Lakes in Southern Utah — Your Guide to Desert Lake Recreation
While Southern Utah is famous for its red rock canyons and national parks, the region also offers surprisingly excellent lake recreation. From warm-water reservoirs perfect for swimming and water sports to mountain lakes stocked with trout, there are lakes in Southern Utah for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Here is your complete guide to the best lakes near St. George and across the region.
Sand Hollow Reservoir
Sand Hollow Reservoir near Hurricane is Southern Utah's crown jewel for lake recreation. The warm, turquoise-blue water is surrounded by red sandstone beaches that create a stunning desert oasis. Sand Hollow is perfect for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, boating, and fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill. Sandy beaches provide excellent spots for picnicking and sunbathing. The reservoir is part of Sand Hollow State Park, which also offers camping, OHV riding, and hiking. Water temperatures are comfortably warm from May through October, making it one of the longest lake seasons in Utah.
Quail Creek Reservoir
Quail Creek State Park features a beautiful reservoir just north of Hurricane with some of the warmest water in Utah. The lake is popular for swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing (rainbow trout, largemouth bass), and camping along the shore. The red rock setting creates a dramatic backdrop for water recreation. Quail Creek tends to be less crowded than Sand Hollow, offering a quieter experience.
Gunlock Reservoir
Gunlock Reservoir State Park is a smaller, more secluded lake near the town of Gunlock, west of St. George. This scenic reservoir is popular for fishing (bass, catfish, crappie), kayaking, and relaxing in a peaceful desert canyon setting. Gunlock offers a more remote feel compared to the busier reservoirs and is a favorite among locals looking for a quiet day on the water.
Enterprise Reservoirs
The Enterprise Reservoirs (Upper and Lower) in the Bull Valley Mountains northwest of St. George provide a cooler alternative during hot summer months. At higher elevation, these mountain reservoirs are stocked with rainbow trout and offer excellent fishing, canoeing, and picnicking in a pine forest setting dramatically different from the desert below. Primitive camping is available nearby.
Pine Valley Reservoir
Pine Valley Reservoir sits at approximately 6,800 feet elevation in the Pine Valley Mountains, offering cool mountain lake recreation just an hour from St. George. Stocked with trout, the small reservoir is popular for float tube fishing, kayaking, and shoreline picnicking surrounded by pine and aspen forest. Pine Valley also has excellent hiking trails and a charming historic chapel worth visiting.
Kolob Reservoir
Kolob Reservoir, located on the Kolob Terrace Road above Virgin, offers high-elevation fishing for rainbow and brook trout in a scenic mountain setting on the edge of Zion National Park. The reservoir is typically accessible from late spring through fall depending on snowpack. The drive up Kolob Terrace Road passes through stunning scenery and offers cooler temperatures as a bonus.
Desert Color Crystal Lagoon
For a unique twist on lake recreation, the Desert Color community in St. George features a crystal-clear man-made lagoon with Caribbean-blue water perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. While access is primarily for residents and guests, the lagoon represents a new style of desert water recreation in Southern Utah.
Plan your lake day with our things to do in St. George guide. Visit Sand Hollow State Park and Desert Color for more information on Southern Utah's best water recreation destinations.
