25 north to Fish Lake and Pando.
1–1.5 h
From Loa
Short drive north on UT-24 then UT-25; Loa is the main supply town.
20–30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Lake basin | The lake, lodges, marina and most campgrounds, at about 2,700 m. | Open in summer; UT-25 plowed and open in winter to the lodge area (check). |
| Pando and UT-25 corridor | The aspen clone southwest of the lake, with a pullout and the Pando Trail. | Open; parts fenced against grazing, with gates for walkers. |
| Elk Ridge and the high plateau | Elk summer range, viewpoints and long dirt roads across the top of the plateau. | Open in summer; snowbound in winter. |
| Southern canyons and reservoirs | Lower, drier country toward Koosharem and the Sevier River, with small reservoirs. | Open longer than the plateau; some roads rough. |
Sketch map
- 1Twin Creek Visitor Center · Headquarters≈38.550, -111.722Near Fish Lake; maps and current conditions.Map ↗
- 2Fish Lake · Beach≈38.548, -111.710Approximate; lake centre.Map ↗
- 3Pando pullout (UT-25) · Trail≈38.525, -111.750Approximate; signed pullout with the Pando Trail.Map ↗
- 4Loa · Town≈38.403, -111.643Map ↗
- 5Richfield · Town≈38.773, -112.084Map ↗
- 6Elk Ridge viewpoint · Viewpoint≈38.600, -111.850Approximate; on the plateau above the lake.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; forest boundaries and dirt-road junctions are not precise.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest entry | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee for the national forest itself. |
| Campground night (developed site) | US$20–30 | site | 2026 estimate; varies by campground and season (check). |
| Dispersed camping | Free | site | Free on most forest land outside developed sites; some areas closed. |
| Fish Lake boat launch or marina rental | US$0–100 | day | Launch may be free; rentals and slips priced by the resort (check). |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | Not needed here, but useful for Capitol Reef and other federal sites on the same trip. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Forest entry no permit
Campfire permit in fire restrictions no permit
Commercial or group use permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$20–30
- US$80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on US Forest Service — Fishlake National Forest before you go.
Park rules
- Pando
- Do not carve, climb or tie anything to the trunks; wounds spread disease through the clone. Stay on the trail and use the gates in the fencing.
- Camping
- Developed campgrounds need a fee and often a reservation; dispersed camping is allowed on most forest land but not at trailheads, day-use areas or signed no-camping spots.
- Campfires
- Allowed only in established rings unless fire restrictions are in force; check the current restriction level before lighting anything.
- Livestock and cattle
- Grazing is part of the forest; give cattle room, close gates behind you and do not feed or chase them.
- Drones
- Not allowed to launch from or fly over developed recreation sites; check forest rules before flying elsewhere (check).
- Water
- Lake and stream water needs filtering or boiling; giardia is present in the high country.
Where to stay
In the park
Fish Lake lodges and cabins
Cabins and lodge rooms by the lake; book well ahead for summer and the aspen season.
In the park
Developed campgrounds around Fish Lake
Several forest campgrounds near the water; reservations recommended from June to September.
In the park
Dispersed camping on the plateau
Free roadside camping on forest land away from the lake; no facilities, pack out everything.
Near the park
Loa and Richfield motels
Standard motels 30–60 min away; the fallback when the basin is full.
Safety
Altitude medium
Afternoon thunderstorms medium
Cattle on the road medium
Winter travel high
No cell signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Pando pullout and trail are close to the road with a flat, short path; surfaces are dirt and may be soft after rain.
- Fish Lake campgrounds and the marina area are largely level and reachable by car, with vault toilets.
- Higher trails and plateau dirt roads are rough, steep in places and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Walk only on the Pando Trail and use the gates; every carve or wound on a trunk can spread disease through the whole clone.
- Keep dogs leashed near wildlife and pack out all waste, including food scraps that draw bears.
- Use existing fire rings and check restrictions; escaped campfires are the main wildfire risk here.
- Buy fuel and supplies in Loa or Richfield so the small towns around the forest keep the benefit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Fishlake National Forest?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate. You pay only for developed campgrounds, cabins, boat rentals or a marina slip, and those prices are set by the operator. A national park pass is not needed here, though it helps at Capitol Reef nearby.
What are the best hikes in Fishlake National Forest?
The Pando Trail is the short, flat walk everyone does, from the UT-25 pullout through the aspen clone. The Lakeshore Trail at Fish Lake is an easy 1–2 hour walk along the water. Longer options run from the lake into the surrounding ridges and up onto the plateau; trails are lightly marked, so carry a map.
When is the best time to visit Fishlake National Forest?
June to September for warm, open access, with July the busiest. Late September into early October is the aspen colour window and the elk rut, with cold nights. Winter access is by snowmobile on the plateau, and UT-25 over the top is usually closed to cars.
Can I see Pando and is it really one tree?
Yes, and yes in the sense that matters: the roughly 47,000 trunks share one root system and are genetically the same individual. The pullout is on UT-25 southwest of Fish Lake, and the Pando Trail loops through it. Parts are fenced to keep grazing animals off new shoots; use the gates and do not carve the trunks.
Do I need a reservation to camp?
For developed campgrounds around Fish Lake, yes in practice from June to September; they fill on summer weekends and during the aspen season. Dispersed camping on forest land is free and needs no reservation, but there are no facilities and some areas are closed.
Is Fishlake National Forest worth a stop between Capitol Reef and I-15?
Yes if you want a cool, green break and a short walk at Pando; it adds about an hour each way off UT-24. Skip it if you are short on time or visiting between November and April, when the plateau roads are snowbound.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go