Three Places to Staycation at Utah Lake

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Swimmers enjoying Utah Lake at Utah Lake State Park

While the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted vacation plans, many are searching for budget-friendly options to get out of the house while maintaining proper social distancing. Lucky for us, staycations are a great answer!

In Utah, we don’t have to travel far for world-class recreation—it’s often right in our backyard. Did you know that Utah Lake has 27 public access points, with each location offering different amenities and activities? This week, we wanted to highlight three to check out this season.

For Camping and Fishing Enthusiasts

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Fishing at Lincoln Beach

If you’re looking for somewhere close to getaway for an overnighter, Lincoln Beach should be at the top of your list. With gorgeous, sweeping views of Utah Lake and Utah Valley, there’s no better place to set up camp. Located just west of Spanish Fork, Lincoln Beach has overnight campgrounds, dedicated bathroom facilities, and tables for picnicking. While the pavilion can be rented ahead of time, campgrounds are first come, first serve. Be sure to arrive early to get the perfect spot!

For fishing enthusiasts, the marina itself is great, or you can walk a short distance north to Lincoln Point for some great fishing as well. The warm springs in this area make it attractive to fish year round. The boat launch is free to use and has a floating dock to make loading/unloading people easy.

For those looking to enjoy a good morning fishing, or hoping for a relaxing night by the water, there’s no better place than Lincoln Beach.

For Beach Connoisseurs

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Lindon Marina has beaches just for swimmers

With sandy beaches and areas designated just for swimmers, the Lindon Marina is the perfect place to spend an afternoon! Bring lunch, as Lindon also boasts picnic tables and large lawns for enjoying the warmer months while observing social distancing.

For those feeling more adventurous, visitors can rent paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, or mini sailboats onsite. Enjoy lunch and then hit the water for a fun afternoon with family.

The Lindon Marina is the perfect place to be reintroduced to Utah Lake, as the park is easily accessible just off I-15, and provides activities for all ages.

For Boating Buffs

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Utah Lake State Park has fantastic infrastructure for boaters

If you love boating, Utah Lake State Park is for you! An excellent boat ramp, a refueling station, and an abundant assortment of boats and WaveRunners for rent make this the perfect place to explore the open water. In addition to a large array of rentals, Utah Lake State Park is host to the annual Youth Paddle Camp, offered by the rental company, Epic Recreation.

The park also has great amenities for campers and boaters alike, featuring bathrooms with showers to get clean after spending the day in the sun. Rinse off and enjoy an afternoon picnic—be sure to bring your binoculars for birdwatching the diverse wildlife around the park! If you don’t feel like getting wet, the park also has a sand volleyball court, a disc golf course, pavilions and picnic tables, a playground, lots of shady trees and a nature area.

Utah Lake is Here for Us

Regardless of how you choose to enjoy Utah Lake, please take the proper safety precautions for you and your group! Before your trip, always notify family and friends of your plans and whereabouts. Be sure to bring or rent the proper personal flotation devices, such as a life jackets, before heading out on the open water.

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned life on it’s head and brought stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. During this time, allow yourself to enjoy the natural beauty of Utah Lake with proper social distancing measures. However you choose to interact with the Lake, we are here to support you.

Utah Lake has survived pandemics, droughts, and disasters, while providing life sustaining water and food for the local ecosystem. While we no longer depend on the Lake for food, let the magic of the Lake unwind your mind, and reset your senses. The Lake has been here for centuries, and we will ensure that it will be here for centuries to come.

Written by Christopher Hales

2 Comments

  1. Is there Algae in the water that is keeping people from being able to swim right now?

    • Visit the state monitoring website for updates on algae at Utah Lake and 15 other lakes for this summer: HABS.utah.gov