National historical park
State park · Northern Utah
Willard Bay State Park
A freshwater reservoir built on the Great Salt Lake floodplain, enclosed by a dike, with two marinas and nesting eagles in winter.
Photo: gillfoto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Plan your visit: access, parking and practical details
Check the operator’s current fees, reservations, parking, transit, restrooms and accessibility arrangements before leaving. Confirm specific mobility or sensory needs directly with the venue.
Official visitor information ↗Willard Bay is a freshwater reservoir at about 4,200 feet on the floodplain of the Great Salt Lake, about 12 miles northwest of Ogden. An earth-filled dike and the natural shoreline enclose it. The Bureau of Reclamation built the Arthur V. Watkins Dam, the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District runs the reservoir, and Utah State Parks manages recreation. It stores surplus Ogden and Weber river water for farmland and opened as a state park in 1966.
The park has North and South marinas with launch ramps and boat slips, plus a beach, swimming, waterskiing, fishing, kayaking, archery and hiking. Campsites include RV sites with full or partial hookups, cabins and cottages. The park says nesting eagles can be seen here in winter.
Willard Peak Pond, a separate small water, has been under a harmful-algae warning on the park page, a reminder to check the advisory for whichever water you plan to use.
Don't miss
- North and South marinasTwo marinas with ramps and slips; long-term slip leases are handled by separate permits.
- Winter eaglesThe park says nesting eagles are visible in winter.
- Beach and swimmingA beach area on the freshwater reservoir.
- Camping and cabinsRV, cabin and cottage lodging along the shore.
- ArcheryListed among the park’s activities.
Good to know
- Without a gate attendant, pay with a fee envelope or the ParksPass QR code; fees apply year-round.
- Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Check the algae advisory before swimming or skiing and keep pets away from affected water.