Can you reserve a site at Pelican Lake Campground?

Yes, Pelican Lake Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Pelican Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pelican Lake Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Pelican Lake Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Pelican Lake Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Pelican Lake Campground, Utah — 13 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

This Campground is on a First Come - First Serve Basis, vistors are required to physically be at the campground to purchase and claim a site. You must also occupy the area the day you pay for it, no advance payments. We encourage our visitors to download the recreation.gov app to take advantage of the Scan & Pay Option. There is also an Iron Ranger on site that you can pay with cash or check

Pelican Lake Campground is located at 4,800 feet and has 11 individual campsites and two group sites. Pelican Lake is well known for the outstanding bluegill and bass fishing. Bird watching is also a popular pastime in the spring, when the waterfowl come to live and rear their downy young.

Recreation

Pelican Lake is well known for the outstanding bluegill and bass fishing. Bird watching is also a popular pastime in the spring.

Facilities

11 individual sites and two group sites are available. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. Vault toilets are available within the campground community. Please bring your own water.

Campsites are first-come first-served.

Natural Features

Pelican Lake has been a nationally-renowned bluegill fishery since the 1970’s when Jim Zumbo published an article in Outdoor Life on the potential for daily bag limits of 1.5 pound bluegill. Since then, anglers have held high expectations for Pelican Lake. Unfortunately, in 2008 and 2009, adult carp entered Pelican Lake in large numbers and turned the lake from a clear waterbody dominated by largemouth bass and bluegill to a lake dominated by carp. The carp’s ability to outcompete bluegill for food eventually led to a decline in bluegill condition and a few years later, a decline in largemouth bass condition.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and avid Pelican Lake anglers anticipated this decline and convened a working group that developed a management plan for the lakes future success.

Nearby Attractions

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge lies along the Green River in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah. The Refuge provides diverse habitat types supporting over 350 fish and wildlife species and offers numerous wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities.

The facts

13 bookable sites
Up to 30 people per site
Loops: One, Two

Site types

11 Shelter Nonelectric
2 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

13 campsites at Pelican Lake Campground

Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 02:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
Site 1	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 10	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 2	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 3	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 4	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 5	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 6	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 7	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 8	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 9	One	Shelter Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 11	Two	Shelter Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	8	🐾
Site 12	Two	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	30	🐾
Site 13	Two	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	30	🐾

Getting there

25 miles southwest of Vernal, UT on UT-88

40.18235, -109.69399 · 40°10'56.5"N 109°41'38.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 95°F in Jul, down to 29°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	29	39	57	67	77	89	95	92	82	67	49	32
Low °F	5	13	26	35	44	52	58	55	46	33	22	10
Precip in	0.3	0.3	0.5	0.7	0.8	0.4	0.6	0.6	0.9	0.9	0.4	0.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Campsite $10.00 Group Site $35.00

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Pelican Lake Campground

Can you reserve a site at Pelican Lake Campground?: Yes, Pelican Lake Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Pelican Lake Campground have?: 13 sites.
Are pets allowed at Pelican Lake Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Pelican Lake Campground.
Does Pelican Lake Campground have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Pelican Lake Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Pelican Lake Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Pelican Lake Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Pelican Lake Campground's operator.

Bureau of Land Management — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Pelican Lake is a destination fishing and bird watching location. From the campground, the concrete boat ramp is within in view. There are ten individual and three group sites, each with fire rings, picnic tables, and shade shelters.

Camping near Pelican Lake Campground

Desolation Gray - Green River Permit 26.4 mi · Permit · we watch it
Pelican Lake Recreation Area 0.1 mi · Facility
Ouray National Fish Hatchery 4.9 mi · Facility
Pariette Wetlands 11.2 mi · Facility
McCoy Flats Trailhead 13 mi · Facility
Paradise Park Campground 16.7 mi · Campground
Rojo Mountain Bike Trail 25.6 mi · Facility
Little Red Mountain Trail 26.1 mi · Facility
Desolation Gray Canyons of the Green River 26.4 mi · Facility
Sand Wash Ranger Station 26.4 mi · Facility
Moonshine Arch Trailhead 26.8 mi · Facility
Dry Fork Flume Trailhead 1 26.9 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Pelican Lake Campground