Where is the best place to go boat camping near Provo / Salt Lake?

[DiscGo]

I have had a boat for a couple of years and I have some friends who want to go camping this next month and go boating. We want to show up on a Saturday and go home on a Sunday. Is there a place that any of you would recommend? I feel like Ecco Reservoir is likely too crowded for us to show up and go camping and Deer Creek isn't super hospitable. Any suggestions?

[Iceaxe]

Depends, exactly what are you looking for? Nice beach? improved campgrounds? Campgrounds near the lake?

One thing to remember is all the reservoirs are currently at full pool, which means no beaches and access from shore to lake can be a little sucky at the moment.

Anyhoo... Yuba is always one of my favorite boating/camping spots. The water there will be warmer than most other lakes.

Echo and Starvation are both good for boating/camping.

[oldno7]

As a kid growing up, we spent countless days at Hyrum Res.

[DiscGo]

Depends, exactly what are you looking for? Nice beach? improved campgrounds? Campgrounds near the lake?

One thing to remember is all the reservoirs are currently at full pool, which means no beaches and access from shore to lake can be a little sucky at the moment.

Anyhoo... Yuba is always one of my favorite boating/camping spots. The water there will be warmer than most other lakes.

Echo and Starvation are both good for boating/camping.


There is a spot at Ecco we really like where we can drive the boat right up to the beach and where the people on the shore have shade. You make a great point though about the high water levels.Where we usually camp at Ecco may be under water right now.

[Iceaxe]

If your Echo camping spot isn't above the high water mark it's currently underwater.

[BruteForce]

Yuba, Mona Res or even Vernon Res. would be close by..

[DiscGo]

Do you have to camp in the designated campgrounds at Yuba?

[Iceaxe]

Nope, which is a big reason I like Yuba with a boat. You can park and camp next to your boat.

[DiscGo]

Nope, which is a big reason I like Yuba with a boat. You can park and camp next to your boat.

Perfect! That is exactly what I want.

[Sandstone Addiction]

Yuba might be the only lake in Utah that isn't at or near full pool right now. In fact, Painted Rocks ramp is closed due to low water. Oasis Ramp is still open though.

The North Beach is always our favorite place to camp at Yuba as you can both drive your vehicle along the beach and leave your boat in the water overnight next to your campsite. Although, from personal experience, I would advise against leaving your boat anchored overnight on the North Beach. Spent a few hours one August morning struggling to get my boat back in the water after being beached from a storm during the night. Not fun.


Pineview Res, IMHO, is without a doubt the finest lake in Northern Utah. Nice beaches and clean water. Unfortunately, it's not managed by Utah State Parks and so the Forest Campground is just OK and doesn't have a beach nearby (that I'm aware of...). The beaches and picnic areas are managed by someone else and are pretty good, but could be a lot better. Still a great place to spend a weekend.