Willard Bay State Park

Photo: Travel Utah

Only A Dike Separates This Freshwater Oasis From The Great Salt Lake

Just 50 miles north of Salt Lake City, Willard Bay State Park offers a refreshing escape from the Utah summer heat. With its large 9,900-acre freshwater reservoir, a lot of people prefer this lake due to the warmer temperatures as compared to the higher altitude lakes.

The reservoir was formed when a dike was built in 1964 to separate the waters flowing into this area from the Great Salt Lake. This reservoir, filled by the Weber and Ogden Rivers, provides a haven for boating, fishing, camping and even wildlife viewing. The park is divided into two main areas: the North and South Marinas. Each offers its own unique amenities for visitors.​

We used to stop occasionally at this park on our way to the cabin in Logan Canyon. I remember years ago when we stopped and spent several hours sliding down the water slide. They were the rage back then and the mid-summer temperatures always invited water activities.

Willard Bay is one of the top 10 most visited Utah State Parks. There are several reasons for this:

• Location and access. It is close to the major northern Utah metro areas.
• Warmer water and warmer temperatures. It isn’t stuck at a high attitude which naturally means colder and lower temperatures.
• It is a large body of water allowing for considerably more boat traffic than other reservoirs.
• There are lots of trees providing a cooling summer shade along parts of the beach and in the campgrounds.

Willard Bay State Park is ranked as the 9th biggest lake or reservoir in Utah on the lists I have seen. It is just a little smaller than Yuba.

Recreation and Activities at Willard Bay State Park

Boating and Water Sports

Willard Bay is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. Both marinas offer boat launch ramps. The North Marina provides seasonal and transient boat slip rentals. A transient rental period is a short-term (typically less than 30 days) rental of a space to dock a boat or store a boat.

Water skiing, jet skiing and paddleboarding are common activities especially during the warmer months.​ Several people we know prefer boating and water sports at Willard as the temperatures are much warmer at its lower altitude than at the mountain reservoirs.

It just means warmer air temperatures and warmer water temperatures similar to Yuba. Sand Hollow is at another level of warmth due its southern location.

Fishing

Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish but features Walleye and Wipers. Wipers, a hybrid of white bass and striped bass, are particularly sought after for their vigorous fight. Other species found here are Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and Bluegill.

Popular fishing spots include the northeast corner near Fremont Cove, the inlet channel at the South Marina and the area known as "the Island" northwest of the South Marina.

Swimming and Beaches

Pelican Beach at the North Marina is a favorite for swimmers offering sandy shores and cabanas for day use. There are quite a few mature trees near this area also providing some much-needed shade during scorching summer days. The warm summer waters make it an ideal spot for families looking to relax and cool off. ​

Wildlife Viewing and Birding

The park is a haven for bird watchers especially during the winter months when bald eagles migrate to the area. The Linda C. Higley Nature Trail provides a mile-long hike with opportunities to spot various bird species including loons and terns.​ Willard isn’t far from the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. It is just over 20 miles north.

Recent Addition: Willard Bay Sauna

A recent enhancement to the park is the addition of a traditional Finnish-style sauna near the reservoir's shore. This softwood structure offers visitors a healthful refuge during the colder months. It, of course, comes complete with views of the Wasatch Range. Sessions can be booked online. The facility includes an outdoor shower and lounge area. ​

Photo: Travel Utah

Camping and Accommodations

North Marina

The North Marina features 62 campsites with amenities such as modern restrooms, hot showers, sewage disposal stations and full RV hookups. The area is ADA accessible and offers beach access, picnic shelters and a ranger station.​

South Marina

Open from April through October, the South Marina provides 30 campsites. 24 of them have full hookups. Facilities include modern restrooms, hot showers and a boat launch. This area is also ADA accessible and offers picnic shelters and wildlife viewing opportunities.​

Group Camping

Group camping is available at Pelican Beach. It can accommodate up to 200 people. The site includes a picnic area, restrooms and parking for up to 25 vehicles or 16 RVs. Thousands of white pelicans nest on Gunnison Island (34 miles west) and Hat Island (28 miles SW) in the Great Salt Lake so maybe it gets its name from that.

Photo: Travel Utah

Events and Programs

Fantasy at the Bay Light Show

During the holiday season, the park hosts the "Fantasy at the Bay" light show. It is a drive-through display featuring festive lights and 3D glasses for an enhanced experience.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Each spring, the park organizes a large Easter egg hunt with thousands of eggs hidden around the Willard Peak Pond area. It attracts families from across the region.

Junior Ranger Program

Children aged 6 to 12 can participate in the Junior Ranger program. They learn about the park's ecology and earn a badge and certificate upon completion.

Unique and Lesser-Known Facts

• Arthur V. Watkins Dam: The reservoir was created by constructing a 36-foot-high earth-filled dike in 1964 named after U.S. Senator Arthur V. Watkins. He was instrumental in pushing the Weber Basin Project through Congress in 1949.
• Wildlife Diversity: Beyond bald eagles, the park is home to over 200 bird species. Some of these include hawks, herons, and owls making it a year-round destination for bird enthusiasts.
• Environmental Efforts: The park has implemented measures to monitor and manage harmful blooms of algae. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and other organizations have been working to reduce nutrient pollution which can fuel these growths. This includes efforts to control agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge and atmospheric deposition.
• Atmospheric deposition is the process where gases and particles in the atmosphere are removed and deposited on the surface of the Earth. This can be either through wet processes (like rain or snow) or dry processes (like settling or absorption). These particles can include both natural substances and human-made pollutants.
• Willard Bay State Park is one of Utah’s top 10 most-visited Utah State Parks.
• Willard Bay is the 9th biggest lake/reservoir … one is natural, the other is man-made ... in Utah.

Park Information and Fees

I am including the current fees here but they seemingly change every year. See the link below for updated fee information.

• Park Hours: Open year-round from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Day Use Fee: $10 per vehicle
• Camping Fees:  North Marina: $25 per night for full hookup sites. South Marina: $25 per night for full hookup sites; $15 for tent-only sites
• Group Camping: Pelican Beach Group Campground is $350 per night. There is also a $200 refundable cleaning deposit much like an Airbnb.
• Boat Slip Rentals:  A Dock (full hookups): $700–$900 per season. B Dock (no hookups): $500–$650 per season
• To keep abreast of fees … they are ever-changing … go to the state website.  https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/willard-bay/
• To make reservations for any of the facilities, go to the Reserve America site.  Reservations are highly recommended due to the popularity of this park

Willard Bay State Park
900 West 650 North #A, Willard, UT 84340-9999
Phone: (435) 734-9494
Website: stateparks.utah.gov/parks/willard-bay

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Wasatch Mountains

Lake Powell

Zion National Park

Arches National Park

Great Salt Lake

Monument Valley