Utah Lake State Park

A Massive Inland Sea Hiding in Plain Sight

Utah Lake State Park sits right on the western edge of Provo … just minutes from I-15 … and is the gateway to one of the most surprising bodies of water in the entire Intermountain West … Utah Lake.

It is Utah’s largest natural freshwater lake covering some 95,000 acres. It is the third biggest lake in the state behind the Great Salt Lake and Lake Powell. Utah Lake State Park, located on its eastern shore, is the best way to access and enjoy it. Many people drive right past without knowing there is a Utah State Park there.

Even so, this park is a hub for boating, fishing, camping, birdwatching and Utah Valley’s surprising history. I’ll be honest that I didn’t know much about this lake before doing the research for this article and visiting the park myself.

I had read an overview on a fishing site about the lake smelling bad and being extremely muddy. I remember back to when the Geneva Steel smokestacks spewed pollutants into the surrounding area 24 hours a day way back when I first got to Utah.

Inversions combined with what was coming out of those chimneys made the smog in Utah County every bit as bad as those we experienced in the Salt Lake Valley. I had also read that, in recent years, there had been major attempts to clean up the lake and the surrounding areas. 

Well, all those negative things I read about this lake must have been from another era. My wife and I just visited Utah Lake and, I must tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. My son accompanied us and his only memory of Utah Lake wasn’t pleasant.

He had been invited on a boating excursion more than twenty years ago and wasn’t sure what to expect. He remembered the lake being shallow, muddy and not smelling good. Of course, that was a couple decades ago. He was as pleasantly surprised as I was.

What Is It Like Now?

On our way down to Utah County from our home in Holladay, we drove over the top of the Suncrest development above Draper which overlooks the entire valley both north and south of the Point of the Mountain. We wanted to get an overhead view of the lake to show just how massive it is.

I hadn’t really ever noticed how immense the lake really is. It actually covers 24 miles from tip to tip and is around 13 miles wide. This size becomes even more apparent as you drive up to its shores.

As we got back on I-15 headed south from going over the top, we followed the signs until we got to Exit 265. Being an alumnus and former football player at the University of Utah, my stomach always gets a little queezy the further into Coog-ville (our biggest rival) I venture. Just kidding. Sort of.

The park is only about 2 ½ miles west of I-15 in Provo. As we drove up to the lake, the first thing we noticed is that any stories about the lake’s level being low and the shore being muddy were no longer true. As for any smell, the wind was blowing and the only noticeable smell was that of a typical large body of water. Not unpleasant at all.

What You Can Do at Utah Lake State Park

The marina buildings and playground area looked quite new and well-maintained. The whole park was rather pleasant and well laid-out. There was plenty of parking although it wasn’t needed the spring day we were there.

We learned that whether you’re here for a morning of paddling or a weekend of camping and boating, Utah Lake State Park has a varied and entertaining menu.

Boating and Water Sports

The park has a modern four-lane concrete boat ramp, fuel dock and marina slips. In summer, the lake is a favorite for:

• Wakeboarding and tubing
• Jet skiing
• Kayaking and paddleboarding
• Sailing and even windsurfing

The water looked clean as the lake was at its maximum depth. I’ve read that the water here is warm … often topping 75° F in the summer … and wide open due to the massive size of the lake.

This size makes it ideal for boating without feeling crowded even on busy weekends. Standing on the shore and looking in each direction, I was amazed how big it actually is.

Fishing

Utah Lake is one of the best warm-water fisheries in the state. Popular catches include:

• Channel catfish (Utah’s state record came from this lake)
• Walleye
• White bass
• Black bass
• Bullhead and bluegill
• And then there’s the June sucker. The only place in the world this fish exists. It helps give this lake some its negative connotation. Disdain is a word I have seen used for this fish.

Fishing is good from boats, the shoreline or even the accessible fishing piers within the park. A long paved road leads out into the lake and it has seemingly unlimited spots to fish along the shore. There were dozens of people doing so when we were there.

I’ve read that the lake does freeze during the winter … at times … but is very untrustworthy. The freeze is uneven and I certainly wouldn’t test it. Some people do and enjoy ice fishing on it. Our recent warmer winters are not conducive to safety and definitely require caution.

Camping

The Lakeshore Campground (open April 1–October 31) looked very pleasant with a lot of mature trees and shade. It has:

• 31 RV-friendly sites with water & 30-amp hookups
• Room for trailers up to 40 feet
• Fire pits, picnic tables, and awnings at every site
• Restrooms and showers nearby

There is also an RV park just outside the park. It also looked pleasant with a lot of shade trees.

Reservations fill fast during spring and summer weekends so book early. You can do that here: Reserve America.

Birdwatching and Wildlife Viewing

The lake sits along the Pacific Flyway and the marshes around Utah Lake are important stopovers for migratory birds. Keep an eye out for:

• White pelicans
• Great blue herons
• Ospreys and bald eagles
• Avocets, stilts and grebes

You may even spot muskrats, beavers and the occasional deer in the surrounding wetlands.

A Lake Shaped by Ice, Earthquakes, and Time

Utah Lake wasn’t formed by accident. During the Ice Age, it was part of Lake Bonneville. This was a freshwater sea that once covered much of western Utah. Over thousands of years, it shrunk and dispersed into the separate basins we know today … Great Salt Lake, Sevier Lake and Utah Lake.

A major fault line runs along the lake’s east side. As tectonic shifts lifted the Wasatch Mountains, the basin that now holds Utah Lake dropped forming what geologists call a "graben" (a block of land that sinks between faults).

The result? A large, shallow lake with incredibly fertile shores and plenty of water. Utah Lake has a maximum depth of just under 14 feet. It has an average depth of 10 ½ feet.

This is why the lake can become “cloudy” as stiff winds can stir up sediments from the bottom of the lake. This gives one the impression that it is “muddy” and polluted. 

Long Before Statehood: Native Peoples and the Timpanogots

Centuries before it became a state park, this lake supported one of the largest bands of the Ute tribe … the Timpanogots. Their name … which now survives in Mount Timpanogos and Timpanogos Cave … comes from the combination of “Tumpi” (rock) and “Panogos” (canyon stream).

The Timpanogots lived in permanent villages near the lake. They built homes, fished the waters, and used tule reeds from the wetlands to construct canoes, mats and shelters.

European trappers and explorers … including Father Escalante in 1776 … wrote about the rich fish populations and indigenous settlements here long before Mormon pioneers arrived.

Environmental Challenges and Restoration Efforts

Utah Lake does still have its issues though.

Water Quality & Algal Blooms

In recent years, Utah Lake has made headlines for algal blooms during the hottest summer months. The cause? Nutrient buildup from historic wastewater, invasive species like common carp and shallow water levels that allow sunlight to penetrate too deeply.

The good news? Huge restoration efforts are underway and appear to be working.

The Provo River Delta Restoration Project

Currently one of the largest habitat-restoration projects in the state, this effort is rebuilding the natural delta wetlands where the Provo River meets Utah Lake. It is specifically designed to restore habitat for the endangered June sucker.

This fish, although considered a trash fish, is found nowhere else on Earth. That doesn’t make it any more attractive however. The project is also creating new walking trails, boardwalks and, eventually, a massive urban-wildlife interface that will help people develop a closer connection to the water.

Park Facilities and Visitor Info

• Address: 4400 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601
• Phone: (801) 375-0731
• Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM year-round
• Camping Reservations: Reserve America 
• Day-Use Fee: $10 per vehicle
• Senior Day-Use Fee: $5
• Annual State Parks Pass: $75 (or $65 for Utah seniors)
• Always check the state site for update fee information.

Facilities include:

• Boat ramps and fuel dock
• Fish-cleaning stations
• Restrooms with hot showers
• Shaded picnic areas
• ADA-accessible docks and bathrooms

Final Thoughts

Utah Lake State Park is far more than just a boat ramp. It is a year-round retreat with history, scenery, wildlife and easy access. While the lake’s reputation has taken a hit over the years, ongoing restoration efforts are bringing it back to life.

I thought it was rather a pleasant environment … even delightful … especially in the park itself. And it is far closer than I ever realized.

Utah Lake State Park
4400 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601
Phone: (801) 375-0731
Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/utah-lake/

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