Jordanelle State Park

FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a camping reservation?  Yes!  Reservations for camping, day-use cabanas, cabins, and pavilions may be made at least 48 hours in advance and up to 4 months in advance for individual sites and 11 months for group sites by calling 1-800-322-3770 or going to stateparks.utah.gov and clicking on RESERVE. Sites that are not reserved are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Reservations are highly recommended during the summer months as we are fully booked each weekend. Reservations cannot be made at the park.

Can I bring my dog?  Yes (in certain areas). Dogs are NOT allowed inside public buildings or in some of the cabins at Hailstone. We have 3 of our cabins that are pet friendly with a pet fee. Dogs must be cleaned up after and leashed at all times. Dogs are allowed to swim in the reservoir, off-leash. Dogs are a privilege, not a right. For more information about Service Dogs, please contact a member of our staff.

Can I swim in the reservoir?  Yes! The water is rather cold (only gets up to 75 degrees) so life jackets are recommended. Swimming should only take place along the shoreline or in wakeless areas to avoid boats. Swimming should never take place near boat ramps or docks. If you are using a float tube or other floating water toy, you must have a life jacket if you are more than 50 feet from shore.

What is the weather like?  You can always check the weather at Jordanelle by visiting Weather.gov – Jordanelle. During the summer months, the wind tends to be calm during the morning, picks up mid-morning to afternoon, and then calms down again in the evenings. Of course, this can change at any time with storms or other weather conditions. You can also check a live camera at the park by going to our current conditions page.

Is the park closed? No! The park never closes its gates, however, day-use ends at 10:00 PM. Certain facilities are only open seasonally, but you can always come in to enjoy the park. The park office hours change during the winter months. The Marina Store and Nature Center close completely during the winter. The docks, fish cleaning stations, campgrounds, and restrooms will gradually be shut down as the temperatures drop and then closed for the winter. The campgrounds close on October 31 and usually re-open April 15 (weather permitting). Reservations begin May 1.

Can I get back into the park if I am later than 10:00 PM?  Yes! The gates are not physically locked so you may enter for camping if you have a reservation or use the self-pay system and there is an open site. Please be aware that quiet hours begin at 10:00 PM and take care not to disturb other guests.

Can I fish in the park?  Yes! There are brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and perch. As part of the new 2016 Fishery Management Plan developed by the Division of Wildlife Resources, local anglers, and Jordanelle State Park; Kokanee, wipers, tiger muskie, and larger rainbow trout have also been planted. We don’t have any crayfish. Refer to the fishing proclamation for rules and limits. Any legal means of bait can be used on the reservoir, but only artificial lures and flies can be used on the river. Ice fishing is also a popular activity at the park during the winter months.

Are there any walk-in sites available? The only walk-in sites are in the Phostan Bay Backpacking campground. Sites that are not reserved are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Reservations can be confusing because it may show some sites in the RV campground as walk-ins. These are not available.

What do you do in the winter? Jordanelle staff is responsible for the grooming of the Strawberry Snowmobiling Complex and plowing of several parking lots in the Strawberry area for angler and snowmobiling access. Rangers also patrol on snowmobiles and assist with searches and rescues. We also have to plow certain parts of the park for fire access, water system access, Klondike events, and general visitor access to the reservoir. With the large snowstorms we can get during the winter, sometimes it takes several days to clean up after one storm. Snowshoe rentals are available at the park office during business hours. In addition, we do a lot of our required training, take some vacations, and work on getting ready for summer.

Do you have geocaches in the park? Yes! Go to Jordanelle Memorial Point Geocache for information about the Memorial Point Geocache. We also have a Solar System Geocache that starts at the park office. It has a brochure that helps guide you through the Solar System. You can find our Ribbon of Life Geocache by going to Jordanelle Ribbon of Life Geocache. Happy hunting!

Can I have a fire?  Yes! Fires are allowed in designated fire pits in the campground. There are also pedestal grills at the campsites and day-use cabanas. Firewood gathering is NOT permitted. You may bring your own firewood or buy some at the Marina Store. Ground fires and primitive fire pits are NOT permitted. 

Are fireworks allowed at Jordanelle?  No. Fireworks are not allowed inside the park, including on the water, without a special use permit for special events authorized by the park manager.

Can I camp on the beach?  No. There is no beach camping allowed at Jordanelle. All camping must be in a designated site with a designated fire pit. 

Can I camp on my boat? Yes! Camping on your boat is allowed for $35/night as long as you follow these requirements: 

  • Vessel must have a marine toilet. 
  • Vessels must be anchored off-shore at least 40 feet.
  • Vessel must display a 360 all-around white light while anchored.

Campfire ethics 101:  

  • Do not burn garbage or anything that is not wood.
  • Do not leave your fire unattended.
  • Completely extinguish your fire.  Use water, stir, and repeat.
  • Never put hot coals in the dumpsters.
  • Leave your fire pit and campsite cleaner than you found it.

Can I fly my drone?  Yes, however, you must complete a Drone Permission Form and follow all rules and regulations regarding drones. This permit only covers personal use. Once you have completed the form, it must be approved by Park Management before you can operate. There is a $10 permit fee that can be paid at the park office. If you are interested in flying a drone for commercial use, you must apply for a Special Use Permit through the Park Manager. Requirements and restrictions apply such as having a remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating.

Are e-bikes allowed on the Perimeter Trail? Yes, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Perimeter Trail at Jordanelle State Park.

Is Metal Detecting allowed? Yes! Metal detecting is allowed by permit only as defined in State Code (R651-620-6). Please download and complete the Jordanelle Metal Detecting Agreement Form and bring it with you to the park. Check in at the office and you’re good to go!

What are the fees? Click Jordanelle Fee Schedule