When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and variable at altitude, with the reservoir filling and trails muddy.
Pack Layers, waterproof footwear, and flexible plans for late snow.
Summer
Warm days, cool nights, and afternoon mountain storms.
Pack Sun protection, a storm shell, water, and an early boating plan.
Fall
Crisp and clear, with strong color in the surrounding hills.
Pack Warm camp layer, headlamp, and a reservation for color weekends.
Winter
Cold and snowy, with limited services and quiet, frozen views.
Pack Insulation, traction, and realistic expectations for closures.
Top things to do
Hailstone marina and beaches
The main hub for boating, paddling, and swimming, with the largest campground and the busiest summer scene.
Rock Cliff Nature Area
A quieter wetland and riverside zone with boardwalks and a nature center, better for birding and walk-in camping than powerboating.
Reservoir trails and shoreline
Multi-use paths and shoreline access that pair the mountain reservoir with easy hiking and biking near Park City.
Anchor the day around Hailstone marina and beaches
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Jordanelle State Park, make Hailstone marina and beaches the non-negotiable, add Rock Cliff Nature Area only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Reservoir trails and shoreline as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Hailstone marina and beaches: The main hub for boating, paddling, and swimming, with the largest campground and the busiest summer scene.
- 2Add Rock Cliff Nature Area: A quieter wetland and riverside zone with boardwalks and a nature center, better for birding and walk-in camping than powerboating.
- 3Use Reservoir trails and shoreline as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Jordanelle's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Jordanelle State Park. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Jordanelle State Park packing list
0 of 18 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Jordanelle State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Rain jacket, Insulated jacket, 1 more
Checklist mode
18 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Jordanelle
For a first campground setup, a fast pitch and real rain coverage matter more than premium materials.
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THE CAMPGROUND PICK
Coleman Skydome 4-Person Camping Tent with Full Fly Vestibule
- Capacity
- 4 person
- Floor
- 8 x 7 ft (56 sq ft)
- Peak height
- 55.2 in (4 ft 7 in)
- Weight
- 13 lbs
- Wind rating
- Frame tested to 35 mph
- Setup
- Pre-attached poles, under 5 minutes
The Skydome's pre-attached poles fold out and lock into corner sleeves without guesswork, making it one of the most foolproof setups at any price. Nearly vertical walls add 20% more headroom than a traditional Coleman dome, and the full-coverage rainfly version includes an 8 x 3.5 ft vestibule for gear storage.
- Pre-attached, color-coded poles make solo setup genuinely foolproof
- Full-coverage rainfly with integrated 8 x 3.5 ft vestibule for gear storage
- 55-inch peak height means most adults cannot stand up inside
Best for
Beginner couples or small families who want a reliable, fast-pitching shelter with solid rain coverage without spending more than $200.
Gear for Jordanelle
The buying guides that match what Jordanelle asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp at Hailstone for full-service sites near the marina and beaches, or choose Rock Cliff for walk-in tent sites in the quieter nature area. Park City and Heber City offer the nearest hotels, food, and rentals, and they make an easy base for combining the reservoir with mountain-town amenities or a side trip toward the Uinta Mountains.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Book Jordanelle's Hailstone sites early for summer weekends.
Hailstone is the full-service campground and fills fast in summer, while Rock Cliff offers a quieter walk-in alternative. Lock the campground decision before building the rest of a Park City weekend around it.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Utah State Parks uses ReserveAmerica. Individual campsites generally open on a four-month rolling window, with group sites available farther ahead.
- Hailstone offers developed sites with hookups, while Rock Cliff is oriented to walk-in tent camping.
- Day-use entrance fees apply at the Hailstone, Rock Cliff, and Ross Creek areas, and are included with a camping reservation.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so plan water activities for the morning.
Where to book or verify
Official park page with conditions, fees, marina notes, and camping details.
ReserveAmerica details for Jordanelle campsites.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Hailstone Campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve through Utah State Parks and ReserveAmerica.
- Sites
- Developed sites with hookups near the marina and beaches.
- The main full-service base, best for RVs and water-focused trips.
Rock Cliff Campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve through Utah State Parks and ReserveAmerica.
- Sites
- Walk-in tent sites in the riverside nature area.
- Quieter and more natural, better for tent campers and birders than for powerboating.
Getting there and practical info
Make the transfer plan before the trail plan.
Weather windows, boat schedules, flight buffers, and backup days shape what is realistic.
Getting there
Get to Jordanelle State Park by solving the transfer first.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Utah
Arrival note
Jordanelle sits along US-40 between Heber City and Park City, about 50 minutes from Salt Lake City.
Car strategy
A car is required.
Car strategy
The Hailstone, Rock Cliff, and Ross Creek areas have separate entrances, so confirm which side you want before you drive in, since they are not quickly connected within the park.
Pair this with lodging: the best base is the one that protects the departure window, pickup point, or weather buffer.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
The Utah Film Commission assists but does not permit; cities, counties, BLM, and Utah State Parks each permit their own ground, and the Mighty 5 gateway state parks all require Special Use Permits for commercial work.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; individual state parks publish their own drone restrictions
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Hailstone and Rock Cliff at Jordanelle?
Hailstone is the busy main hub with the marina, sandy beaches, and the largest full-service campground. Rock Cliff is a quieter wetland and riverside nature area with boardwalks, a nature center, and walk-in tent camping. They have separate entrances and very different vibes.
Can you boat and swim at Jordanelle State Park?
Yes. Jordanelle Reservoir supports boating, paddleboarding, and swimming, with the Hailstone marina as the main launch and rental hub. Summer afternoons bring mountain storms, so morning is the best window for time on the water.
How much is the entrance fee at Jordanelle?
Jordanelle charges a Utah state park day-use entrance fee per vehicle at its Hailstone, Rock Cliff, and Ross Creek areas, with a reduced rate for Utah seniors and a per-person rate for pedestrians and cyclists. The fee is included with a camping reservation. Check the official fees page for the current amount.