Jordanelle State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Surrounded by rolling hills and majestic mountain peaks, Jordanelle State Park is one of the most popular RV getaway destinations in all of Utah. There’s no better place to view picturesque Heber Valley than Jordanelle State Park. Located in Wasatch County, the history of the park dates back to the building of the Jordanelle Reservoir. The reservoir was completed in 1993, and Jordanelle State Park opened in 1995. The park consists of 4,000 acres of land, while there are another 3,000 on the water for you to explore.
The Provo River rambles into the Jordanelle Reservoir, providing a waterside venue with three recreation areas along the shore. Jump into watersports with campsite launch ramps for boats and personal watercraft. There are many excellent recreational activities for visitors to enjoy, such as swimming areas, hiking trails, and the park’s nature center. The avid angler will enjoy what the lake has to offer, such as trout, bass, and perch. Abundant wildlife makes the area an outdoorsmen’s dream. Catch a glimpse of local waterfowl, and keep an eye out for deer and elk as they graze above the valley floor. With ample off-season amenities like snowshoeing, snow tubing, and geocaching, Jordanelle State Park is the perfect destination at any time of year.
A short drive from Jordanelle State Park is historic Midway, Utah. Swiss immigrants founded midway, and now, Midway sports traditional swiss architecture and boutique shopping. Guests to the park can also enjoy a day trip to Park City, Utah, home of the Sundance Film Festival.
There are three campgrounds available for guests to stay in, one of which is RV friendly. Park your camper in the tall cottonwoods, and enjoy convenient access to clean restrooms, hot showers, and storage. Jordanelle State Park is open all year round.
RV Rentals in Jordanelle State Park
Transportation
Driving
Getting to and from Jordanelle State Park is very convenient as it is located only around 35 miles east of Salt Lake City. The park has one entrance and exit located off Deer Hollow Road that is accessible to RV rigs of all sizes. Local roads will take you anywhere you need to go within the park, from the campground to the nature center, boat rentals, and swimming area. If you need any supplies before your adventure, there are plenty of places close by that you can pop into, including Park City (around 10-miles away), Heber City (around 10.5-miles away), and Kimball Junction (around 12.5-miles away). During the wintertime, the area in and around the park can get a lot of snow, which means that some of the secondary park roads could be closed depending on the conditions. If you are concerned about snowfall impacting your visit to Jordanelle State Park, we recommend that you call the park office before beginning your journey. If you need to park your RV outside of the campground, there are two large parking lots near the marina and the general store.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Jordanelle State Park
Campsites in Jordanelle State Park
Reservations camping
McHenry Tent-Only Camping
If you're after a different kind of camping experience, Jordanelle also offers tent-only sites in the McHenry Campground. The campground is known to be very quiet and peaceful, so it is perfect for travelers wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy some relaxation. Some campsites within the McHenry Campground have electrical and water. All sites are pet-friendly, and they can be reserved in advance.
Keetley Group Campsite
For large groups, the Keetley Group Campsite provides accommodations for up to 50 people, so it is perfect for large family gatherings or sports trips. The campground features four RV hookups alongside four tent pads, so you will have a few different options of how you make use of the site. A large pavilion with nine picnic tables offers a gathering place, and two restrooms with showers make it easy to keep everyone comfortable. The two group campsites are available to reserve online.
Hailstone Campground
The Hailstone Campground features 103 RV campsites for trailers up to 80 feet long. Each campsite at Hailstone Campground is equipped with hookups for water and electricity. Campers can also enjoy fire pits, BBQ grills, and picnic tables. A laundry facility is available to clean up after a day at the beach, and hot showers and toilets near the sites. A dump station is available on the west side of the campground.
Reservations are encouraged, especially during the peak season of Memorial Day through Labor Day. They can be made up to four months in advance for individual sites, and 11 months in advance for the group campsite.
The campground is situated on the shore of the Jordanelle Reservoir, which means each campsite has a waterfront view. The campground has walkable access to a playground and boat launches. Leashed dogs are allowed anywhere throughout the campsite and the park except for the public beach. Hailstone is open all year round, but from November until March, the sites are available on a walk-up basis only.
First-come first-served
Hailstone Campground
The Hailstone Campground operates year-round, and any unreserved sites during the peak camping season rollover to first-come, first-served camping. Campers who wish to stay from November through March can secure a site on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seasonal activities in Jordanelle State Park
Off-Season
Hiking and Snowshoeing
Once the temperatures start to drop, it is the perfect time to explore the forests and rolling hills that surround the reservoir by using the extensive park trail system. If you’re looking for an easy stroll, try the Rock Cliff Trail. You’ll travel along elevated boardwalks through the wetland areas and end with a beautiful view of the Provo River as it enters the reservoir. For the more avid hiker, check out the 15.5-mile Perimeter Trail that circles the park. One there is considerable snowfall in the park, you can also bust your snowshoes for even more exploring.
Picknicking
Savor a bite to eat in the great outdoors. All you need is a blanket or camp chairs, or you can also take advantage of four pavilions. The Hailstone Campground has three pavilions that are suitable for up to 75 guests. The Sand Pavilion is ADA accessible, and it is located directly on the beach, includes a grill, and has direct access to the sand volleyball court. The Beach Pavilion allows public beach access and has a view of the playground. This pavilion also has a fire pit, grill, and reserved parking spots for vehicles. The Cove Pavilion features a grill and nine, large picnic tables. The Rock Cliff recreation area has an additional pavilion with nine picnic tables and a large pedestal grill. Pavilions should be reserved in advance so that you don't miss out on picnicking fun.
Geocaching
The Jordanelle area is a popular location for geocaching. The state park is home to three hidden caches. Stop by the park office to pick up a brochure and certificate so that you can begin your hunt. When you finish, bring back your completed document and turn it in for prizes. The Solar System Geocache weaves through the Hailstone Campground and begins near the park office. The Rock Cliff Trailhead is the starting point for the remaining two geocaches — the Ribbon of Life and Memorial Point.
Wildlife Viewing
The reservoir and tall cottonwoods within Jordanelle State Park are great spots for those wanting to catch some of the local wildlife. There are over 200 species of birds and mammals that call the park home, including elk, moose, golden eagles, and hummingbirds. The reservoir and the trails are some of the best places to spot some wildlife, so bring your binoculars or camera and enjoy all there is to see. Don't forget to download your birding checklist before you head to the park.
In-Season
Fishing
The Jordanelle Reservoir and Upper Provo River are home to brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and perch. Any legal bait can be used in the reservoir, but artificial lures and flies must be used on the river. Fish cleaning stations can be found in both the Hailstone Campground and Rock Cliff Recreation Area. The water off the launch ramp in Rock Cliff is a particularly popular fishing spot. Use the Ross Creek Trailhead to travel to the reservoir’s north arm for premier bass fishing.
Nature Center
Discover what makes the Jordanelle State Park such a unique ecosystem at the Rock Cliff Nature Center. The center is open on weekends during the peak season. Rangers and volunteers teach about Jordanelle’s wildlife, plants, and animals through tours and hands-on activities. Measure the wingspans of local birds, compare the antlers of the native elk, deer, and moose, and take a peek at the center's family of tiger salamanders, the only indigenous species of salamanders in Utah.
Watersports
Spend your days escaping the heat and enjoying the waves on the Jordanelle Reservoir. The park welcomes both motorized and sailboating as well as water skiing, tubing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and paddleboarding. Rent boats, personal watercraft, and equipment at the marina, general store, and pro shop.
Hailstone Campground has a personal watercraft ramp and courtesy dock available from May through October. If you’re bringing your boat along, transient slips are available for lease and can be reserved before your visit. Life jackets are required, so pick one up at the marina before you head out on the water.
Interpretation Programs
Throughout the summer weekends at Jordanelle State Park, five interpretive programs are held entirely free of charge for you to enjoy. The programs last for around 20 minutes and will feature a volunteer naturalist informing you about the topic and answering any questions you may have. Sign up for the interpretive programs at the Murdock Camp Services before 6 PM to attend the 6:30 PM event.
