Willard Bay State Park

Welcome to Willard Bay State Park, where you can boat, swim, water ski and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky.

During the 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.

History

Willard Bay is a freshwater reservoir located 12 miles northwest of Ogden on the floodplains of Great Salt Lake. An earth-filled dike and natural shoreline make up the 20-mile enclosures. The dike is officially named the Arthur V. Watkins Dam, after 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 Utah State Parks.

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