TOP 5 LAKES TO PADDLEBOARD NEAR SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
A short and sweet list of where to paddleboard, compiled by data from our staff and guests.
Where to paddleboard (SUP) near SLC?
The Wasatch Front is home to dozens of beautiful lakes and reservoirs scattered throughout the mountains and valley. Unfortunately for most of us, our days off are limited and we don’t have time to drive to dozens of lakes and figure out which ones are worth our time. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our staff and customer’s top rated lakes & reservoirs to SUP or Kayak in near SLC.
A few tips that apply to any lake:
-The early bird catches the worm, so get up early and eat breakfast at the lake. Any lake on this list can (and will) get busy on the weekends, so make sure to beat the crowds!
– Safety First! You should always have a life jacket, ankle leash, and whistle when paddle boarding on any lake!
– Bring cash! Many reservoirs and parks do not have card readers or charge an extra fee to use a card.
– We recommend renting inflatable paddle boards and inflatable kayaks from a shop in the valley (like ours!) it’s almost always cheaper than renting at the lake.
*List last updated in July 2021
#1 – Causey Reservoir
We love Causey because of it’s surreal landscape that enchants you with tall canyon walls and tranquil water, surrounded by thick green forest full of adventure, and on top of all that magic, no motorized watercraft are allowed. Your first time paddling at Causey will be something you’ll never forget.
Causey’s 140 acre body of water is a haven for a paddler on SUP or kayaks, swimmers, divers, and fishers. You can even bring your canine best friend along as dogs are more than welcome in this neck of the woods.
If you or someone in your group is not a fan of the water, there are plenty of other activities in the surrounding area, including plentiful wildlife watching, a variety of hiking trails, car camping, backpacking, mountaineering, and more.
Conclusion:
Causey is an absolute must for any Utahn or traveler, this breathtaking reservoir is perfect for any level paddler thanks to it’s no motorized boat policy. Causey is also great for family adventures as alcohol is prohibited and there are no fees for entrance or parking.
Pros:
-Beautiful Views
-Free Parking
-No boats (great for beginners!)
-Dogs allowed
-Nearby Camping & Hiking
-Fishing
Cons:
-Distance from SLC (~1 hour 20 mins)
-Busy on weekends
-Lack of amenities
-No boats (if that’s your thing)
Address
Skull Crack Canyon Rd.
Huntsvillle, UT 84317
41.303086194960436, -111.58640739132605
Info
visitogden.com
Time from AJ to Causey: 1 hour 20mins
Distance from AJ to Causey: 71.2 miles
No parking fees
Boats Prohibited
Alcohol Prohibited
Amenities:
Small Parking Lot
Nearby Car Camping
Public Restrooms
Cliff Jumping
Hiking Trails
#2 – Tibble Fork Reservoir / Silver Lake Flat
Tibble Fork is a beloved medium sized lake located at the heart of American Fork Canyon. This delightful spot is surround by thick green forest, gorgeous mountain views, and is only a short drive away from our shops in Sandy, UT.
Tibble Fork is a fantastic place for beginner paddle boarders thanks to it’s non-motorized boat policy, nifty dock for launching, and extremely close walk from car to shore. This family friendly reservoir also features a fairly decent size sandy beach for hanging out with family, grillin’ dogs, and enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Tibble Fork is not secret to locals of Utah County, so it can get pretty busy, especially on the weekends. However there is a lesser known lake called Silver Lake Flat Reservoir located just a couple miles past Tibble Fork. Silver Lake does require you to drive on a dirt road, however many of our staff and guest have taken basic sedans no problem. Of course, explore with caution!
Conclusion:
Tibble Fork Reservoir is a local favorite just a short drive up scenic American Fork Canyon, and is the ideal place for families and beginner paddleboarders thanks to it’s sandy beach, launch dock, and restricted motorized boat access. If Tibble Fork is too busy, take the dirt road up to Silver Lake Flat Reservoir.
Pros:
-Beautiful Views & Scenic Drive
-Beginner Friendly (No Boats)
-Launch Dock for SUP & Kayak
-Sandy Beach (Great for families!)
-Close walk from car to water
Cons:
– Very busy on weekends and holidays
– $6 General Day Use Fee
Address
American Fork Canyon Rd.
American Fork, UT 84003
40.48242419583677, -111.64407821892354
Info
utahvalley.com
Time from AJ to Tibble: 50 mins
Distance from AJ to Tibble: 31.1 miles
General Day Use Fee: $6.00
Annual Park Pass: $45.00
Boats Prohibited
Amenities:
Sandy Beach
Paved Parking Lot
Public Restrooms
Kayak/SUP Dock
Car Camping Nearby
Hiking Trails
#3 – East Canyon State Park
East Canyon State Park is a local favorite rooted in deep Pioneer history and tucked away in the mountains just north east of SLC, and is a paradise for paddle boarders, campers, hikers, history buffs, and boaters alike.
The reason our staff and customers love East Canyon time and time again is because of the variety of activities and amenities offered at the lake and the absolutely gorgeous drive through Highway 65 and Emigration Canyon. This cloistered paradise features plenty of area to picnic while taking a break from paddlin’ (even has pavilions and tables), offers modern restrooms (with showers), and has plenty of camping and hiking nearby. However these amenities due come at a cost of $20/car to enter the park.
East Canyon, while great for beginners who plan to rest and enjoy the other amenities, can be tough for first timers due to the amount of boats and jet skis found on the water. If you plan to SUP at East Canyon we definitely recommend a life jacket and ankle leash!
Conclusion:
East Canyon is a historic watersports and outdoor enthusiast paradise featuring modern amenities, rental shops, food, and plenty of activities. Just a quick 45 minute drive from downtown SLC through two beautiful canyons. The downsides to this haven is the $20 entrance fee and abundance of motorized watercraft.
Pros:
– Scenic Drive
– Proximity to SLC
– Modern Amenities
– Nearby Camping & Lodging
– Historical Landmark
Cons:
– Very busy on weekends and holidays
– $20 Entrance Fee per Car
– Can get windy
– Boats and jet skis
Address
East Canyon State Park
5535 South Highway 66
Morgan, UT 84050
Info
stateparks.utah.gov
Time from AJ to E. Canyon: 49 mins
Distance from AJ to E. Canyon.: 34.4 miles
General Day Use Fee: $20.00
Click here to view all fees
Click here to view current conditions
Amenities:
General Goods & Rental Stores
Lodging, Yurts, & Cabin Rental
Paved Boat Ramps & Boat Rental
Day-Use Pavilions
Modern Restrooms & Showers
Concession Services
#4 – Jordanelle State Park / Deer Creek Res.
Jordanelle Reservoir is one of Utah’s more popular state parks due to it’s close proximity to Salt Lake City and Park City, as well as it’s large size and variety of activities and amenities offered. Jordanelle is split into 3 main areas for recreational use, Hailstone Recreation Area, Rock Cliff Recreation Area, and Ross Creek Recreation Area.
Hailstone is the state-of-the-art development area of Jordanelle featuring a 8-lane boat ramp, dry storage, full-service marina shop, and pro shop. Rock Cliff is a cozier more natural area with easy access to animal / bird watching, walk-in campgrounds, fish cleaning station, river access, and nature center. Ross Creek is the furthest north of the three and provides access to hiking trails, paved parking, and a non-motorized boat ramp. For SUP and Kayakers we recommend either Rock Cliff or Ross Creek entrances.
Jordanelle State Park is a huge reservoir with lots of opportunity for any adventurer, but this does come at a small cost. Day-use fees range from $10 – $20, and parking fills up quick on weekends, so make sure to arrive early! Jordanelle is known to get a little windy as well, and combined with boats, jet-skis, and other watercraft, this can make for some unstable water, so make sure to check the weather before heading out.
If the Jordanelle is looking too busy or not quite up your alley, consider checking out Deer Creek Reservoir, located just 20 minutes south on highway 189 from Jordanelle. Deer Creek offers windsurfing, boating, zipline, and of course is another fantastic spot for paddling thanks to the smaller crowd size and less overall boats. Please note Deer Creek does not allow dogs.
Conclusion:
Jordanelle State Park is a popular local spot to paddle and adventure thanks to it’s overall large size, and modern amenities and events offered. However, these luxurious adventures due come at a cost of around $20 to get into the park, and the parking lot fills up quickly on weekends. If the Jordanelle parking lot is full consider heading over to Deer Creek just 20 minutes down the road.
Pros:
– Proximity to SLC & PC
– Lots of modern amenities
– Nearby camping and hiking
– Dogs allowed (at Jordanelle only)
– Variety of activities and events in the area
Cons:
– Very busy on weekends and holidays
– $20 Entrance Fee per Car
– Can get windy
– Boats and jet skis
Address
Jordanelle State Park
Wasatch County, UT
40.62357988306948, -111.40904815096263
Info
stateparks.utah.gov
Time from AJ to Jordanelle: 47 mins
Distance from AJ to Jordanelle.: 40.2 miles
General Day Use Fee: $20.00
Click here to view all fees
Click here to view current conditions
Amenities:
General Goods & Rental Stores
Pro Shops & Marina Shops
Boat Ramps & Storage
RV, Tent, Group, and Cabin Camping
Cabanas & Pavillions
Fish Cleaning Station
Geocache Adventure
Event Center
#5 – The Great Salt Lake / Antelope Island
The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere, and can offer gorgeous picturesque panoramic views during sunrise or sunset thanks to it’s reflective water and open area. If you haven’t explored the GSL before, it’s an absolute must for any Utah resident or guest.
We loved the Great Salt Lake for paddle boarding, not only because the beautiful views, but also because it is a shallower lake (roughly 13′ deep on average) making it great for building confidence on your paddleboard and feeling comfortable no matter your skill level. Although the GSL is not very deep, it is so incredibly large that at times it feels like you’re paddling in the ocean!
If you’re going to head to the Great Salt Lake we highly recommend checking out Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island is located within the Great Salt Lake and can be most easily accessed via a two-lane road running from mainland to island. Antelope Island is awesome because of the abundant wildlife (including bison, antelope, deer, sheep & more), and the island itself dates back to 1.7 billion years ago.
While the Great Salt Lake is a fantastic place to visit, it does have a few downsides. First off, the hyper-saline environment creates a very rich sulfide smell that’s very strong throughout the lake and surrounding area. Secondly, there are a lot of flies and gnats in the area, and while they are harmless, they can be annoying. Overall though, we think these couple flaws do not outweigh the many pros.
Conclusion: The Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island State Parks are a one-of-a-kind area with gorgeous views, reflective teal water, and awesome wildlife, while having some flaws like a strong sulfur smell and lots of bugs. This area is great for paddle boards thanks to shallow waters and plenty of room to explore.
Pros:
– Proximity to SLC
– Large Size
– Unique Views
– Shallow Water
– No motorized watercraft
Cons:
– Sulfur Smell
– Lots of bugs
– $5.00 Day Use Fee
– Can be windy
Address
Great Salt Lake State Park
13312 West 1075 South
Magna, UT 84044
Info
stateparks.utah.gov
Time from AJ to GSL: 35 mins
Distance from AJ to GSL.: 31.3 miles
General Day Use Fee: $5.00
Click here to view all fees
Click here to view current conditions
Amenities:
Marina & Yacht Club
Island Buffalo Grill – Restaurant
Saltair Resort
Partial Hook-Up Campsites
Self Guided Tours & e-Bike Tours
Mountain Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Wildlife Watching
