Plenty of people drive past Echo every weekend on the way to somewhere better known and never turn off. That is the appeal: 1,394 surface acres, a marina, a general store, and watercraft rentals close to the highway near Coalville. The Bureau of Reclamation built the dam in the 1930s for irrigation, and the fishing that grew up behind it is trout and perch, worth a line year-round. It freezes for ice fishing in winter, and there are cottages if you would rather not tent it.
Do this: Boating, fishing, paddling, camping
Family note: Quiet water, easy access
Fees and hours: stateparks.utah.gov
This park has fishing. Bring the loadout:
Closest waters: Echo Reservoir (Fishing, 2 mi) · East Canyon Reservoir (Fishing, 8 mi) · Rockport Reservoir (Fishing, 13 mi) · Lost Creek Reservoir (Fishing, 15 mi)
Add to the trip: Grandeur Peak (West) (Hike, 25 mi) · Spruces Campground (Camping, 25 mi) · Perception Park Campground (Camping, 25 mi) · Redman Campground (Camping, 25 mi)