Rivers Near Park City, Utah
Utah has over 89,000 miles of streams and rivers as well as ten watersheds. While the state is famous for its deserts, there are plenty of year-round opportunities for recreation along waterways, and Park City has some exciting options to explore.
Provo River
This 68.4-mile river flows from Utah Lake to the Uinta National Forest and is a popular spot for kayaking, tubing, and rafting. The plentiful mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, and brown trout also make this a prime destination for what is considered some of the best year-round blue ribbon fly fishing in the country. Hiking by the water gives you lots of opportunities for wildlife sightings, picnics, and incredible photographs.
What makes the Provo River so special is that the water winds through the Wasatch Mountains, emerging sparkling cold.
Before you pack up and head for the river, keep in mind that there are three sections. The Lower Provo winds through Provo Canyon and ends up in Utah Lake. The canyon area has especially abundant and large fish for trophy catches.
The Middle Provo winds through the ranches between the Jordanelle Reservoir. You can enjoy prize fishing here, along with stunning news of Mount Timpanogos. The Upper Provo is between the Jordanelle Reservoir and Provo South Fork. The runoff can get too high for fishing in the spring, but the other three seasons are a great time to visit, especially since the Upper Provo tends to be more remote, so you can find your own secluded spot to enjoy your day.
Weber River
Stretching for 125 miles, this river flows between Great Salt Lake and Uinta National Forest. Stocked with mountain whitefish and both brown and rainbow trout, it’s a great spot for fly fishing, nymph fishing, and spin-fishing. You can fish year-round in the middle and lower portions of the river, and during winter fishing expeditions you can expect to have big sections of the river all to yourself.
The Class I and II rapids make a popular site for rafting, though tubing and kayaking are also fun activities here. Slower portions are ideal for wading, and easements make access easy, even in areas where the Weber is surrounded by ranches and farms. If you’re heading here, don’t forget to pack a camera to capture the incredible views and wildlife you might spot.
Jordan River
Try your hand at fly fishing at the Jordan River, which boasts walleye, rainbow trout, carp, white bass, Utah sucker, black bullhead, and channel catfish. In the summers and on mild fall and spring days, give canoeing, rafting (on Class I and II rapids), or tubing a try. There are trails along the river which offer year-round access for hiking and biking, too.
There are more than 51 miles to explore between Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake and if you’re headed here, you might want to pack a bird reference guide. Hundreds of species of birds use the river as a breeding ground, so wildlife and bird sightings are common along the shore.
Strawberry River
About an hour and a half outside of Park City is the Strawberry River, which flows from the Wasatch Mountains into Strawberry Reservoir and through Soldier Creek Dam. It’s an ideal place for fishing, since it’s one of the most productive brown and cutthroat trout fisheries in the state, thanks to considerable conservation efforts.
Parts of the river are also less busy than the Provo and Weber, making this waterway perfect for quiet fishing trips.
If you go, keep in mind that the river below the dam is a designated Quality Fishing Stream and is not accessible by car. If you go in the winter, the river can sometimes freeze over. Surrounding the river you’ll find cottonwood forests, steep canyon walls, and plenty of wildlife, including mountain lions, birds of prey, and other species of animals.
Diamond Fork River
Now that the summer high flows on this river have been managed to provide optimal flows year-round, Diamond Fork River has become an excellent spot for backcountry camping, blue-ribbon fishing, hiking, and developed campground camping. Brown trout and cutthroats are common in this river and are expected to become more plentiful and larger over time now that flows have been evened out. The nearby Fifth Water Creek tributary of the river also provides great hiking areas and has some hot mineral water pools.
Diamond Fork River has year-round hiking and is a good place to visit at any time. If you go, be sure to pack a swimsuit as well as a camera to capture the wildlife sightings.
Duchense River
The 115-mile Duchense River flows out of the Uinta Mountains and offers excellent fishing year-round, though the most popular times to visit are between July and September. Some areas require a hike, but the effort is worth it for the abundant mountain whitefish, cutthroat, brown trout, and rainbow trout. In addition to fishing, Duchense River is popular for ATVing, hiking, camping, and other year-round activities.
How Does Benloch Ranch Uniquely Position People to Enjoy Rivers Near Park City?
If you’d like to enjoy rivers in Park City, Utah, and the surrounding area, you need a home base, and Benloch Ranch, just outside Park City, is a prime location, giving you access to the best waterways in the area. Our 2,550-acre new home community offers stunning new construction homes with open-concept spaces ideal for entertaining before your fishing trips, and a perfect location just minutes to Park City.
Residents of Benloch Ranch will be able to easily drive to Provo, Weber, and other local area rivers for a day on the water and easily be able to make it back home to cook their catch and wash off the river water. The community is also designed to have everything you need for a quality lifestyle near the rivers in Park City, Utah, including grocery and retail stores, over twenty miles of trails, yurt and backcountry camping, shuttle service, glamping, fireside village, spa, clubhouse, convention center, restaurant, winter sports, archery, and skeet shooting range, skating pond, and more.
If you love spending time on the rivers near Park City, you’ll appreciate the indoor and outdoor storage Benloch Ranch offers for your kayak, canoe, or other gear. Benloch Ranch Concierge can also help you improve your fishing experiences with guide services, classes, and equipment. When you don’t want to head all the way to nearby rivers, you can enjoy the many miles of green area and outdoor adventures right in your own yard.
Do you want to spend more time in nature, on rivers, and having adventures? Contact Benloch Ranch to find out more about our community.