Discover Panguitch Lake

Panguitch Lake sits at 8,400 feet inside Dixie National Forest in southern Utah, about 17 miles southwest of the town of Panguitch. The lake covers roughly 1,250 acres and stays cold year-round, which makes it one of the better trout fisheries in the state. Ponderosa pines and spruce line the shore, and on clear days the Markagunt Plateau rises behind them.

Summer brings fishing boats, kayaks, and hikers working the trails that fan out from the lake into the surrounding forest. Winter turns the area quiet: the road stays open, the ice thickens enough for fishing, and snowmobilers use the forest roads that close to vehicles. The nearby town of Panguitch has a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, and the kind of main street that still has a hardware store on it.

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Visiting in Summer

The lake opens up in late spring and stays busy through September. Water temperatures stay cool even in July, so it's more fishing and kayaking than swimming — though plenty of people wade in. The Forest Service boat ramp gives easy access, and several outfitters near the lake rent boats and gear by the day.

The trails around the lake connect to a larger network in Dixie National Forest. The Panguitch Lake Loop is an easy walk right along the shoreline. For something longer, the trails toward Brian Head and the Markagunt Plateau offer high-elevation hiking with views across the plateau to Bryce Canyon country.

Things to do in Summer:

• Panguitch Lake Loop Trail: A gentle 4-mile loop around the lake with consistent views of the water and the surrounding pines.
Visit here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/panguitch-lake-loop

• Fishing: The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and also holds brown trout. Shore fishing works well from the north end; boat fishing covers more water.
Visit here: https://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/panguitch-lake.html

• Boating and Kayaking: Motorized boats are allowed. Kayak and canoe rentals are available from outfitters near the lake.
Visit here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/recarea/?recid=24847

• Brian Head Peak: A 30-minute drive north brings you to the highest point on the Markagunt Plateau at 11,307 feet, with panoramic views and wildflower meadows in July and August.
Visit here: https://www.brianheadtown.com/activities/hiking

• Bryce Canyon National Park: About 45 minutes east, Bryce is an easy day trip from the lake. Go early to beat the crowds on the Navajo Loop.
Visit here: https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm

• Cedar Breaks National Monument: A 30-minute drive west. The amphitheater of red and orange hoodoos rivals Bryce but draws far fewer visitors.
Visit here: https://www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm

Visiting in Winter

Winter at Panguitch Lake is quiet in the best way. The summer crowds are gone, the forest roads fill with snow, and the lake freezes thick enough for ice fishing by January most years. Snowmobilers use the Dixie National Forest trail network that starts just outside town, and Brian Head Ski Resort is a 30-minute drive north.

The town of Panguitch stays open year-round. A few restaurants and a grocery store keep things covered, and the drive in on US-89 through the Red Canyon is worth doing slowly.

Things to do in Winter:

• Ice Fishing: Rainbow and brown trout are active under the ice. Bring your own gear or pick up supplies in Panguitch before heading to the lake.
Visit here: https://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/panguitch-lake.html

• Snowmobiling: Dixie National Forest maintains groomed trails accessible from the Panguitch Lake area. Trail conditions are posted by the forest service.
Visit here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/recarea/?recid=24847

• Brian Head Ski Resort: Utah's southernmost ski resort, about 30 miles north. Smaller than the Wasatch resorts but far less crowded, with good snow thanks to the elevation.
Visit here: https://www.brianhead.com/

• Red Canyon Snowshoeing: The red-rock formations of Red Canyon stay accessible in winter and make for a striking snowshoe or cross-country ski outing.
Visit here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/recarea/?recid=24895

Restaurants

• Cowboy's Smokehouse Cafe: A Panguitch staple known for slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. The kind of place that fills up on a Friday night.
Visit here: https://www.cowboyssmokehouse.com/
Location: 95 N Main St, Panguitch, UT 84759

• Henrie's Drive-In: Burgers, shakes, and quick bites. A local favorite that's been around for decades.
Location: 75 N Main St, Panguitch, UT 84759

• Flying M Restaurant: Breakfast and lunch in a casual setting. Good eggs and pancakes before a day on the lake or the trails.
Location: 580 N Main St, Panguitch, UT 84759

Shopping / Groceries / Services

• Panguitch IGA: The main grocery store in town. Stocked well enough for a week at the lake, including fishing supplies and firewood.
Location: 65 N Main St, Panguitch, UT 84759

• Panguitch Lake Resort: Cabins, a small store, and boat rentals right on the lake. Good first stop when you arrive.
Visit here: https://www.panguitchlakeresort.com/

• Color Country Outfitters: Fishing licenses, tackle, and local knowledge on where the trout are biting.
Location: Panguitch, UT 84759