🌤 Weather at Utah Lake State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33–74 °F | 57–92 °F | 30–80 °F | 20–45 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Orem Trtmt Plt, 3 mi away, elevation 4,510 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Utah Lake State Park is a public state park in Utah near Provo in Utah County. It is the gateway to Utah Lake, the state’s largest freshwater lake at roughly 150 square miles and only about ten feet deep.
Quick Facts
| State | Utah |
| Nearest City | Provo |
| County | Utah |
Location & Getting There
Utah Lake State Park is located near Provo, Utah. The park’s coordinates are 40.2381, -111.7353.
Things to Do
Utah Lake is the state’s largest freshwater lake — roughly 150 square miles, 23 miles long, and surprisingly shallow: about 10.5 feet on average, topping out near 14. That shallowness warms the water to an average of 75°F in season, which is why this is Utah Valley’s spot for wakeless evening paddles and open-water swimming off the Outer Marina’s sand beach (the inner marina is off-limits to swimmers). The Inner Marina runs four boat ramps, courtesy docks and a fueling dock; a concessionaire rents both motorized and non-motorized boats. Every boat must complete the aquatic-invasive-species self-inspection before launching.
Anglers work channel catfish, walleye, white bass and black bass year-round, and a disc golf course rounds out the shore side. The lake’s most important resident is one you’ll probably never see: the June sucker, a fish that exists naturally nowhere else on Earth. Down to about 300 individuals in 1998, it recovered enough to be downlisted from endangered to threatened in 2021 — and the Provo River Delta, rebuilt as a nursery for its young and opened to the public in October 2024, added new trails, a wildlife viewing tower and a paddle-in launch just north of the park.
Best Time to Visit
The park is open year-round (6 a.m.–10 p.m. April through October, to 8 p.m. in winter), but it is two different parks by season: summer brings full marinas — every slip for 2026 rented out, with a waitlist — and winter brings quiet water and half-price entry. In late summer, check the Utah DEQ’s algal-bloom advisories before you swim or bring a dog: harmful algal blooms here are officially rated “mildly harmful to humans but toxic to dogs,” and the marinas post warning signage with photos. Sunsets over the lake against the Wasatch Mountains are the park’s signature — the Provo Airport dike is the officially recommended vantage.
Visitor Tips
Day use costs $20 per vehicle April through October ($10 for Utah seniors, $5 walk-in) and drops to $10 per vehicle in winter — as of August 2026. The Lakeshore Campground’s 31 RV sites (20/30-amp water and electric, covered picnic tables, showers) run $50 a night and book through utahstateparks.reserveamerica.com (800-322-3770) on a rolling 4-month window; the season ends October 31.
Getting there is simple: I-15 Exit 265 at Provo, then 3 miles straight west on Center Street. Two quirks worth knowing: the park is a drone no-fly zone (Provo Airport is next door), and the lake’s ice status is posted on the park page in winter — Utah State Parks’ general rule is a minimum of 4 inches of clear ice before walking out.
Fees, hours and facility details verified against stateparks.utah.gov on August 29, 2026. Fees change — confirm before you travel.
Explore More Utah State Parks
Utah Lake State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Utah. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Utah guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Utah Lake SP — on Utah Lake (96,600 acres) — the largest freshwater lake in Utah and one of the largest natural freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi. The lake’s wetlands, marshes, and open water support white pelicans, bald eagles, and great blue herons. The June sucker — a critically endangered fish found only in Utah Lake — is the subject of a major recovery effort.
Nearby Attractions
Provo — adjacent. Brigham Young University — 3 miles east. Timpanogos Cave NM — 15 miles north.
More parks in Utah: Deer Creek State Park and Flight Park State Recreation Area. See the full Utah state parks guide.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Utah Lake State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are permitted at most Utah state parks and campgrounds, on a leash and never left unattended.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 6 ft maximum leash required at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No statewide beach ban; rules vary by park - dogs are prohibited on the beach at Antelope Island, while Jordanelle has a designated area where dogs may swim off-leash
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in cabins and yurts at most parks (confirm with the park before reserving); additional lodging pet fees may apply
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No pet fee at standard campsites; additional fees apply for pets in cabins, yurts and cottages
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Park-specific restrictions such as Antelope Island's Frary Peak Trail and Deer Creek water areas
Are dogs allowed at Utah Lake State Park?
Pets are permitted at most Utah state parks and campgrounds, on a leash and never left unattended. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via stateparks.utah.gov. More: Utah state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Utah Lake State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
