By: Olivia Hudak on October 6th, 2022

Top 5 Lakes to Boat on in Utah

Utah is a state known for its National Parks and outstanding sights. There are a ton of natural beauties throughout the state and sights to see. There are mountains for hiking and skiing, stunning National Parks, and beautiful lakes unlike any other in the United States. 

Lakes in Utah range from saltwater to freshwater, from deep in the canyons to up in the mountains. If you’re looking for an adventure, I highly recommend packing up and heading to one of these bodies of water, they won’t disappoint. 

This article will walk you through the top five most popular lakes in Utah and what makes them worth visiting. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty more where this came from, nonetheless, these five have earned their place so let's dig into what makes them so enticing.

1. Lake Powell

Lake Powell is known all around the world for its jaw-dropping views and unique natural attractions. People travel from all over to enjoy the views by boat or by hiking around the lake. It is secluded, so those are the only ways to truly access the beauty of this lake. 

Lake Powell is located on the Utah-Arizona border. Most of the lake is located in Utah however, the southern portion of the lake lives in Arizona. Because of its location, you can expect exceptionally warm weather during the summer months. The desert weather makes a lake trip feel even more like a getaway to paradise. 

From houseboats to wake boats to speed boats to pontoons, anything is welcome on Lake Powell. If you’re traveling without your own boat, there are marinas located along the shoreline that have different types of boats for rent. You can just show up, rent a boat, and you’ll be exploring all the nooks and inlets of Lake Powell in no time. 

This lake is perfect for almost all kinds of boating, the exception being sailing. Sailing is difficult on this lake because the tall canyons that surround it block a lot of the wind. However, this exact reason makes it ideal for watersports or just a relaxing cruise. No need to worry about white cap waves unless it's storming. At that point, hopefully, you’re safely off the water. 

Lake Powell is a very popular lake for fishing. Although there are many different types of fish, the most common species are Bass, Catfish, Panfish, and Walleye. Enjoy a calm beautiful morning on the waters of Lake Powell fishing with your favorite fishing buddy. This is a fishing hotspot you won’t want to ignore if you plan to visit Utah.

Another great aspect of Lake Powell is how unique the scenery is.  The red canyon walls provide unique views unlike any other lake in the United States. If you plan to make a visit, you may want to do so in the near future as climate changes have impacted the water levels over the past few years. It is a concern that soon, Lake Powell will not exist. Plan a trip while you have the opportunity to enjoy the water.

1. Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Flaming Gorge Reservoir is one lake you won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit while in Utah, especially if you’re a fishing enthusiast. This reservoir is famous for its trophy-winning lake Trout. Other fishing species include Kokanee salmon, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, and Smallmouth bass.

Besides just being a great spot for fishing, Flaming Gorge is perfect for any kind of boating. Be prepared if you choose watersports because the water always stays a little chillier than some of the more southern lakes in Utah. Be prepared for a brisk early morning water ski or a quick swim.

Another popular activity on Flaming Gorge Reservoir is scuba diving. Interesting for a lake, right? This lake is over 400 feet deep in some places making it perfect for exploring the underwater shelves. Check out all these activities for your next vacation.

1. Bear Lake

Bear Lake is also known as “The Caribbean of the Rockies”, because of its bright blue-turquoise water. The color of the water is caused by a reflection of the limestone deposits on the water. This phenomenon causes the water to appear bright blue just like you would find in the Caribbean. 

This gorgeous lake sits at an elevation of 5,924 feet which is a pretty high elevation for a lake. During the summer months, it is a hotspot for boaters for many reasons. The lake is very deep making it perfect for wake-surfing, wake-boarding, and waterskiing. No matter what kind of boating you prefer, Bear Lake has great conditions for anything. 

Fishermen also love this lake because it is full of a diverse range of species. Popular species found in the lake include Bonneville cutthroat trout, Bonneville cisco, Bonneville whitefish, and Bear Lake sculpin. These fish draw tourists from all over that are passionate about fishing. It also doesn’t hurt to fish in a beautiful location with wonderful views.

1. Deer Creek Reservoir

Next, we move closer to Salt Lake City making it perfect for a weekend getaway on the water. Deer Creek Reservoir is surrounded by the Uinta Mountains making for a breathtaking background surrounding an already beautiful lake. 

This reservoir was created by the Provo River Project in an effort to aid in water shortages along the Wasatch Front. In the effort, the Deer Creek Reservoir was created allowing boaters to enjoy the area however they please. This reservoir also qualifies as one of the best fishing lakes in the United States. You’ll find an array of different fish species and honey holes throughout. 

The lake is surrounded by sandy beaches making it the perfect place for camping and enjoying some escape from the busy city. There are campgrounds right on the water's edge so you can camp and enjoy your boat all in one place. With the location and beauty of the lake, it’s hard to beat Deer Creek Reservoir. 

Another popular activity on this reservoir is sailing. Winds are very predictable in this area because of how the mountains sit around the lake. If you enjoy sailing or windsurfing, this may be the right lake to head to on your next vacation. 

1. Strawberry Reservoir

Another scenic lake that can be found in the state of Utah is Strawberry Reservoir. Located about an hour and a half outside of Salt Lake City, this lake is an easy place to visit. With several marinas and launches located on the lake, you can easily enjoy time on the water. 

Can you guess what this lake is also famous for? That’s right, fishing. Utah has some good fishing lakes, no doubt about that. You can fish for Kokanee salmon, Cutthroat trout, and Rainbow trout on the Strawberry Reservoir. 

The lake is also quite deep making it ideal for any kind of watersports you prefer. You can wakeboard with the beautiful view of the Uinta Mountains in the background. That would make for some great pictures so be sure to have someone onboard snapping some shots.

Take a Trip to the Beehive State

Utah is full of so many beautiful places to visit. The lakes are no exception to the scenic beauty found in this state. Most are deep lakes that are perfect for boating, watersports, and swimming. Utah lakes are also exceptional for fishing which draws big groups of people yearly.

The lakes in Utah are so unique with the National Parks that surround them and the gorgeous mountains and canyons. Nothing else compares to the sights you will see if you visit a lake in Utah. Plan a trip and check out at least one of these bodies of water, you’ll be blown away.