Duck Creek Campground receives $2.1M for renovations. Here’s what visitors should know.

Written by Alysha Lundgren
May 23, 2024

CEDAR CITY — Some campers and hikers may need to make alternative plans as Duck Creek Campground will be partially closed this season after receiving a monetary boost.

A portion of the Duck Creek Campground will remain closed for the 2024 season, Duck Creek Village, Utah, May 20, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

Dixie National Forest was awarded over $2.1 million from The Great American Outdoors Act and the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission to redesign and renovate 35 campsites. The service will install new furniture in campground loops B, C and D.

They will also install redesigned signage, fix parking spurs, define hardened tent pads associated with campsites, and add designated family units consisting of a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill stand, according to a news release issued by the Forest Service.

The Ponderosa and Duck Creek group campsites will be redesigned with new tables, fire rings and pavilion shade structures that will “provide a better camping experience,” according to the release. The Forest Service also plans to add three concrete vault toilets across the campground to reduce demand on facilities in other parts of the campground.

Skyler Maynes, a recreation management specialist with Dixie National Forest’s Cedar City Ranger District, told Cedar City News that the project has been in the works for multiple years and was only recently funded.

This image shows an example of a double site at the Spruces Campground at Navajo Lake, Utah, May 20, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Dixie National Forest, Cedar City News

“Overall everyone that is working on the project seems to be excited to finally be updating this campground that has not been updated for many years,” he said.

While loops B, C and D will be closed this season, the Forest Service said Loop A will be open after Friday, May 24.

“Please be patient with the construction and closure of the rest of the campground for the season,” the release states.

The closures will also impact the accessibility of the Old Ranger and Lost Hunter trails, each of which has trailheads located on the closed loops. Still, Maynes said visitors have plenty of other options.

This map shows which areas of the Duck Creek Campground will remain closed in 2024 | Image courtesy of Dixie National Forest, Cedar City News

The Lost Hunter Trail can be accessed from the Markagunt Off-Highway Vehicle trail system from the north, but Maynes said those accessing it from the top must also leave that way as the bottom of the trail will be inaccessible.

“Opportunities for hikes are abundant in the area,” he said. “My recommendation is to stop at the (Duck Creek) Visitor Center across the highway from the Duck Creek Campground to get up-to-date information about what is available and current conditions.”

Other nearby trails include the Cascade Falls, Navajo Lake Loop and Virgin River Rim trails. The town of Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument are also a short drive from the area.

There are nine other campgrounds managed by the Cedar City Ranger District, and visitors can make reservations or find additional information at recreation.gov.

Nearby campgrounds include:

Snow speckles the hillsides at Navajo Lake, Utah, May 20, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News
  • Cedar Canyon Campground
  • Deer Haven Campground
  • Spruces Campground
  • Navajo Lake Campground
  • Te-Ah Campground
  • Panguitch Lake North Campground
  • Panguitch Lake South Campground
  • White Bridge Campground
  • Yankee Meadows Campground

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alysha Lundgren joined the St. George News team in 2022. She began her career as a freelancer, writing resource articles for families of children with disabilities. She's also covered topics such as astronomy, recreation and nature. Originally from Nevada, Alysha fell in love with Utah quickly after moving to Cedar City. In her free time, she enjoys wandering and photographing Utah's gorgeous landscapes or hunkering down in a blanket to play video games or read a good book.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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