Jordanelle State Park

The Jordanelle State Park, one of the most popular parks in the Park City area, offers guests a wide range of recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, camping, and hiking. It has two distinct recreation areas. Hailstone is a large area for campground and daily use located on the west side of the reservoir. There are boat launch ramps here. The second location is Rock Cliff, which is on the southeast side of the reservoir. It’s quiet, ideal for camping, and with a beautiful boardwalk.

The park sits around Jordanelle Reservoir, which is filled by the Provo River. This reservoir, along with the Deer Creek Reservoir, provides for the water needs of users in Wasatch, Utah, and Salt Lake Counties, making it a very important water reserve. The park makes it easy for residents and visitors to enjoy water fun during the summer months.

Getting There

Jordanelle State Park is about 35 miles to the east of Salt Lake City. To reach the Hailstone part of the park, visitors can take I-80 East to US 40 East and then take the Mayflower Exist if they are coming from Salt Lake City. From Provo, Take 189 East to US 40 West before getting off at the Mayflower Exit.

Follow the same directions from Salt Lake City, getting off at US 40 East. Then, at the light, turn onto Highway 32 East. Follow that for 7.5 miles to Rock Cliff Road. For those coming from Provo, Take 189 East to US 40 West toward Park City. Then, turn right onto Highway 32 East before turning left onto Rock Cliff Road. The park is located in Heber City, which is just a short drive from Park City.

Keep in mind that water conditions change often, and some water areas may not be suitable. Be sure to check Utah State Park’s website before visiting. Typically, the park’s hours are from 6 am to 10 pm daily.

Water Sports & Rental Costs

The main draw for many visiting Jordanelle State Park is the water activities. There are a lot of fun activities to enjoy including boating, fishing, and watersports.

For those planning to enjoy some time on the water, it is possible to rent most of the equipment you may need. That includes boats, jet skis, kayaks, and more. The marina store and pro-shop are available each day from 8 am to 7 pm. For boats, you can choose from pontoons, fishing boats, and ski, wake, and surf boats. As a full-service marina, there’s ample help available throughout this process. It’s best to reserve a boat online or by calling 435-615-7397 before you arrive.

• Pontoon boat rentals cost $459 for 4 hours up to $599 for 6 hours, with several size options available.
• Fishing boat rental cost is $109 for two hours and up to $199 for 8 hours of use for an 18’ fishing boat, though other options may be available.
• Ski boat rentals cost $1,399 for 4 hours, which is a 23’ Supra SL 550 Boat rental with 2 captains on board, though other options may exist.
• Jet ski rentals cost $129 for one hour of use with rental options available for up to 8 hours at the cost of $439 and with several styles available.
• Kayak rentals cost $30 for 1 hour or up to $55 for 4 hours of use for a single-person kayak. For a tandem kayak, expect to pay $40 for 1 hour or up to $65 for 4 hours.

Rates could change at any time. There are limited options available, and some boat rentals have specific available either during the morning or afternoon hours.

For those who plan to do some fishing, it’s possible to catch brown trout, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, perch, and cutthroat fish here. Ice fishing is another option for those who wish to fish during the colder months.

It is possible to swim in the reservoir, though the water gets pretty cold. The park management recommends staying close to the shoreline to avoid boats.

Other Activities

There are plenty of other things to do here, too. You may want to do some camping. There are seven campgrounds on the park grounds, including one that is a hike-in or boat-in option. There are campaign fees that range from $20 to $30. For those with an RV, the location has several sites available to hold RVs up to 48 feet with partial hookups. To rent any of the camping facilities, individuals need to do so online at ReserveAmerica.

There’s much more to explore as you can hike through numerous areas of the park and watch the wildlife. Many people come to birdwatch. Others come for geocaching opportunities located throughout the location.

During the winter months, snowmobiles are often available to rent. During the summer, mountain terrain allows for ATVs to be taken out to explore the area. There are lots of off-roading opportunities throughout the area.