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Pelican Lake Campground
BLMBureau of Land Management — Vernal · Utah · Ouray Valley
| Agency | BLMBureau of Land Management |
|---|---|
| Area | Ouray Valley |
| Location | Vernal · Utah · Ouray Valley · 40.18235, -109.69399 · Map |
| Sites | 13 public sites counted from the federal listing — 11 shelter nonelectric; 2 group standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 13 sites Water hookups at 0 of 13 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 13 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 13 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Campsite $10.00 Group Site $35.00 |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 02:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 13 sites, as reported |
| Amenities, as reported | Vault toilets |
| Phone | 435-781-4400 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-10-05.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
25 miles southwest of Vernal, UT on UT-88
Nearest federal campgrounds
27 mi straight-line · Price UtahNPSNational Park ServiceGreen River Campground
29 mi straight-line · Jensen UtahNPSNational Park ServiceSplit Mountain Group Campground
29 mi straight-line · Jensen UtahFSU.S. Forest ServiceUinta River Group
29 mi straight-line · Duchesne UtahFSU.S. Forest ServiceColton Guard Station
35 mi straight-line · VERNAL Utah
Trip Card — Pelican Lake Campground
Vernal · Utah · Ouray Valley
| Agency | BLM · Bureau of Land Management |
|---|---|
| Location | Vernal · Utah · Ouray Valley |
| Fees | Campsite $10.00 Group Site $35.00 |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 13 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10158808 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.