Scofield State Park

Photo: Travel Utah

High-Altitude Recreation in Utah's Manti-La Sal Mountains

Scofield State Park is found high in the scenic Manti-La Sal Mountains at an elevation of 7,600 feet. It offers a refreshing retreat from Utah's summer heat and a cold, snowy but exhilarating playground during winter months.

As so many of Utah State Parks are, Scofield is centered around a man-made reservoir - the 2,800-acre Scofield Reservoir. It is a haven for anglers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking year-round adventure.​

It is not in the top 10 of most-visited Utah State Parks probably due to its location. It isn’t close to any of the major cities. This is why that despite its beauty and wonderful array of recreational opportunities, I’ve only been there a couple times myself.

Photo: Travel Utah

A Year-Round Destination

Summer Activities:

• Fishing: The reservoir is renowned for its trout fishing with rainbow, cutthroat and tiger trout. Anglers can fish from shore or from a boat with the south end island seeming to be a popular spot.
• Boating and Water Sports: With two boat ramps and ample open water, visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking and paddleboarding.​
• Camping: Two developed campgrounds … Madsen Bay and Mountain View … offer a range of amenities for tents and RVs.
• Hiking and Wildlife Viewing: Surrounding trails provide opportunities to explore the area's natural beauty and observe local wildlife.​

Winter Activities:

• Ice Fishing: As one of the first Utah fisheries to freeze over due to its altitude, Scofield becomes a hotspot for ice fishing enthusiasts targeting those nice fat trout beneath the ice.​
• Snowmobiling and Cross-Country Skiing: The park's snowy landscape transforms into a winter sports paradise with trails suitable for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshowing.​

Photo: Travel Utah

Campgrounds and Facilities

Madsen Bay Campground:

• Located on the northern shoreline, this campground features 36 single-family campsites with electric and water hookups. It can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet. 
• Amenities include paved pads, picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, hot showers (fee required), a dump station, boat ramp, fish cleaning station and dry storage.​

Mountain View Campground:

• Situated near the dam on the eastern shore, Mountain View offers 34 campsites suitable for tents, trailers and small RVs.
• The facilities mirror those at Madsen Bay providing campers with essential comforts and scenic views.​

Day-Use Areas:

• The Lakeside Day Use Pavilion, located between the campgrounds off Highway 96, features a large pavilion with six tables, restrooms with running water and parking for eight vehicles. ​

Photo: Travel Utah

How To Get To Scofield State Park

Scofield Reservoir State Park is located about 120 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Take I-15 all the way down to the Price-Manti exit. Then go east on State Route 6. Turn right on SR 96. From there, it is a 10 mile drive to the park. You can also access the park through the town of Scofield from the south also on SR 96.

Park History

Back in the 1870s, settlers were drawn to this high mountain valley for its open rangeland and natural beauty. They fittingly named it Pleasant Valley. This was in deference to its broad meadows, cool summers and peaceful surroundings. The name Scofield honors General Charles W. Scofield who was a former lumberjack. He later became a key figure in Utah's early coal mining industry.

By the 1920s, the little mountain town had grown into a lively coal-mining hub. Scofield boasted a post office, a dozen general stores, four hotels and more than 6,000 residents. In true frontier fashion, it had 13 saloons. But as the coal boom faded, so did the population. Today, the town is home to fewer than 50 people.

It is even listed among Utah’s ghost towns as I discovered while doing research for some articles and a book I am writing. It is a skeletal remnant of its once rowdy past but continues to lend its calm, uncrowded charm to the area.

Photo: Travel Utah

Park Information and Fees

I’ve listed some of the current fees here but remember that these will change almost every year. They always go up, never down. You can always check the state website here for current fees:  https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/scofield/

• Operating Hours: Open year-round, with summer hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM and winter hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 
• Day-Use Fees: $10 per vehicle; $5 for seniors (62+); $5 per person for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Camping Fees: Madsen Bay Campground - $30 per night; Mountain View Campground - $25 per night.
• Group Use: Lakeside Group Area - $2 per person (25-person minimum, 35-person maximum); Mountain View Group Campground - $3 per person (25-person minimum, 50-person maximum; limited to 12 vehicles or 5 RVs). ​
• Reservations: Are definitely recommended during peak seasons and can be made through the Utah State Parks reservation system.​    

Scofield State Park
1116 East 2nd Avenue
Scofield, UT 84526
Summer Phone: (435) 448-9449
Winter Phone: (435) 687-2491
Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/scofield/

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