Driving to Panguitch Lake

Definitely use 20 and get to the lake from Panguitch on 143. We're here in Panguitch now and the weather has been very bad. Many washouts on 14 from Cedar city. 20 is smooth and easy, has been resurfaced recently.

Thanks for the tips, all.
Appreciate it. I looked back at my notes and I had already done the 14 on my way to Bryce in '08. For some reason I posted thinking the road into Panguitch Lake was tough. The 14 looks most direct when I eyeballed it. Got reservations at Panguitch Lake proper, not the town. If time permits I'd sure like to get over to Torrey or Capitol Reef.

Thanks,

...another vote for Hwy 20. Have fun!

RaenMark wrote:
X2 on UT20. 14 is steep, high, narrow, and winding. It's a pretty drive, in your toad!

X3; we spent last September in Panguitch and went to Cedar City multiple times. Even when driving the toad the overall trip doesn't really take any longer using UT20 than it does on UT14 because UT20 is an excellent high speed road and UT14 definitely is NOT!

X2 on UT20. 14 is steep, high, narrow, and winding. It's a pretty drive, in your toad!

20 is an easier road than 14. less sharp turns but both have good grades.

cbigham,
Deserthawk is correct. I cannot remember all the road numbers but I do recall 14 out of Cedar City. Yep, about 99.9% of those roads into and out of Panguitch and the area, have some serious elevation changes. However, your 40' diesel will have no problem with those road systems in the area. It's an outstanding area. We've driven it many times on our way home from the Easter Jeep Safari in Moah UT. We'd veer off 15 south at Siever and head south on 89. Lots of small, one horse towns but a very, nice and pleasant drive, all the way to Panguitch.

A side note for you if you'd have a mind to and the time, outside of Panguitch, to the south is highway 12, that leads to Zion. A few miles up 12 from 89 is a very nice, quaint, no hookup campground called "Red Rock Canyon National Forrest Campground". What nice, clean, beautiful, secluded campground. And, I could sit there in my spot an just look at those "Red rocks" across from the campground, ALL DAY.

Now, this is all if you're approaching from the north. If you're coming in from the south, you can veer off 15N and head through the outskirts of St. George and head towards Zion and then, head up to Panguitch that way. Keep in mind, there are grades, some small and some, not so small, all along the way. We've been both directions with multiple motor homes pulling Jeeps and we've all made it with no issues.

On another side note, if you're going to head towards Panguitch through St. George, just off 15, on exit 16 I think it is, (better check on that), you'll come to an intersection (about two miles from 15) that will have a left turn to "Quail Creek Reservoir State park" and that's got about 21, all paved, pull through sites, that have a tremendous view of the reservoir. A very nice place for staying a day or three and traveling around St George and the area.

If that one is full, then right on down the same road,(about three-five miles from the Quail Creek Reservoir turn,) you'll come to another intersection with a right turn to, "Sand Hollow State Park". It's a brand new, miniature "Lake Powell". There's red rocks protruding out of the water and all. A beautiful place with a ton of level, nice, hookup spots and some, with a view of the lake. The lake is used for fishing, water sports, even some off roading with sand toys on the southeast side.

So, you've got some "Stop-overs" on the way to beautiful Lake Panguitch. All of it, very nice country to drive and tour though. Good luck.
Scott

It has been many a Moon since we were there. We did take a day tour from the lake to Zion & came back by Cedar City. Can't remember if we went up UT 14 to UT 148 to 143 from Cedar City or not. We left the Lake via 143/148 to UT 14 down to US 89 then to Zion.

I assume we came up Route 14 out of Cedar City. I remember UT 143/148 being very high elevations. UT 14 out from Cedar City must be somewhat of a climb. Just can't remember it. We were in a 1/2 ton pickup at the time.

Cedar Breaks Nat'l Mon't was off the UT 148 section I believe. We did go by to see a extremely old bristlecone pine tree along there somewhere.

Cedar Breaks Website wrote:
Traveling north on I-15:
Take exit 57 to Cedar City
Travel north on Main Street for 2.2 miles
Turn right onto E Center Street/Utah Highway 14
Continue east on Utah Highway 14 for approximately 18 miles
Turn left onto Utah Highway 148 and continue 4 miles to Cedar Breaks National Monument

Traveling south on U.S. Highway 89:
At Panguitch, turn right onto Utah Highway 143 West
Continue west for approximately 32 miles to Cedar Breaks National Monument

:h Using UT 14 out of Cedar City might not be too bad a route?

Google maps, however, routes it to the Lake by staying on I-15 on past Cedar City to Exit 95 & UT 20 to US 89 S to Panguitch. Then to the Lake. Never been on UT 20, but have read other reports saying it isn't a bad pass to cross over the mountains from US 89 to I-25.

Hopefully someone who has been up from Cedar City more recently will chime in as well.

Nice country up there & a very nice lake.