Hyrum State Park

Cache Valley’s Family-Friendly Reservoir

Less than ten miles south of Logan … and just under 1 ½ hours north of the Wasatch Front … you’ll find Hyrum State Park. We had never been there and, in fact, never even knew it existed until I started doing research for my series of Utah State Park pages.

Driving through the little town of Hyrum just a few miles south of Logan off Highway 91 was a little like going back in time. In a good way. The reservoir itself feels like a small, hidden nugget tucked in the south end of the broad and ever-growing Cache Valley.

Anchored by the 450-acre Hyrum Reservoir, the park offers warm-water recreation in summer, trophy ice-fishing in winter and shady campsites beneath towering cottonwoods. Like so many other Utah State Parks, it is a year-round playground.

Pair that with views of the Wellsville Mountains and quick access to Logan Canyon to provide the kind of place locals flock to on Friday afternoons while out-of-staters … and in-staters … drive right past on the highway just west without even knowing it is there. Their loss, your gain.

The weekday we were there in early June was uncrowded and peaceful with just a few high school kids wandering around the parking area. They looked like they spent a lot of time there.

A Reservoir With a New Deal Past

Hyrum Dam was built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1935 as one of the many Great Depression work-relief projects. It dammed up water from the Little Bear River to irrigate farms across the Cache Valley. Recreation, as it always does, quickly followed with Utah declaring the area a state park in 1959.

Today, the concrete dam still stands guard at the south end of the reservoir. The north shoreline has evolved into a tree-lined campground with a broad swimming beach and a boat ramp bustling from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Warm-Season Highlights

Boating & Paddling

• There is a two-lane paved ramp with all motor sizes allowed. Ski boats, wakeboards and PWC (Jet Skis) dominate the weekends. Come mid-week for glassy water which is when we visited.
• Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are usually put in the water at the north end of the reservoir near the main park entrance.

Swimming & Beach Time

A gently sloped, sand-and-pebble beach sits next to the day-use lawn. Lifeguards are not present … as in all the State Parks … so parents need to keep close eye on their kids.

Shade trees line the grassy north shoreline making it perfect for midday picnics and evening barbeques.

Photo - Travel Utah

Fishing

Hyrum is a year-round fishery stocked with:

·  Rainbow trout
·  Cutthroat trout
·  Smallmouth bass
·  Yellow perch & bluegill

Spring and fall see trout near the surface. On summer mornings, anglers target bass around rocky points. Come January, the hardy break out their augers for perch and bluegill beneath the ice.

Camping Under Cottonwoods

The wooded campground sits only steps from the shoreline and received a full resurfacing in 2022. You’ll find three distinct options:

• Lake View Loop
  - 32 sites
  - Water and 30-amp power hookups
  - Pull-through pads fit rigs up to 45 feet

• Riverside Loop
  - 15 sites
  - No hookups
  - Deepest shade in the park - ideal for tents

• Group Camp
  - One large site (accommodates up to 60 people)
  - Shared electrical power
  - Pavilion, volleyball net, and ample parking for gatherings

Hot showers, flush toilets and a fish-cleaning station round out the amenities. Nights cool off even in mid-summer so pack an extra layer for those post-sunset camp-fire chats.

Photo - Travel Utah

Four-Season Fun at Hyrum State Park

Fall Color & Fowl

September brings golden cottonwoods and migrating waterfowl. Photographers have been known to use the dike as a home base at dawn to capture mist rising off glassy water.

Winter: Ice & Snow

When ice thickness reaches a safe inches or more, the reservoir buzzes with huts and heaters. Snowmobilers use the boat ramp to unload and zip across the frozen surface before exploring groomed Cache Valley trails.

Spring Awakening

By late April, the ice recedes and trout cruise the shallows. Shore anglers often limit out before breakfast while the songbirds are chattering away in budding willows.

Trails & Nearby Exploration

•  Aeration Pond Nature Walk (0.7 mi loop): This is an easy stroll past wetlands. Look for muskrats, herons and spring migratory ducks.
•  Blacksmith Fork River Path (5 mi one-way): This is a paved multi-use trail starting in nearby Hyrum City Park. It is good for morning jogs or bike rides.
•  Wellsville Mountain Wilderness (20 min drive): Plan on more challenging hikes to Utah’s steepest front range. Sardine Peak and Wellsville Cone reward with valley panoramas.

Events & Local Flavor

•  Hyrum Fourth of July Freedom Fireworks: Boats anchor mid-lake for mirror-double bursts.
•  Cache Valley Cruise-In (early July): Classic-car rally in Logan. Camp at Hyrum, cruise by day.
•  Fall Harvest Festival (late Sept): The nearby American West Heritage Center offers wagon rides and corn mazes.

Visitor Essentials

•  Elevation: 4,700 feet
•  Reservoir Surface: 450 acres when full
•  Average Summer Water Temp: 72 - 76 °F
•  Hours: 6:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. year-round
•  Day-Use Fee: $10 per vehicle (Utah resident); $15 non-resident
•  Camping Rates: $30 - $40 per night (individual sites); $135 for the group site. Check out the state website for updated fees. 
•  Boat Inspections: Plan on a mandatory AIS (quagga mussel) check at the entrance.
•  Pets: Are allowed on a leash. They are not permitted on the designated swim beach.
•  Reservations: Check out the Reserve America website for reservations.

Quick Tips for First-Time Visitors

1.  Arrive early on summer Saturdays - the parking fills up fast.
2.  Watch afternoon winds - Whitecaps can kick up by mid-afternoon. This is a given in Utah’s mountains. Plan on paddling in the morning for the best conditions.
3.  Pack shade & stake it: Although there are trees along the beach, they are not plentiful and not all areas are shaded.
4.  Use dry ice in coolers - Logan grocery stores stock it, handy for multiday camping. I’m sure there are some closer stores between Logan and Hyrum.
5.  Mind irrigation drawdowns – Late August water levels can drop due to area needs. It is recommended to check the park’s Facebook page for ramp extensions.

Final Thoughts

When we visited Hyrum State Park, it was quickly apparent that it wasn’t Utah’s biggest reservoir or flashiest attraction. But that is exactly its charm. Located in a small town, locals teach kids to fish, college students sneak post-finals swims and winter die-hards haul perch through crystalline ice.

All while the Wellsville Mountains stand guard against the western skyline and the Little Bear River feeds a small lake that has quenched valley fields for nearly a century. Hyrum State Park proves that sometimes Utah’s best moments happen in some of the smallest and relatively unknown places.

Hyrum State Park
Address: 405 W 300 S, Hyrum, UT 84319
Phone: (435) 245-6866
Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/hyrum/

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