Skip to content
KITAUTHORITY
Jordanelle Reservoir's blue mountain water with boats at the Hailstone marina, green forested hills and the high Wasatch peaks behind, summer afternoon

State Park · Utah

Jordanelle State Park

A mountain reservoir near Park City with a marina, sandy day-use beaches, a wetland nature area, and full-service camping at the Hailstone and Rock Cliff areas.

A sandy day-use beach at Jordanelle with families and paddleboards, calm blue reservoir water, pine-covered mountain slopes beyond

Field briefing

Jordanelle State Park starts with access, not mileage.

Before you go

Jordanelle is a mountain-reservoir park with two very different sides.

Hailstone is the busy marina, beach, and big-campground hub for boating and swimming, while Rock Cliff is the quieter wetland and walk-in side for birding and nature walks. It sits minutes from Park City, so summer weekends are busy. Plan for altitude, afternoon storms, and a choice between the water-sports side and the calmer nature side.

Best window
June to September for boating, swimming, and warm-weather camping
Signature routes
Hailstone marina and beaches, Rock Cliff Nature Area
Pack focus
Water, weather checks, layers

The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.

Location
Utah
Best time
June to September for boating, swimming, and warm-weather camping
Entrance
Utah state park day-use entrance fee per vehicle, or the Utah annual day-use pass

When to go

Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.

Spring

Moderate crowds

Cool and variable at altitude, with the reservoir filling and trails muddy.

Pack Layers, waterproof footwear, and flexible plans for late snow.

Summer

Peak crowds

Warm days, cool nights, and afternoon mountain storms.

Pack Sun protection, a storm shell, water, and an early boating plan.

Fall

High crowds

Crisp and clear, with strong color in the surrounding hills.

Pack Warm camp layer, headlamp, and a reservation for color weekends.

Winter

Low crowds

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.

How long to spend

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.

  1. 1Start with Hailstone marina and beaches: The main hub for boating, paddling, and swimming, with the largest campground and the busiest summer scene.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

A kayaker paddling on the glassy morning water of Jordanelle Reservoir with snow-dusted mountains reflected in the lake

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.

  1. 01Check you will sleep warm down to about 30F
  2. 02Estimate the stove fuel to pack for the trip

What to pack

Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.

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.

  1. Dates and season are set.
  2. Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
  3. Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.

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

Jordanelle State Park

Official park page with conditions, fees, marina notes, and camping details.

Jordanelle campground details

ReserveAmerica details for Jordanelle campsites.

Search Recreation.gov

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

Jordanelle Reservoir's blue mountain water with boats at the Hailstone marina, green forested hills and the high Wasatch peaks behind, summer afternoon

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
  1. Arrival note

    Jordanelle sits along US-40 between Heber City and Park City, about 50 minutes from Salt Lake City.

  2. Car strategy

    A car is required.

  3. 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.

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.

Keep planning