Boating in Utah

Beautiful Lake Powell in southwestern Utah is the premiere water recreation destination in Utah. Also popular is Bear Lake and wonderful Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in the northern portion of the state. Opportunities on a smaller scale are available on the numerous natural lakes and reservoirs throughout the mountainous areas of Utah (green on map).

Destinations to consider are grouped by region below. Select any destination that interests you for complete information on rentals, outfitters, publications, etc.

NORTHERN UTAH

Bear Lake is an 150 square mile lake set attractively between low, lightly timbered mountains. Minerals in the water give the lake a striking turquoise color. It is popular for boating, water skiing and sailing.

Flaming Gorge NRA contains big clear blue Flaming Gorge Lake. It is surrounded by brightly colored canyon walls and thousands of acres of pretty, forested highlands. It is an excellent setting for boating and fishing.

Provo is Utah's second largest city. Clean and pleasant, it sits between the Wasatch Mountains and 150 square-mile Utah Lake. Though shallow and somewhat murky, the lake offers boating, water skiing and sailing opportunities.

You'll also find numerous reservoirs throughout northern Utah, many of which are large enough for boating. A few of the larger ones are listed below. (By the way, the Great Salt Lake offers surprisingly limited options.)

 

CENTRAL UTAH

Fish Lake is a large natural lake 8,800 feet up in the heavily forested Fishlake Mountains. The water is cold so this is mostly a fishing lake, but you can motor around in small craft.

Green River -- Visitors use this mid-sized town on the Green River as a launching place to cruise the Green River south into Canyonlands National Park. In the park the river merges with the Colorado River, which can be followed upstream to Moab. (See Whitewater Rafting for information on opportunities on the Green River and other rivers in Utah.)

The Wasatch Plateau is an expansive area of forested peaks and rolling hills, alpine meadows and mountain lakes. It contains 2,800 acre Scofield Reservoir and 1,200 acre Joes Valley Reservoir which have boating and water skiing opportunities.

SOUTHEASTERN UTAH

Southeast Utah is desert country, so your boating opportunities here are limited.

Moab -- The Colorado River flows easily beneath tall red canyon walls past Moab and into Canyonlands National Park where it meets the Green River. Outfitters in Moab rent boats and wave runners and lead guided jet boat tours above the confluence. (See Whitewater Rafting for information on opportunities on the Colorado River and other rivers in Utah.)

SOUTHWESTERN UTAH

Lake Powell is a spectacular lake created by the damming of the Colorado River. Its almost 2,000 miles of pretty, tall red rock shoreline exceeds the shoreline of the United Sates' entire west coast. It offers excellent opportunities for house boating, motor boating, water skiing and fishing. Most visitors spend days on the lake and nights camping out under the stars.