Utah State Parks
By my count there are 43 Utah state parks. Give or take. You’ll see lists that might add one or two due to which government agency might be managing a particular park. Whether you enjoy camping, boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, riding horses, golfing, biking, riding off-highway vehicles, water-skiing, taking photographs, or just plain relaxing and enjoying life, there's one ... or more ... Utah state parks for you. And in winter, how about snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and ice fishing? The diversity of Utah state parks is exceeded only by the state’s geographic diversity. One thing to remember. Utah is the second driest state in the nation! Only Nevada has less water. The demand for irrigation and the damming of rivers and streams for needed water created our reservoirs. And many of Utah’s streams were diverted starting in the 1800’s. As you read about our Utah state parks, you’ll realize that the recreational opportunities so many of them provide are a by-product of this thirst for water. Many of them are man-made reservoirs! The Utah state parks are managed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources under the Division of State Parks and Recreation. Here’s the list. You can read more about each park on the rest of this page.
P.O. Box 1429 One of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River was situated right in the middle of Utah’s canyon country. Many are on display in the remodeled museum. Archeological excavations have uncovered more than 100 structures. Explore this ancient village. Anasazi State Park is located in the charming town of Boulder on State Route 12 – one of the 10 most scenic roads in America.
4528 West 1700 South Antelope Island State Park is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. One of the most unique Utah state parks. Covering 28,463 acres, it is 15 miles (24 km) long and 7 miles (11 km) wide at its widest point.
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. One of the largest free-roaming bison herds in the country lives here. More than 600 of them. And deer, coyotes, mountain sheep, and antelope. The many backcountry trails provide fantastic opportunities for wildlife sightings. And the Great Salt Lake is right in the middle of some of the best bird watching habitat anywhere.
P.O. Box 184 Any event that gets you to Bear Lake is likely to be a memorable one. As you get your first view of the lake, you’ll be amazed at its unique turquoise color. At an elevation of 5,923 feet, Bear Lake is located in a stunning setting - the Bear Lake Valley. Sandy beaches attract thousands who come to boat, fish, water-ski, camp, and play.
18035 West 1540 North This is one the Utah state parks established to enable visitors to relive an important part of history. Experience a Pony Express exchange outside Stagecoach Inn. Along the original Pony Express route. Stroll through a Civil War camp. Visualize 3,500 troops encamped there in 1857 to put the clamps on a supposed Mormon rebellion. Imagine what classes were like in the one-room schoolhouse built in 1898. Hard-as-nails young men were hired to ride the fastest horses money could buy on the Pony Express. 80 riders in all. West out of St. Joseph, MO. Over the Rockies to Salt Lake City. Across the Utah and Nevada deserts. Over the Sierra Nevada and into California. Never stopping and as fast as man and horse could go. The Pony Express lasted only 19 months. But it earned itself a sizable chapter in the history of the West
P.O. Box 95 Crescent-shaped sand dunes composed of fine, rose-colored granules. A shifting sea of red sand. Moving as much as 50 feet each year. 3,730 acres of breathtaking scenery in Utah’s Color Country. Red sandstone cliffs. Sapphire skies. Jade forests. Heaven for someone like me who loves photography. A fantastic playground for hiking, OHV riding and playing. If you’re an off-road lover, there are more than 1,000 acres of play area. And hundreds of miles of trails nearby.
P.O. Box 609 Of all the Utah state parks, Dead Horse Point State Park might just be the most impressive. Dead Horse Point looks over the Colorado River 2,000 heart-stopping feet below. Located just 32 miles (51.5 km) from Moab, it is one of the most breathtaking panoramas anywhere. When you actually stand there looking down, you may get the urge to grab something for balance. Just in case. You get to Dead Horse Point by heading nine miles (14.5 km) north from Moab on US 191. Turn west on SR 313 and drive for 33 miles (53 km). There’s a visitor center. A museum. A developed campground. And a large shelter covering the overlook itself. The overlook at Dead Horse Point is 6,000 feet above sea level.
P.O. Box 257 Deer Creek Reservoir is another one of the Utah state parks established as man-made water playgrounds. Boat, fish or windsurf these cool mountain waters. And great camping is available at any one of several campgrounds. It's located near the towns of Heber and Midway as well as Wasatch Mountain State Park. Enjoy spectacular views of towering Mount Timpanogos. And one of the most stunning mountain views on the planet. The people who originally settled this valley were of Swiss descent. When you see where they settled, you’ll know why they felt right at home.
5535 South Highway 66 East Canyon Reservoir is tucked high in the mountains of northeastern Utah between Salt Lake City and Morgan. A very popular spot for boating, fishing, and camping. If you like history, the nearby Mormon Pioneer Trail was the route taken by Mormons as they trekked more than 1,300 miles from Illinois to Utah.
660 West 400 North Edge of the Cedars allows you to behold the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) pottery on display in the Four Corners Region. And explore an authentic Puebloan village behind the museum. Permanent displays, special events, exhibits, and festivals are held throughout the year.
710 North Reservoir Road You can hike through a petrified forest. Take all the photos you want but leave everything where it lies. Wide Hollow Reservoir is a great place for camping, fishing, canoeing, and even kayaking. Escalante lets you see up, close, colorful deposits of wood and dinosaur bones mineralized over time. The park is only 1.5 miles (2.41 km) from the lazy southern Utah town of Escalante. Along State Route 12, one of the most scenic roads in America.
121100 North East Frontage Road This unique recreation area just south of the Salt Lake Valley is known worldwide as one of the best training sites anywhere for paragliding and hang gliding. The Utah State Parks and Recreation and the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (UHGPGA) have joined forces to preserve this area. It is located at the Point Of The Mountain. World-famous at one time for the “Widowmaker” motorcycle climbs featured every year on the long-running Saturday program “ABC’s Wide World of Sports”. I’ll always remember Jim McKay describing the scene. As developers bought up the land and the crowd was deemed too unruly, thrill-seekers moved up to the top of the mountain. 3820 West Clear Creek Canyon Road During the construction of Interstate 70 cutting east to west through central Utah, the largest know Fremont Indian village was unearthed. This museum was created to protect and preserve the ancient treasures. By making it one of the Utah state parks. Pottery, baskets, arrowheads, petroglyphs, pictographs. The park has 697 rock art panels, a museum with Utah's largest Fremont site excavation artifact collection, a campground second to none, and 14 guided trails. You’ll find Fremont Indian State Park just off Exit 17 on Interstate 70.
P.O. Box 637 Located in Utah’s famous Castle Country. Goblin Valley State Park is one of the more aptly named places on the planet. The elements have sculpted a magical wonderland of “goblins” out of the existing rock. An outdoor playground offering unlimited walking, exploring and hiking. It’s a fascinating and beautiful place. The nearby San Rafael Reef and Henry Mountains are spectacular in themselves. Near the park, you’ll find Native American rock art and even ruins left by early prospectors and miners. If you’re an avid hiker, some dynamite slot canyons are waiting for you to explore them.
c/o Edge of Cedars State Park Museum Imagine how long it took for the San Juan River to carve its way through that desert as you gaze 1,000 feet below. You’ll experience fantastic views of a spectacular and rare geologic formation. “An entrenched member”. Located in a remote location 4 miles (6.44 km) off Utah Highway 261 near Mexican Hat, you’ll be awed at the masterpiece created by the lazy, meandering San Juan. Flowing for more than 5 miles (8 km), it actually only progresses one linear mile toward the Colorado River and Lake Powell. The access road is paved and the facilities include primitive camping and vault rest rooms.
P.O. Box 16658 The Great Salt Lake and its islands provide remarkable scenery and unique recreational opportunities less than a half-hour west of Salt Lake City . Sunsets over the lake can be breathtaking. Indescribable colors blend into the evening sky seemingly dissolving before your eyes. Inland sailors enjoy relaxing days on the lake's turquoise waters. Many people spend their weekends - and even a weekday evening – sailing on the Great Salt Lake. This Utah state park provides boat slips, public viewpoints of the lake, sail and motorboat access, and a rescue operations center. In many places, you can walk out hundreds of yards into the lake and barely have the water reach your knees. The water is so buoyant, you’ll easily float. There are even freshwater showers available to rinse off the saltwater after “swimming”. P.O. Box 637 Green River State Park is a little bit of Heaven in a harsh central Utah environment. An oasis. Hugging the banks of the Green River with magnificent cottonwoods providing the shade for perfectly coifed lawns. The park is a favorite starting point for rafters venturing through Labyrinth and Stillwater canyons. A base for venturing into so much of southeastern Utah. Within a two-hour drive of this park you are able to get to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Lake Powell, the San Rafael Reef, and Horseshoe Canyon. The park is the starting point for the annual 180-mile Friendship Cruise. Green River State Park is just off Interstate 70 in the city of Green River.
4405 West 3600 South Located only 15 miles (24.14 km) northwest of sunny St. George, Gunlock State Park provides year-roundboating, fishing (for bass and catfish), and swimming. Warm summer waters to go along with the mild winter climate make it an ideal playground in any season. The 240-acre reservoir has a boat-launching ramp and provides picnic and primitive camping facilities.
P.O. Box 754 Motorized traffic is not allowed on this 28-mile (45 km) trail leading from Park City to Echo Reservoir. And the facilities are continuously being upgraded and developed. You can explore this trail on foot, bike, horseback or skis in winter. Be prepared to marvel at the colorful wildflower displays and the opportunity to view an abundance of wildlife depending on the season and time of day.
P.O. Box 1343 Amber-colored buttes dominate this desert oasis. With 237 acres of warm water, this favorite for locals lets you enjoy boating, water-skiing, swimming and fishing. Kids will enjoy catching crawdads to boil up for dinner. You’ll find Huntington State Park near the town of Huntington on State Route 10 at the base of the Wasatch Plateau. With 22 camping units. Picnic sites. Modern rest rooms. Showers. A sewage disposal station. A boat launching ramp. And a covered pavilion for larger groups. 405 West 300 South Less than 15 minutes from Logan - home of Utah State University - Hyrum Lake State Park lets you enjoy boating, fishing, water-skiing, camping and swimming. And just 16 miles (25.7) up Blacksmith Fork Canyon, you’ll find Hardware Ranch – home of the winter elk feeding ranch. Unfortunately, the elk probably won’t be there when you’re enjoying the park. With an abundance of willow, box elder, and maple trees surrounding Hyrum Reservoir, the welcome shade provides a great environment for a variety of wildlife and waterfowl. 635 North Main Located in Cedar City in southern Utah, the museum tells the story of development in surrounding Iron County. In the 1850’s, Brigham Young sent Mormon missionaries to the area to mine iron. History is brought to life. Through the displays of horse-drawn vehicles used from 1850 to 1920 and a collection of pioneer and Indian artifacts. You’ll find a nice picnic area but no camping facilities. Rose Park Lane This play area right in the heart of the Salt Lake Valley provides four separate tracks. All four have tabletops and banked turns. They’re open from April through November. Including two motocross tracks – one for off-highway motorcycles (OHM’s) and one for ATV’s. The novice and grand-prix tracks are open to both types of machines. There are even state required off-highway vehicle education programs offered at the park. In contrast, fly your model airplane in peace and free of worry about bothering anyone. The modelport on-site provides a runway and a whole lot of room to fly your model airplane.
515 State Road 319, Box 4 It doesn’t seem that many years ago when I was driving through the bottom of this canyon east of Park City on my way to the Uintas or to fish at Strawberry Reservoir. But with the damming up of the Provo River above Heber, one of our newest Utah state parks, made up of two distinct recreation areas, was created.
P.O. Box 180069 Geologists believe Kodachrome Basin was once much like Yellowstone National Park. You’ll see massive sandstone chimneys in a multitude of colors depending on the time of day. The National Geographic Society tagged Kodachrome – with the permission of Kodak – with its very appropriate name in 1949. The park is 9 miles (14.5 km) south of State Route 12 near Cannonville. Enjoy hiking, biking, and off-higway vehicle riding areas. And overnight camping facilities, drinking water, modern rest rooms, hot showers and a sewage disposal station. P.O. Box 1343 Camp in the quiet campground or boat and fish on the peaceful waters of Millsite Reservoir. At the mouth of scenic Ferron Canyon sits this 435-acre lake. Enjoy a round of golf on the nearby municipal course. And access to excellent off-highway vehicle trails as well as fantastic mountain biking. There are miles of trails in nearby Ferron Canyon. The reservoir has a boat launching ramp, a sandy beach, and excellent amenities. Just 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Highway 10 near the town of Ferron. P.O. Box 43 This quiet 3,120-acre reservoir is a wonderful place to escape to for boating, ATV riding, fishing, and bird-watching. Access three ATV trails directly from the park. Otter Creek is a superlative fishery. While spring and fall bring fantastic birding opportunities. It’s right on the Pacific Migratory Bird Flyway. Otter Creek is located 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Antimony on State Route 22. Camping. Picnicking. Modern rest rooms. Hot showers. Sewage disposal stations. A boat launching ramp and courtesy docks.
2200 East Palisade Road Seventy-acre Palisade State Park & Reservoir has something for everyone. Play a round of golf. Set up camp in one of 53 sites with your RV or tent. Fish. Swim. Troll. Paddle. Non-motorized watercraft only please. There is fantastic hiking nearby. And Six-Mile Canyon provides off-highway vehicle enthusiasts with the ideal place to play. Located southeast of Manti, it’s a beautifully landscaped park with abundant trees and grass. A sandy beach. Modern rest rooms with hot showers. A group camping area. And you can even rent canoes and paddle boats. P.O. Box 43 Lying among the cliffs of the Sevier Plateau, Piute Reservoir attracts anglers who revel in year-round trophy fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. The park is a well-kept secret. Another one of Utah’s quiet getaways. You can also camp, boat, and hunt waterfowl during the various seasons. It’s located 12 miles (19.3 km) south of Marysvale just off Highway 89. Be prepared for primitive facilities. P.O. Box 1943 Because of its southerly location near Utah’s Dixie, Quail Creek boasts some of the warmest waters in the state. And the mild winter climate allows boating and fishing year-round. You can enjoy the warm water or visit a nearby national park or monument. Camp in a beautiful campsite in Dixie’s spectacular red rock country. Just 3 miles (4.8 km) east of the Interstate 15 Hurricane exit along State Route 9. 8750 North Highway 191 In the heart of Dinosaurland, Red Fleet is a great destination in itself. Or you can use it as a launching point to see the rest of the area. Overlooking a beautiful sandstone and desert landscape, this scenic state park is only 10 miles (16 km) north of Vernal just off Highway 191. You can hike to dinosaur tracks hundreds of millions of years old. Boat and fish on the reservoir. Camp and picnic in one of many sites around the lake. 9040 North Highway 302 Just 45 miles (72.4 km) east of Salt Lake City near the town of Wanship, you’ll find Rockport. A year-round recreation destination. One of the first Utah state parks I ever visited. In the summer, enjoy fishing, boating, and water-skiing. Even sailing. In winter, ice fish, cross-country ski, and explore the nearby snowmobile trails. You can experience both primitive and developed camping in one of eight campgrounds. 4405 West 3600 South This is the newest of Utah state parks and one of its most popular. Its southerly location near St. George offers warm, blue waters and southern Utah’s famous red sandstone landscape. Enjoy boating and fishing (for bluegill and bass) on the reservoir. Or take your off-highway vehicle up, down, and over the dunes at Sand Mountain. The new campground provides facilities for RV’s or tents. P.O. Box 1343 Located high in the Manti-LaSal Mountains, Scofield is a year-round outdoor destination. Camp, boat, and fish during the summer. And in the winter, enjoy ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. It’s a fabulous mountain setting.
1002 Snow Canyon Drive A fascinating mixture of colors highlight this beautiful canyon 11 miles (17.7 km) northwest of St. George. The canyon’s Red Navajo sandstone is topped with black lava rock providing a stunning backdrop for photography, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. A 35-unit campground with modern amenities makes it a great place to set up your tent or park your RV. P.O. Box 584 Starvation State Park & Reservoir covers 3,500 acres and offers year-round fishing and boating. It’s located 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Duchesne on Highway 40. Great camping is available – both primitive and developed. If you’re into riding off-highway vehicles, this might be the place for you. There are numerous trails nearby. 4335 North Highway 191 Like so many of Utah’s state parks. Sandy beaches. Swimming. Boating. Water-skiing. Camping. Fish year-round for trout and largemouth bass. Another one of the wonderful Utah state parks in the Dinosaurland area. Steinaker is 7 miles (11.2 km) north of Vernal just off Highway 191. 50 West Capitol Avenue Utah’s oldest existing government building. Located in Fillmore – 132 miles (213 km) south of Salt Lake City – Brigham Young decided that in anticipation of Utah’s statehood, this was the place for the state capitol. As it ended up, only the south wing was completed. Just in time for the December 1855 meeting of the Territorial Legislature. By December of 1858, the home of the territorial – and later state – government was moved to Salt Lake City. The museum houses a store and auditorium. An All-American Rose Society Garden. And a picnic area are right next to the museum. A little history - two restored pioneer cabins and a stone schoolhouse from 1867 are also located on the grounds. If you’re looking for a place to stay, camping and lodging facilities are close by. 496 East Main Street Located in the heart of Dinosaurland, get a first-hand look at the prehistoric world. Dig for fossils. Wander the dinosaur garden. Where 17 life-size prehistoric animal replicas take you back in time. Utah Field House lets you experience hands-on exhibits. A picnic area is on-site and plenty of camping is nearby.
4400 West Center Street Located directly west of Provo and less than ½ hour south of Salt Lake City, Utah Lake is the state’s largest freshwater lake. The lake can change as quickly as the weather on the Wasatch Front. But it’s an excellent year-round fishery for channel catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass, and panfish. A great lake for boating, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. With an excellent marina and four boat launching ramps. But keep your eye on the horizon. It can be treacherous when bad weather blows in. 17111 Camp Williams Road This 30-acre memorial is found in Bluffdale. In the far southern part of the Salt lake Valley. It honors those who fought for their country in various wars. The park includes a cemetery, a chapel, a wall of honor, and a museum.
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