National park · United States
Palisade State Park
Enter Palisade State Park for $5‑$10 per vehicle, hike the lakeshore trail (easy, 1 km (0.6 mi)) or the Palisade Ridge loop (moderate, 5 km (3.1 mi)) in May–Oct; avoid peak summer heat.Enter Palisade State Park for $5‑$10 per vehicle, hike the lakeshore trail (easy, 0.6 mi (1 km)) or the Palisade Ridge loop (moderate, 3.1 mi (5 km)) in May–Oct; avoid peak summer heat.
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
approximate
Established
1965
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
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
- 10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
- Park covers roughly 10 km² (≈2,500 acres) around the reservoir; includes shoreline, campgrounds and a golf course (check).
- Established
- 1965
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Palisade State Park offers swimming, fishing and water sports on the reservoir, several campgrounds and cabins, plus scenic trails and an 18‑hole golf course.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1965.
Size and age
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²) · national park since 1965
Park covers roughly 10 km² (≈2,500 acres) around the reservoir; includes shoreline, campgrounds and a golf course (check).
Why go
- Lake swimming, fishing and non‑motorized water sports.
- Multiple campgrounds and cabins for overnight stays.
- Scenic trails with views of the reservoir and surrounding canyon.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow.
- FebCold, limited trail access.
- MarMild, early spring.
- AprComfortable temps, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, low crowd.
- JunWarm, occasional thunderstorms.
- JulHot, high UV.
- AugHot, possible monsoon.
- SepCooling, good hiking.
- OctCool, foliage.
- NovCold, fewer visitors.
- DecCold, possible snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer, waterfowl, troutMar–Nov · Common sightings near water and open fields. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake shoreline | Swimming beach, boat launch, picnic areas. | Open with entry fee. |
| Campgrounds | Arapeen, Pioneer, Sanpitch, Wakara – sites with varying amenities. | Reserve online or on‑site. |
| Golf area | 18‑hole course, practice range, pro shop. | Pay green fees; open year‑round. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 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.
Coordinates from official Utah State Parks site; approximate centre of the park.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry | US$5–10 | vehicle | Check current rates on official site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails, not on beach.
- Firearms
- Prohibited within park boundaries.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; backcountry camping not permitted.
Where to stay
In the park
Cabins
Simple rooms with kitchenettes, available year‑round.
In the park
Campgrounds
Sites with varying hookups; reserve ahead in summer.
Safety
Heat medium
Lightning 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
- Main parking lot and beach access are wheelchair‑friendly.
- Trails vary; shoreline walk is paved, ridge loop is uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; pack out all trash.
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile desert vegetation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Palisade State Park?
Vehicle entry is $5‑$10; pedestrians and cyclists pay a reduced fee (check current rates).
What are the best hikes in Palisade State Park?
The easy lakeshore walk (1 km) and the moderate Palisade Ridge loop (5 km) are popular; both are well‑marked.
When is the best time to visit Palisade State Park?
May to October offers mild weather and full trail access; avoid July‑August heat if possible.
Are pets allowed in the park?
Leashed dogs are permitted on trails but not on the beach.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed in the designated campgrounds; backcountry camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Palisade State Park
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