Navajo Lake great spot to take a break from heat

Southern Utah lures heat-weary Las Vegans like the ice cream man draws neighborhood kids on summer afternoons. Who wouldn't welcome cool, pine-scented breezes, cold mountain streams and lakes, chilly nights under starry glitter and bracing mornings with the scent of wood smoke strong in the air? Utah's beautiful high-forested plateaus offer respite from scorching temperatures as well as unequalled recreational opportunities within a half-day's drive of Las Vegas.

Just head north about 180 miles on Interstate 15 to Cedar City, Utah. Exit I-15 to access scenic Utah Highway 14. The route climbs eastward through Cedar Canyon past the vivid formations in Cedar Breaks to the lofty tableland above Zion National Park. Located just 25 miles from Cedar City, Navajo Lake remains a premier destination on the Markagunt Plateau within Dixie National Forest.

Close enough for a weekend's visit and well-suited to a longer vacation stay, Navajo Lake offers lodging, camping, fishing, boating, swimming and routes for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use. The lovely lake lies along Utah 14 after you pass the turnoff to Cedar Breaks National Monument and before you reach Duck Creek. Turn off Highway 14 onto Navajo Lake Road which goes around the end of the lake to follow its south shore. Although the 1,500-acre lake is a natural body of water, a dam at one end controls overflow, maintaining the lake's size at about 2.5 square miles.

Wildlife officials keep it stocked with varieties of trout, well-suited to the cold water temperatures found at 9,200 feet elevation. If you want to wet a hook, you'll need a Utah fishing license, available online or at places where sporting goods, tackle and bait are sold. Licenses are sold in the Navajo Lake area at Cedar City, Duck Creek Village, Brian Head and Panguitch Lake. If you don't fish often, short term nonresident licenses make sense at $12 for one day or $32 for seven-days for all ages. Year-long licenses cost nonresidents $70.

Established in 1927, Navajo Lake Lodge welcomes seasonal guests from Memorial Day through mid-October. Built on the lake's south shore, this rustic hostelry offers 11 guest cabins with kitchenettes, but no refrigerators. Depending upon their size, the cabins accommodate from three to seven people for rates ranging from $65 to $115. They come equipped with basic kitchen equipment, linens and a barbecue. If you bring the family dog, expect a $10 fee. Pets should remain on a leash. Make reservations by calling 646-4197 in Las Vegas.

Navajo Lake Lodge includes a general store carrying camping and fishing supplies, firewood and clothing. It maintains a boat ramp on the shore where you can launch your own boat for a $10 ramp fee. The resort maintains a small fleet of rental watercraft including canoes, small fishing boats with motors and pontoon boats. Rent for a couple of hours to all day long.

Campers find two Dixie National Forest campgrounds near the lake shore a couple of miles apart. Navajo Lake Campground located two and a half miles from the turnoff offers 16 campsites.

Two miles more takes you to Te-Ah Campground with 41 units. Campsites accommodate tents or RVs up to 24 feet in length. Both campgrounds have centrally located water and restrooms with flush toilets. Expect cover to be thin as removal of beetle-killed trees is in progress. The campgrounds remain open with water available through Sept. 20. Plan for dry camping after that.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.