Popular Boating Lakes
What Utah's lakes lack in quantity, they make up in quality. Many of Utah's most popular lakes are set against stunning orange-red sandstone canyons or surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Here are a few of the best lakes the state has to offer for boaters.
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Bear Lake
Bear Lake's deep turquoise waters and soft, sandy beaches offer an unexpectedly Caribbean vibe. The lake is part of Bear Lake State Park, located on the north-central border with Idaho. The State Marina is the launching point for many boaters, though several other entry points are available for paddlers and jet skiers. Bear Lake's natural waters are colored by calcium carbonate deposits, making this one of the most unique bodies of water in the state.
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Deer Creek Reservoir
Mount Timpanogos watches over this 2,965-acre reservoir. Deer Creek State Park is a wonderful destination for a day outing of paddling, picnics and perhaps a little bit of fishing. There are two marinas where visitors can rent boats. Jet skiing and water skiing are also popular. Late summer is a good time to catch the changing of the seasons beginning in the high country from the lower warmth of the lake environs.
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Flaming Gorge
When the sun sets over Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, you will see how this northern reservoir earned its fiery name. Brilliant hues of red, orange and yellow illuminate ancient canyon walls decorated with outcrops of hardy green shrubs. Boating is popular, especially for fishermen. And the area offers some of Utah's best paddling trails, with wakeless sections designated for paddlers. Flaming Gorge is a great family destination, thanks to camping and lodging options right on the lake (including boat-in campgrounds). Keep an eye out for ancient petroglyphs hidden in the rock.
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Jordanelle Reservoir
This relatively new reservoir and state park — it was completed in 1995 by damming the Provo River — is a favorite of powerboat enthusiasts, jet skiers and wakeboarders/water skiers. Thanks to its convenient location between Salt Lake City and Park City, it's a popular weekend getaway. Like many other locations in the Heber Valley, views of the rugged foothills and mountain backdrops abound.
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Lake Powell
Lake Powell is the ultimate flatwater adventure. Set in the incredible desert wilderness of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell's placid waters explore a seemingly endless matrix of canyons, rock towers, arches and beaches. A shoreline of 1,960 miles makes this an incredible place to kayak or canoe and camp. Many visitors choose to enjoy several days on the water in a rented houseboat, a great way to combine luxury and adventure (there are more than a few perfect cliff-jumping spots that can be reached by houseboats!)
"Utah's whitewater rivers are world-class and its reservoirs and lakes are some of the biggest in the country."
Watersports
Whether you prefer the speed of powerboating or the tranquility of kayaking, Utah has a wealth of watersports. The aforementioned lakes are perfect for flatwater boating and jet-skiing but there are also plenty of adventurous rivers for rafters, canoeists, paddleboarders, kayakers and tubers.
Rafting
The Green River in Moab is perfect for a day outing or as the start of a multi-day rafting trip. The Gates of Lodore along the Green River drifts through incredible towering canyons through the desert. Paddling along the San Juan River in Bears Ears National Monument offers historical side hikes to Ancestral Puebloan dwellings more than 2,000 years old. If rushing whitewater is your preference, Cataract Canyon along the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park is a thrilling run through the heart of the desert. Schedule a whitewater adventure with one of Utah’s many guides.
Stand-Up Paddling
Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of the most popular spots in Southern Utah to go paddleboarding. You can also easily rent boards at Bullfrog Marina, not far from Salt Lake. The warm waters of Sand Hollow State Park Reservoir provide the chance to paddle around beautiful red rocks. If you are looking for a mix of beautiful scenery and calm waters then try Jordanelle Reservoir in Jordanelle State Park. Finally, the iconic Great Salt Lake in Northern Utah provides SUP'ers with incredible views, especially in the early morning and evenings as the sun rises and sets. You can find rentals at or near all the lakes and reservoirs.
Tubing
In addition to whitewater, the Green River is also a great spot for a leisurely float through Gray Canyon surrounded by Utah’s beautiful desert and canyon landscape. The Provo River, in both Utah and Wasatch counties, is a mellow float through Class I and II rapids making it perfect for families. For a little more adventure, the Weber River, which begins in Northern Utah’s Uinta Mountains, flows a bit more swiftly and makes for a great day with teenagers and older groups. Finally, the two-mile float down the Virgin River in Zion National Park will keep you cool on a hot summer’s day. There are a variety of shops that provide rentals and shuttles to make your day as relaxing as a float should be.
Gates of Lodore
Photo: Jeremiah Watt
Read the Stories
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5 Reasons to Hire a Guide to Run Utah’s Rivers
While we eat and splash in the river to escape the early morning heat, the four guides will wash the dishes, break down camp, load our bags on the rafts and discretely stow the toilet.
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6 Surprising Activities That Take Place at The Homestead Crater
From soaking to scuba diving, this hot spring has a lot to offer.
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An Old Favorite Fishing Hole at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Visit Utah columnist Dan Potts takes us to his "secret" fishing hole on Utah's Flaming Gorge Reservoir, one of the world's most diverse fisheries set among the brilliant red rock walls of Red Canyon in the easternmost corner of the state. Along the way, Dan takes us through some of his favorite landscapes on the drive to and from Salt Lake City.
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Angling Secrets: How and Where to Catch Fish on Lake Powell
Read expect advice on when and where in Lake Powell to get the prized fish you're chasing.
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Bear Lake Monster Winterfest
It all started decades ago with the “Cisco Disco” and has grown to include a polar plunge, chili cookoff and winter festival known as the Bear Lake Monster Winterfest.
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Bridesmaids Gone Boating
If you and your bride tribe are more outdoorsy than indoorsy, consider booking a whitewater rafting trip in southern Utah instead of club night at a casino. Half-day, full-day, and multi-day river trips are easy to plan and are great for groups of all sizes and abilities.
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Chasing John Wesley Powell: Six Places to Explore Utah's Green and Colorado Rivers
One hundred and fifty years ago a one-armed Civil War veteran set off with nine mountain men on a scientific expedition to map one of the last blank spaces left on the U.S. map: The Green and Colorado rivers. Much of the river remains wild today. Follow Powell's journey here.
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Enjoying the Simple Pleasures of Lake Life on Palisade Reservoir
Utah’s beautiful Palisade Reservoir is an oasis of serene water in the central part of the state, a perfect getaway for paddling, fishing, swimming and camping.
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Fisher Towers River Rafting
Join Bob Wassom, and a few others, as they raft down the Fisher Towers stretch of water disproving any idea or stereotype suggesting disabilities hinder outdoor recreation.
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Flaming Gorge: Boating and Paddling Paradise
Do you know that Flaming Gorge is one of the best boating lakes in Utah? Read all about this stunning body of water and plan a trip!
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Get to Know Echo State Park
Situated at 5,560 feet above sea level, just north of Park City, lies Echo State Park. Watersports are king here, and whether you kayak, paddleboard, or boat, it’s a perfect place to get out on the water.
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How to Find a Guided Outdoors Experience
You might not be a pro climber, camper or explorer, but Utah’s diverse collection of outdoor guides has all of the expertise you need to have an adventure worth getting stoked about.
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How to Slow Travel in Utah
Avoid the mad scramble and consider slow travel as a better approach to your Utah trip.
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How to Take a Kayak & Camping Trip at Yuba State Park
Pristine sandy beaches, warm water temperatures all summer long and serene mountain views make Yuba State Park an appealing destination for campers and kayakers in sunny Central Utah.
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Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard Lake Powell
Slip into the mighty Lake Powell with a personal, self-propelled watercraft and have a whole different experience than the boats flying down the lake.
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Lake Powell Trash Boat
Attention good samaritans: Sign up for the Trash Tracker, a houseboat on Lake Powell, and help clean up the debris that has collected on the lake’s shores.
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Lakeside Near Torrey: Three Ways
Take a trip to this trio of Capitol Reef-area reservoirs where you can swim, fish, kayak and cool-off.
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Lost and Found in Desolation Canyon
Fully unplug on a return trip down the Green River through the remote Desolation Canyon. Along the way, read as the author navigates a few friends through tricky rapids and pauses on stillwater and at night to appreciate the beauty, stillness and solitude of desert wilderness. It's a 100-mile journey for dedicated adventurers, but it comes with real healing power.
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Paddling the Caribbean-Blue Waters of Bear Lake
At nearly 6,000 feet of elevation, temperatures at Bear Lake stay cool in the summer, making the basin a welcome respite from the heat and a great destination to enjoy water sports in a serene mountain setting.
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The Most Scenic Trophy Trout Destination
Flaming Gorge, Utah is one of the world’s best places to fish for trout. Awe-inspiring scenery and abundant fish attract anglers from all over. Check it out!
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The Story of Starvation Reservoir
Sprawling waters and local legends at Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation.
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Two Trips, Two Worlds, Two Years Apart: Returning to Raft in Dinosaur National Monument
Nushin and her family of four returned to Utah's Dinosaurland for the "best four days ever!" of guided rafting on the Green River. Explore their journey today!
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Venturing Out (and Back) Along the Canyon Rim Trail
An under-the-radar destination that should be on more people’s lists, Flaming Gorge offers spectacular wildlife viewing, scenery that comes straight out of paintings and plenty of outdoor adventure.
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What to Wear on a River Rafting Trip
There are a variety of Utah river trips to be had, from rafting the Green River’s whitewater, to leisurely floating the Colorado. Here's your packing list.
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Wild Heber: Close-to-Home Adventure
Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, Heber Valley’s state parks and national forest lands offer a world of adventure. Hike, bike, camp, kayak, watch wildlife and reel in blue-ribbon trout while learning about nature and how to protect it.
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Sandstone Spires & Swimming Holes
Walk the paths of dinosaurs and descend through 200 million years of geologic history in this six-day road trip from Vernal to Kodachrome Basin. It’s a kid-friendly desert drive in search of dino tracks, slot canyons and swimming,
Highlights
- Dinosaur Tracks in Vernal
- Crystal Geyser in Green River
- Hoodoos & Slots of Goblin Valley
- The Red Cliffs of Capitol Reef
- The White Cliffs of Grand Staircase
- Sandstone Spires in Kodachrome Basin
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Fishing Between The Mighty 5
Anglers overlook Southern Utah as a fishing destination inappropriately assuming red rock country and fish don’t get along. Big mistake.
Highlights
- Views of Zion National Park
- Pristine Panguitch Lake
- High-elevation Boulder Mountain
- Scenic Fish Lake
