Best Lakes for Boating in Utah
Utah is a boater's paradise hiding in plain sight. From the red rock canyons of Lake Powell to the crystal-clear alpine waters of Bear Lake, the Beehive State offers incredible variety for boaters of all types. Here are the best lakes that keep Utah boaters coming back season after season.
Lake Powell (Utah Side)
Lake Powell's northern reaches extend well into Utah, offering access to some of the lake's most spectacular scenery. The Bullfrog and Halls Crossing marinas on the Utah side provide launch access to hidden canyons, slot canyon swimming holes, and miles of houseboatable shoreline.
- Best for: Houseboating, exploration, water sports, fishing
- Utah access: Bullfrog Marina, Halls Crossing
- Pro tip: Bullfrog is a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City but worth every mile
Bear Lake
Straddling the Utah-Idaho border, Bear Lake is known for its striking Caribbean-blue water caused by suspended limestone particles. At 7,800 acres, it offers ample room for water sports, sailing, and fishing. The lake's cold, deep waters harbor the endemic Bonneville cisco — found nowhere else on Earth.
- Best for: Water sports, swimming, sailing, fishing
- Size: 7,800 acres, 20 miles long
- Key launch: Bear Lake State Park Marina or Cisco Beach
- Pro tip: Visit in January for the Cisco Disco — locals dip-net cisco during their annual spawning run
Deer Creek Reservoir
Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City in Heber Valley, Deer Creek is the Wasatch Front's favorite boating lake. Surrounded by mountains and consistently full, it offers excellent sailing, wakeboarding, and rainbow trout fishing in a scenic alpine setting.
- Best for: Sailing, water sports, fishing
- Size: 2,965 acres
- Key launch: Deer Creek State Park
- Pro tip: Afternoon winds make Deer Creek one of the best inland sailing lakes in the West
Jordanelle Reservoir
Located near Park City, Jordanelle is a modern reservoir with excellent facilities and reliable water levels. The main basin is wide open for water sports, while the Provo River arm offers quiet fishing and kayaking in a no-wake zone.
- Best for: Water sports, fishing, kayaking
- Size: 3,200 acres
- Key launch: Rock Cliff Recreation Area
- Pro tip: The no-wake zone in the Provo River arm is a hidden gem for bass fishing and paddleboarding
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
In northeastern Utah, Flaming Gorge is a 42,000-acre reservoir carved through dramatic red and green canyon walls. It's one of the best fishing lakes in the West, with trophy lake trout, smallmouth bass, and kokanee salmon. The remoteness keeps crowds manageable even in peak season.
- Best for: Trophy fishing, scenic cruising, camping
- Size: 42,020 acres, 91 miles long
- Key launch: Lucerne Valley Marina or Cedar Springs Marina
- Pro tip: Fish the deep water near the dam for lake trout exceeding 30 pounds
Willard Bay
A freshwater reservoir along the edge of Great Salt Lake, Willard Bay offers 9,900 acres of warm water boating just an hour north of Salt Lake City. The consistent water temperatures make it popular for water sports, and the walleye and wiper fishing is excellent.
- Best for: Water sports, fishing, family boating
- Size: 9,900 acres
- Key launch: Willard Bay State Park (North or South Marina)
Pineview Reservoir
Nestled in Ogden Valley, Pineview is a warm-water reservoir surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains. It's one of the few Utah lakes warm enough for comfortable swimming and has a well-earned reputation as a premier water sports lake.
- Best for: Water sports, swimming, family boating
- Size: 2,870 acres
- Key launch: Cemetery Point or Anderson Cove
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