Willard Bay State Park | Kids Out and About Salt Lake City <

Willard Bay State Park

Address: 
900 West 650 North #A
Willard , UT , 84340
Phone: 435-734-9494
41° 25' 14.9592" N, 112° 3' 29.43" W
Contact name: 
Willard Bay Park Ranger
What our organization offers: 
Ages for which our activities are most appropriate: 
Willard Bay is a State Park that offers boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, camping, wildlife watching opportunities, and a beach.

 

Boat, swim, waterski, and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky. Anglers fish for walleye, channel catfish, black crappie, and wipers. During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles. Two areas, North and South Marinas, offer all the amenities for a weekend at the bay.

Willard Bay North Marina
Select a day-use cabana on the beach, launch your boat, and pick the perfect campsite with full hookups at the North Marina.

Willard Bay South Marina
This boat launching and camping area offers modern facilities for overnight and day-use.

Boat Slip Application and Information

Park Hours: 
6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures: None

Day Visits: 
$10 day-use permit includes watercraft launches 
$5  day-use permit for Utah seniors 62+
$75 Annual Passes are available at the park
$35 Senior Adventure (annual) Passes

Overnight Camping:
Cottonwood Campground: $25 (full hookups)
Willow Creek Campground: $16
South Marina Campground: $25

Group Day Use:
Eagle Beach: $200 flat rate (100 people max - limited parking)
Pelican Beach Group Area: $300 flat rate + $200 refundable cleaning deposit at park (100 people max - 25 vehicles or 16 RVs max)

Group Overnight Camping:
Pelican Beach Group Campground: $350 flat rate + $200 refundable cleaning deposit at park                                                   (200 people max - 25 vehicles or 16 RVs max)

 

About the Park:

Location - 
Approximately 50 miles north of Salt Lake City.
From I-15; take exit 357 for the North Marina (main park area) and exit 351 for the South Marina.

Nearest Town with Services -
Willard is two miles east and south of the North Marina.
Plain City is five miles south of the South Marina.

Willard Bay is a freshwater reservoir located 12 miles northwest of Ogden on the flood plains of the Great Salt Lake. An earthfilled dike and natural shoreline make up the 20-mile enclosures. The dike is officially named the Arthur V. Watkins Dam, for a former U.S. Senator from Utah who was essential in getting the Weber Basin Project passed through congress in 1949. The area had a need for a reservoir to store surplus water from the Ogden and Weber rivers that could later be pumped out and used on farmlands.

Design and construction of the dam was completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoir is operated by the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and recreation activities are administered by the Utah State Parks and Recreation.

Willard Bay State Park consists of two separate marinas next to Willard Bay. Recently renovated, the park offers state-of-the-art day-use and camping facilities, boat launch ramps, and group-use areas.

Opened to the public as a state park in 1966.
Park Elevation: 4,200 feet

Junior Rangers:

Become a Junior Ranger at Willard Bay State Park!

Our Junior Rangers are usually ages six to 12, but everyone is welcome. Download our Junior Ranger Manual before you arrive or check in with a park ranger at the park. Junior Rangers earn a badge and certificate!