🏆 Utah’s Mountain Trout Lake — Blue Ribbon Fishing at 7,600 Feet in the Manti-La Sal Mountains — Updated for 2026 with campsite info, fishing regulations, ice fishing tips, and seasonal guide
At 7,600 feet in the Manti-La Sal Mountains, a 2,800-acre reservoir shimmers between aspen-covered slopes and high-desert ridges — one of Utah’s designated Blue Ribbon Fisheries. Scofield State Park is where Utah’s mountain country meets its trout water, offering rainbow, tiger, and cutthroat trout in a setting so high and clear it makes every other reservoir fishing trip feel like a compromise.
Two campgrounds — Madsen Bay and Mountain View — anchor the park with modern facilities, boat ramps, and direct lake access. Summer brings boating, swimming, and warm-weather trout fishing; winter transforms the reservoir into one of Utah’s most popular ice fishing destinations. Located about 120 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Scofield is the mountain lake escape that rewards those willing to climb.
What Makes Scofield Special
Blue Ribbon Fishery
Rainbow, tiger, and cutthroat trout in 2,800 acres of mountain water. Utah’s official Blue Ribbon designation.
7,600 Feet
High-elevation mountain reservoir in the Manti-La Sal Mountains. Cool summers, snowy winters.
Ice Fishing
One of Utah’s top ice fishing destinations — safe ice from Thanksgiving through spring.
Two Campgrounds
70 sites with hookups, boat ramps, showers, and fish cleaning stations at both locations.
Fishing Guide
- 🐟 Rainbow trout: The primary catch. Stocked regularly. Good year-round
- 🐟 Tiger trout: Brook x brown trout hybrid. Trophy fish. Special regulations apply
- 🐟 Cutthroat trout: Native species. Special regulations apply
- 🧊 Ice fishing: Safe ice typically by Thanksgiving. Popular shoreline: north of Madsen Bay ramp
📢 Fishing Regulations
• Trout limit: 4 fish total • No more than 2 can be cutthroat or tiger trout • Only 1 cutthroat/tiger over 22 inches • All cutthroat/tiger between 15-22 inches must be immediately released • No live minnows — dead minnows OK (especially for tiger trout)
Campgrounds
| Campground | Sites | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🏕️ Madsen Bay | 36 sites with electric/water. RVs to 35ft. Boat ramp | RV camping, north shore fishing |
| 🏕️ Mountain View | 34 sites near the dam. Boat ramp + floating docks | Lake views, tent camping, eastern shore |
When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
| Season | Months | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Summer | Jun–Aug | 70-80°F | 🏆 Boating, camping, warm-weather trout fishing. Full services |
| 🍂 Fall | Sep–Oct | 45-60°F | Aspens turn gold. Fewer crowds. Great fishing |
| 🧊 Winter | Nov–Mar | 10-30°F | 🏆 Ice fishing! Safe ice from Thanksgiving. Utah’s best |
| 🌸 Spring | Apr–May | 35-55°F | Ice-off fishing. Campgrounds opening. Mud possible |
Budget Calculator
| Expense | Day Trip | Camping Weekend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Use | $15/vehicle | Included | Utah State Parks day-use fee |
| Camping (2 nights) | — | $25-35/night | Hookup sites at Madsen Bay or Mountain View |
| Fishing License | $12-34 | $12-34 | Utah fishing license required |
| Total (2 adults) | $27-$49 | $62-$104 | Mountain trout lake camping |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a Blue Ribbon Fishery?
Utah’s official designation for waters with exceptional fishing quality. Scofield earned it for consistent trout populations and strong growth rates.
When does ice fishing start?
Safe ice typically forms by Thanksgiving. Ice fishing lasts through spring breakup, usually in April. Check conditions before going.
How high is the elevation?
7,600 feet — bring sunscreen, extra water, and layers. Afternoon thunderstorms common in summer. Snow possible in fall.
🏔️ Utah’s High Mountain Trout Water
Two thousand eight hundred acres of trout water at 7,600 feet — shimmering between aspens that turn gold in September and mountains that hold snow until June. Scofield is Utah’s mountain fishing destination, where rainbow trout rise at dawn, tiger trout lurk in the deeper water, and winter brings some of the best ice fishing in the West. Camp at Madsen Bay, launch from Mountain View, and catch trout until the sun drops behind the Manti-La Sal Mountains. This is what Blue Ribbon water looks like.
📍 Address: Scofield State Park, Price, UT 84501
📞 Phone: (435) 448-9449
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Utah state parks?
Day-use fees range from $10 to $20 per vehicle depending on the park. An annual pass costs $75 and covers all 44 Utah state parks. Camping fees are separate and range from $20-$40 per night.
Do I need a reservation for Dead Horse Point?
Yes, Dead Horse Point State Park now requires day-use reservations on weekends and holidays during peak season. Reservations can be made through stateparks.utah.gov. The park frequently reaches capacity.
What are the best state parks near Moab?
Dead Horse Point (dramatic canyon overlook) and Goblin Valley (alien rock formations) are the top state parks near Moab. Both are within 1-1.5 hours of town and offer stunning red rock scenery.
Is there cell service at Utah state parks?
Cell service is nonexistent or very limited at most remote southern Utah parks including Goblin Valley, Kodachrome Basin, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Download offline maps and inform someone of your plans before visiting.
Explore More Utah State Parks
Scofield State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Utah. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Utah guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Scofield SP — on Scofield Reservoir (2,817 acres) at 7,600 feet elevation. The park’s mountain reservoir, aspen-spruce forest, and meadows support elk, mule deer, and bald eagles. Rainbow and cutthroat trout thrive in the cold water. Nearby Scofield Mine disaster (1900) killed 200 miners — Utah’s worst mining disaster.
Nearby Attractions
Scofield — adjacent. Price — 30 miles southeast. Manti-La Sal NF — surrounding.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Huntington State Park (within about an hour’s drive) or Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation (within about an hour’s drive).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Scofield State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are permitted at most Utah state parks and campgrounds, on a leash and never left unattended.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 6 ft maximum leash required at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No statewide beach ban; rules vary by park - dogs are prohibited on the beach at Antelope Island, while Jordanelle has a designated area where dogs may swim off-leash
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in cabins and yurts at most parks (confirm with the park before reserving); additional lodging pet fees may apply
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No pet fee at standard campsites; additional fees apply for pets in cabins, yurts and cottages
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Park-specific restrictions such as Antelope Island's Frary Peak Trail and Deer Creek water areas
Are dogs allowed at Scofield State Park?
Pets are permitted at most Utah state parks and campgrounds, on a leash and never left unattended. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via stateparks.utah.gov. More: Utah state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Scofield State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
