Summary
Utah is home to Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Utah’s stunning natural beauty is unparalleled, featuring a multitude of scenic vistas and exceptional recreational opportunities throughout the year.
With significant geographical diversity, Utah offers an extensive selection of environments to explore, from desert dunes and valleys to lush pine forests and towering mountains, along with an array of lakes. For those wishing to experience the tranquility of its lakes, here are the 15 finest lakes in Utah.
1. Great Salt Lake; Salt Lake, Weber, Box Elder & Tooele Counties
With an area of 440,000 hectares, Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. It is a remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville, which once encompassed much of the state.
Known as ‘America’s Dead Sea’, Great Salt Lake serves as a sanctuary for birdwatchers, hosting millions of native birds, shorebirds, and waterfowl, leading to several bird refuges and sanctuaries in the area.
Beyond its avian attractions, visitors engage in a variety of activities such as swimming, kayaking, sailing, picnicking, and camping.
2. Utah Lake; Utah County
This shallow freshwater lake is situated in Utah Valley, framed by picturesque landscapes. At an elevation of 1,368 meters, Utah Lake encompasses a total surface area of 38,000 hectares.
The lake serves various purposes, including water conservation, bird watching, and recreational pursuits such as water skiing, fishing, and boating.
For those preferring terrestrial activities, the area surrounding the lake features numerous hiking trails, along with several resorts and campgrounds.
3. Lake Powell; Garfield, Kane & San Juan counties
This reservoir, positioned along the Colorado River, is shared with neighboring Arizona, although the bulk of it resides within Utah’s borders. Created by the inundation of Glen Canyon, it has evolved into a favored summer retreat.
The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area predominates the lake’s extensive shoreline, which spans over 3,000 kilometers. Angling is particularly popular here due to the lake’s rich bass population.
Lake Powell also features notable landmarks, including the Rainbow Bridge National Monument and Hite Crossing Bridge, and offers visitors the freedom to set up tents without restrictions.
4. Bear Lake; Rich County
Bear Lake is a freshwater lake straddling the Utah-Idaho border. Over 250,000 years old, it is celebrated for its unique turquoise-blue hue.
Spanning 28,000 hectares at an elevation of 1,800 meters, Bear Lake is often referred to as the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’ due to its breathtaking color and surrounding beauty.
This stunning location is also a hub for various activities, including swimming, boating, and camping. Additionally, it houses two state parks, one of which is located on the Utah side of the lake.
5. Deer Creek Reservoir; Wasatch County
This 1,200 hectare lake is the focal point of Deer Creek State Park, which offers 75 campsites, two boat ramps, and several picnic areas.
Deer Creek Reservoir was established in 1971 with the construction of the Deer Creek Dam. Elevated over 1,600 meters, it boasts scenic views of Mount Timpanogos.
Apart from water-based activities, opportunities for zip-lining, mountain biking, and hiking are also available. Nearby, the Wasatch Mountain Golf Course enhances the recreational options.
6. Strawberry Reservoir; Wasatch County
Recognized as Utah’s most celebrated fishing destination, Strawberry Reservoir attracts over 1.5 million angling hours each year. Its waters are teeming with populations of bear lake cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and crayfish.
Nestled in Strawberry Valley, part of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation—home to the Ute Tribe—the reservoir features a marina along its west shoreline, offering various activities like boating and snowmobiling. A lodge with guest accommodations and a dining establishment is also present.
7. Tony Grove Lake; Cache County
Tony Grove Lake is a picturesque body of water located within the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway and the Mount Naomi Wilderness area. It is situated at an elevation of 2,453 meters and can be accessed via a paved road.
This glacial lake is surrounded by vibrant wildflowers during the spring and summer months, complemented by multiple trails in the vicinity.
Overlooking the lake is the Tony Grove Campground, which offers camping facilities along with opportunities for canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, and biking.
8. Jordanelle Reservoir; Wasatch County
Perched above the tranquil Heber Valley, Jordanelle Reservoir presents a serene setting framed by the stunning Mount Timpanogos. Located in the slopes of Bald Mountain along the Provo River, this lake is part of Jordanelle State Park, which features three distinct recreational areas: Hailstone, Ross Creek, and Rock Cliff.
During the summer months, the park hosts various triathlons and marathons, while offering amenities such as a public beach, boating facilities, camping grounds, day-use cabanas, a playground, a nature center, fish cleaning stations, and numerous hiking trails.
9. Fish Lake; Sevier County
This alpine lake, situated within the Fishlake National Forest at an elevation exceeding 2,600 meters above sea level, is utterly breathtaking, nestled within the Mytoge Mountains, providing a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities.
Fish Lake is revered for its exceptional sport fishing, boasting plentiful lake trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch. Visitors can also partake in hiking, cycling, and camping.
In the winter, the lake offers opportunities for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, while autumn turns the surrounding Fishlake National Forest into a beautiful tapestry of colorful foliage.
10. Mirror Lake; Duchesne County
Located within the Uinta Mountains at the base of Bald Mountain, Mirror Lake offers remarkable scenery and opportunities for various recreational activities, including kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
Land-based pursuits such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping are also available. Accessible via the Mirror Lake Highway, which operates exclusively during the summer months, winter access is granted through snowmobile.
11. Flaming Gorge Reservoir; Daggett County
Situated along the Green River, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is bordered by the state of Wyoming and lies in the northeast corner of Utah within the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
This 17,000 hectare lake is the focal point of the recreation area, offering exceptional windsurfing, water-skiing, boating, and fishing opportunities. Furthermore, it presents vast potential for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
For overnight stays, visitors can find various accommodation options along the lake, including campgrounds, log cabins, and hotel rooms.
12. Navajo Lake; Kane County
This small reservoir, situated within the Dixie National Forest in southwestern Utah, is relatively shallow, with a depth of just 7.6 meters, yet it sits at an elevation of 2,754 meters above sea level.
Navajo Lake is an excellent fishing destination, home to brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake trout, along with a significant population of Utah chub.
Visitors engage in fishing, boating, canoeing, and hiking, while the stunning natural environment provides opportunities for camping.
13. Panguitch Lake; Garfield County
Also situated in the Dixie National Forest, Panguitch Lake is a popular destination for tourists. The lake is accompanied by numerous campgrounds, over 160 kilometers of trails, and stunning natural landscapes.
With its tranquil waters surrounded by trees and mountains, wildlife sightings are common. For added enjoyment, visitors can partake in boating, kayaking, and canoeing.
Panguitch Lake derives its name from a Paiute word meaning ‘big fish’, alluding to its population of exceptionally large rainbow trout.
14. Willard Bay; Box Elder County
This artificial freshwater reservoir is an offshoot of Great Salt Lake, having separated from the larger body of water in 1964, and now serves as a source of drinking water for the surrounding region.
Willard Bay has garnered popularity as a recreational destination, offering jet skiing, water-skiing, boating, swimming, and fishing. Land-based activities include hiking, picnicking, and ATV riding.
Winter visits also present opportunities for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Throughout the year, the area features camping facilities, modern restrooms, picnic spots, and fish cleaning stations.
15. Sevier Lake; Millard County
Sevier Lake is situated in the lowest region of the Sevier Desert, and it represents an intermittent and endorheic lake that is part of the ancient Pleistocene Lake Bonneville.
While predominantly dry for most of the year, Sevier Lake is still worth a visit due to its unique surroundings, characterized by expansive sandy areas that enhance its beauty.
The lake is positioned at an elevation of approximately 1,370 meters between the Basin and Range geological province and the Colorado Plateau.
