About the Park

Jordanelle State Park sits on Jordanelle Reservoir, above the Heber Valley in Wasatch County, a few miles from Park City. The reservoir was created when Jordanelle Dam was built on the Provo River for the Central Utah Project in 1993; Utah State Parks calls the dam the largest water project in Utah's history. The state park opened in 1995 and has three recreation areas: Hailstone, Rock Cliff and Ross Creek. It is also a designated International Dark Sky Park.

The Reservoir and the Dam

Jordanelle Reservoir is filled by the Provo River. Together with Deer Creek Reservoir, it helps supply culinary water to users in Wasatch, Utah and Salt Lake counties. Utah State Parks posts the current water level, as a percentage, on the park page. Jordanelle Dam itself is a restricted area. Visitors can't go on the dam, and boats and swimmers must stay outside the no-trespassing buoys near it (Boating & Marina).

History

Jordanelle Dam was completed on the Provo River in 1993 as part of the Central Utah Project, and the reservoir behind it became Jordanelle State Park two years later, in 1995. The park has three separate areas on the reservoir: Hailstone off US-40, Rock Cliff on the eastern shore where the Provo River comes in, and Ross Creek on the north arm.

The Three Areas

• Hailstone: the main area, with the marina, the eight-lane boat ramp, the public beach, cabanas and most campsites.
• Rock Cliff: boardwalks along the Provo River, the Rock Cliff Nature Center, and 45 campsites.
• Ross Creek: a non-motorized trailhead with two short loops and access to the north arm.

The 15.5-mile Perimeter Trail ties all three together (Hiking & Biking).

International Dark Sky Park

Jordanelle State Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, and Utah State Parks says it works to protect those night skies. Campgrounds keep quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Camping).

Wildlife

Utah State Parks lists more than 200 species of birds and mammals around the Rock Cliff Nature Center. Golden eagles and red-tailed hawks soar over the reservoir; mule deer, elk and moose graze along the Provo River at Rock Cliff; and at night campers hear raccoons and great horned owls. All plants, animals and natural features in the park are protected.

The Area Around Jordanelle

Park City is a few miles away, with skiing, shopping and venues from the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics nearby, and the Mirror Lake Highway scenic drive is a short drive away. Utah State Parks also notes that the park's elevation keeps it free of the winter inversions that settle over the valleys.

Who Runs the Park

Utah State Parks manages Jordanelle. Jordanelle Rentals and Marina is the park's official concessionaire, and the Wasatch Mountain Institute runs programs at the Rock Cliff Nature Center. This website is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any of them (Contact).