Beaver Dam State Park

Schroeder Reservoir at Beaver Dam State Park.

A beaver dam at Beaver Dam State Park.

A view up Beaver Dam Wash from a trail overlook.

The most remote of several state parks clustered near Panaca, Beaver Dam is close to the Utah border and Dixie National Forest.

This primitive park is a recognized wildlife watching area. Dams and gnawed-down trees prove that Beaver Dam Wash is aptly named. Mule deer, ground squirrels and other small mammals are common.

Wildflowers are abundant. Great blue herons and belted kingfishers work the stream, while hummingbirds and pinyon jays dash through the trees. Raptors include red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and great horned owls.

Great Basin rattlesnakes are among the reptiles found in the park.

Other visual attractions include a 35-foot waterfall, most unusual in this part of the country; ruins of a ranch; and inscriptions carved into the volcanic tuff by a '49er party.

Four hiking trails, totaling about 3.75 miles, follow the Beaver Wash and the reservoir shore or lead to the waterfall. Mountain bikes are limited to park roads.

Beaver Dam is a good fishing destination. Stocked with rainbow trout, Schroeder Reservoir is fished from shore or from small unpowered boats - there's a half-mile portage.

Non-technical rock climbing is permitted.

Two of the 33 campsites are wheelchair-accessible. Water is available year round. Though the park is open year-round, winter weather can be severe and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Call ahead for road conditions as the road is sometimes impassible in winter, even with four-wheel-drive.

The park is off U.S. 93, six miles north of Caliente, then 30 miles east on the gravel road.