Piute State Park

Available Activities

Camping
Swimming
Fishing
Boating
Kayaking

Utah’s Remote Trophy Trout Reservoir — Primitive Beach Camping, Paiute ATV Trail Gateway, Waterskiing & Desert Stargazing at 5,900 Feet

Piute State Park is a primitive, undeveloped recreation area on Piute Reservoir along U.S. Route 89 in Piute County, Utah, approximately 12 miles south of Marysvale and just north of Junction. The park offers beach-side primitive camping (first-come, first-served), a paved boat ramp, and direct access to the Paiute ATV Trail System — one of the largest and most popular off-highway vehicle trail networks in the American West.

Piute Reservoir supports trophy-quality fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout, plus smallmouth bass. The reservoir’s open water is popular for waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, paddleboarding, and swimming. At 5,900 feet elevation, Piute delivers genuinely remote, uncrowded recreation — no reservations, no hookups, no potable water. This is self-sufficient backcountry camping on the banks of a high-desert reservoir under some of Utah’s darkest night skies.

Things to Do

Fishing

Trophy trout: Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout — some reaching trophy size
Smallmouth bass: Warm-water species available in summer
Year-round access: Ice fishing possible in winter
Utah fishing license required

Boating & Water Sports

Paved boat ramp: Access for motorized and non-motorized watercraft
Waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming

ATV/OHV Riding

Paiute ATV Trail System: One of Utah’s premier off-highway vehicle trail networks — hundreds of miles of marked trails through mountain terrain
The park serves as a direct gateway and basecamp for ATV riders

Camping

Feature	Details
Type	Primitive beach camping — no developed sites
Reservations	First-come, first-served only — no reservations
Hookups	NONE — no electric, no water, no sewer
Potable Water	NONE — bring all your own water
Restrooms	Pit toilets
Other	Day-use shade shelters; open 24/7 year-round

Best Time to Visit

Season	Highlights	Considerations
Summer (Jun–Aug)	⭐ PEAK: Waterskiing; swimming; bass active; ATV riding; longest days	Hot midday; thunderstorms; bring shade; no water on-site
Spring (Apr–May)	⭐ Trout fishing prime; wildflowers; cool comfortable camping; quiet	Variable weather; cold nights; windy; reservoir filling
Fall (Sep–Nov)	Fall trout; cooler ATV riding; fall color in mountains; stargazing excellent	Cold nights; shorter days; wind
Winter (Dec–Mar)	Ice fishing possible; winter stargazing; total solitude	Very cold (5,900 ft); road conditions variable; limited daylight

Visitor Tips

Bring everything: Piute is fully primitive — no potable water, no hookups, no showers, no dump station. Bring all water, food, fuel, and supplies. This is self-sufficient camping.
Nearby services: The Junction RV Park (~10 minutes) offers full RV hookups if you need facilities. The town of Marysvale (12 miles north) has basic supplies, fuel, and dining.
Paiute ATV Trail: If you ride ATVs, Piute is a premier basecamp for the Paiute Trail System. Load your machines and ride directly from the park.
Trophy trout: The reservoir produces genuinely large trout — rainbow and cutthroat in the 3-5 pound range are caught regularly. Bring appropriate gear.
Elevation: At 5,900 feet, summer days are warm but nights cool significantly. Bring layers even in July.
Dark skies: Piute’s remote location delivers exceptional stargazing — some of the darkest skies in southern Utah. Bring a star chart or app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there camping at Piute State Park?

Yes — Piute State Park offers primitive beach camping on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the camping is entirely undeveloped — there are no designated campsites, no hookups (electric, water, or sewer), no potable water, and no showers. Facilities are limited to pit toilets and day-use shade shelters. Campers must bring all their own water and supplies. The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. For full-service RV camping, the Junction RV Park is located approximately 10 minutes from the park entrance.

What is the Paiute ATV Trail System?

The Paiute ATV Trail System is one of Utah’s largest and most popular off-highway vehicle trail networks, consisting of hundreds of miles of marked trails through mountain terrain in south-central Utah. Piute State Park serves as a direct gateway and basecamp for the trail system. Riders can access trails directly from the park area. The trails range from easy to challenging, passing through alpine meadows, forests, and mountain passes with panoramic views. The trail system is generally open from late spring through fall, depending on snow conditions at higher elevations.

Last updated: May 2026

Last updated: May 1, 2026