The list of things that make Park City unique among ski resort towns is endless – close proximity to a major airport, the number of our resorts that are consistently rated in the top 10, the unmatched trail system, to mention just a few.
What’s not often highlighted on that list, but should be, is our amazing rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. In this post, we’re taking you out on the water in Park City!
The Jordanelle Reservoir
This 10+-mile body of water makes Park City a truly year-round outdoor sports haven with boating, fishing, camping, and much more.
Quick Facts About the Jordanelle Reservoir
- Construction on the dam began in 1987 and was completed in 1993.
- The reservoir was originally built for functional purposes, but locals saw the recreation potential.
- It opened as a state park in 1995 and has since expanded to become one of the most popular spots in Park City for fun on the water.
Activities at the Jordanelle
The Jordanelle Reservoir offers a wide range of year-round activities, ranging from ice fishing to paddleboarding. In the summer, when you’re not lounging at the beach, the fishing is fantastic with stocked catches of brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and more fed by the Provo River. There’s also boating, wakeboarding, tubing, swimming, kayaking, jet skiing, and more. You can rent equipment at Jordanelle Rentals and Marina.
Deer Creek
Below the Jordanelle and also fed by the Provo River, Deer Creek State Park and the Deer Creek Reservoir is another popular spot for summer water recreation.
Quick Facts About Deer Creek Reservoir
- Completed in 1941, the reservoir was originally designed for municipal use.
- The reservoir is about 6 miles long with 18 miles of shoreline.
- Deer Creek is home to the world’s longest zip line over water at 3,900 feet long!
Deer Creek Reservoir Activities
Like the Jordanelle, Deer Creek is a premier destination for fishing, boating, sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. Its sandy beaches are the perfect place to post up for the day and enjoy fun in the sun. If you’re looking for a great way to “kick the kids outside,” look no further than the Rainow Bay Aqua Park. This giant inflated island on the water offers kids an innumerable number of ways to jump, flip, slide and climb. They’ll have the time of their lives!
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The Provo River
This winding river flows from the Uinta Mountains to Lake Utah, feeding multiple reservoirs en route.
Quick Facts About the Provo River
- The Ute Indians called the river Timpanoquint, which means “water running over rocks.”
- The river is about 80 miles long.
- It’s split into three sections: Upper Provo flows from the Uintas to the Jordanelle, Middle Provo connects the Jordanelle to Deer Creek, and Lower Provo flows from Deer Creek through Provo Canyon to Lake Utah.
Provo River Activities
You’ll find excellent fishing along the Provo River, but Middle Provo in particular is known for fly fishing! Floating the Provo is also a popular activity on a hot summer afternoon. Groups like High Country Adventure offer gear rental and shuttles for such excursions. You can also kayak and raft on the Provo with local outfitters like Pro Rafting Tours. Don’t forget a life jacket for this high-adrenaline activity!
Park City is one of the top places to live if you’re looking for a home base for recreating in Utah. In addition to numerous state parks and gorgeous scenery, you’ll also find many National Parks nearby.
Weber River
Starting northwest of the Uinta Mountains, the Weber River is a 125-mile-long river that empties into the Great Salt Lake.
Quick Facts About Weber River
- The river was named after John Henry Weber, an American explorer and fur trader.
- It’s part of the Weber Basin Project with the US Bureau of Reclamation.
- The Weber River is home to ‘Hidden Wirelettuce’, a rare plant found on the rocky shores.
Weber River Activities
In the summer, the Weber River is home to excellent scenic rafting, tubing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Anglers love the river for its rainbow trout, Bonneville cutthroat, mountain whitefish, and more. You can also take in the mysterious Devil’s Slide rock formation from the water.
Smith and Morehouse Reservoir
This picturesque lake is a local favorite for its beautiful scenery and accessible location. It’s part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Quick Facts About the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir
- The original dam was built in the 1920s and was updated in the late 1980s.
- The reservoir is another high-altitude body of water at about 7,900 feet above sea level.
Smith and Morehouse Reservoir Activities
The reservoir is known for its canoeing, fishing, and kayaking. The reservoir is open to motorized boats; however, speed limits are enforced. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife watching with many animals, including moose, deer, and bears, calling the area home. Nearby, the Smith and Morehouse Trail is popular with advanced hikers and backpackers.
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Rockport Reservoir
Located in Rockport State Park, this reservoir is a beautiful recreational hub with an interesting history!
Rockport Reservoir Quick Facts
- The reservoir is home to the submerged town of Rockport, originally settled in the 1800s.
- It was certified as an International Dark Sky Place in 2021.
Rockport Reservoir Activities
In the summer, you can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. The area is popular for camping as well, with RV and tent sites available. Stick around after the sun goes down and enjoy spectacular stargazing at this gorgeous certified Dark Sky Place.
Echo Reservoir
Located about 30 minutes north of Park City, Echo Reservoir is part of the popular Echo State Park.
Echo Reservoir Quick Facts
- Originally built in 1931 as part of the Weber River Project.
- Echo State Park officially became a state park in 2018
Echo Reservoir Activities
The reservoir is popular for boating, including power boating, jet skiing, water skiing, and wakeboarding. At the marina, you can rent pontoons, boats, and more. You can also enjoy fishing here with trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass (although avid anglers will tell you spring and winter ice fishing are best). In addition to camping sites, the reservoir also has several sandy beaches for swimming.
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Uinta Mountains
If you’re looking for pristine, alpine lakes with some of the most beautiful vistas you’ve ever experienced, we recommend heading into the Uinta Mountain range and visiting any number of the amazing lakes. Locals have dubbed this the Mirror Lake Highway. It’s one of the most popular scenic mountain driving routes, and it will take you to numerous amazing water spots.
Uintas Quick Facts
- There are over 1,000 natural lakes in the Uintas.
- Many of the lakes in the mountains are glacial in origin.
- With so many alpine lakes, the water temperature here is quite cold even during the summer months.
Uintas Lakes Activities
Many lakes in the Uintas are accessible by road; there are many others that are more remote and only accessible by hiking. Mirror Lake is probably the most popular, with its serene waters and stunning reflection of Bald Mountain. The lake is famous for fishing and non-motorized boating. While we don’t have the space to name all the lakes here, other popular spots include Wall Lake for its cliff diving, Red Castle Lakes for their incredible remote scenery that resembles (you guessed it!) a castle.
We Will See You on the Water?
Here at Chin Fleming Harris Luxury Resort Real Estate, we love spending time on the water in the summer. It’s just one of the many reasons we love living in Park City. If you’re thinking about making a move here, we’d love to show you around.
Get in touch by filling in the form below, giving us a call, or sending us an email.
