Conditions Right Now
Why Go
The trick here is that you are boating in fresh water on the Great Salt Lake flood plain, separated from the salt by an earth-filled dike about 20 miles long. That structure has an official name, the Arthur V. Watkins Dam, though almost nobody uses it. There are two separate marinas, north and south, with separate entrances, so decide which side you want before you turn off. The campgrounds sit under cottonwoods, which matters on an exposed shoreline at 4,200 feet.
Do this: Boating, wiper & walleye fishing, beaches, eagle watching in winter
Family note: Sandy shorelines and easy ramps
Fees and hours: stateparks.utah.gov
Yes, You Can Fish Here
This park has fishing. Bring the loadout:
Closest waters: Willard Bay (Fishing, 2 mi) · Glassmans Pond (Ogden) (Fishing, 10 mi) · Fort Buenaventura Pond (Fishing, 11 mi) · Mantua Reservoir (Fishing, 11 mi)
Build Your Day
Add to the trip: Ben Lomond via North Skyline (Hike, 5 mi) · Botts Campground (Mantua) (Camping, 12 mi) · Anderson Cove Campground (Camping, 12 mi) · Waterfall Canyon (Hike, 12 mi)
Quick Answers
- What is there to do at Willard Bay State Park?
- Boating, wiper & walleye fishing, beaches, eagle watching in winter
- Is Willard Bay State Park good for kids?
- Sandy shorelines and easy ramps
- Why visit Willard Bay State Park?
- It became a state park in 1966 and sits about 12 miles northwest of Ogden. Because the dike keeps the salt out, it fishes like any other inland reservoir, with wipers and walleye. In winter the bay draws bald eagles, which is the best reason to visit in the off season.