East Canyon Reservoir - Near Morgan, Utah
East Canyon Reservoir – How to Get There
East Canyon Reservoir, just south of Morgan, Utah, gets a couple of visits from Sissy and me each year. It’s not a huge reservoir, but it’s good for 2-3 hours of paddling and the scenery is quite nice. It can be reached either by driving through the middle of Morgan and continuing south, or you can go the other direction from Salt Lake City by travelling north on Highway 65. It’s a nice, scenic drive that’s quite popular with motorcyclists. Getting to the reservoir is less than an hour from either direction.
East Canyon Reservoir, just south of Morgan, Utah, gets a couple of visits from Sissy and me each year. It’s not a huge reservoir, but it’s good for 2-3 hours of paddling and the scenery is quite nice. It can be reached either by driving through the middle of Morgan and continuing south, or you can go the other direction from Salt Lake City by travelling north on Highway 65. It’s a nice, scenic drive that’s quite popular with motorcyclists. Getting to the reservoir is less than an hour from either direction.
East Canyon Reservoir - Morgan, Utah
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Steep Sides but Still Doable
Accessing the water is flat and easy on the north end at Dixie Creek Campground (there’s a boat ramp here), and the south end at Big Rock Campground. The day use fee for these two areas is $10 ($15 on weekends and holidays), but may be worth it if you don’t want to schlepp your yak down to the water along the steep east sides of the reservoir. I like to save my nickels, so I just attach my kayak cart and make sure I have shoes on with good grip, then down the bank I go. There are lots of wide parts along the shoulder of the road that runs along the outside of the reservoir where you can park and unload. A number of small, narrow trails lead down to the water.
Accessing the water is flat and easy on the north end at Dixie Creek Campground (there’s a boat ramp here), and the south end at Big Rock Campground. The day use fee for these two areas is $10 ($15 on weekends and holidays), but may be worth it if you don’t want to schlepp your yak down to the water along the steep east sides of the reservoir. I like to save my nickels, so I just attach my kayak cart and make sure I have shoes on with good grip, then down the bank I go. There are lots of wide parts along the shoulder of the road that runs along the outside of the reservoir where you can park and unload. A number of small, narrow trails lead down to the water.
East Canyon Reservoir - East Side
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Motorized Watercraft
East Canyon Reservoir is open to motorized watercraft, so you will have to contend with some wave action. If you’re on the water fairly early in the morning, you can get a couple hours without boat motors. Even then, the boat traffic hasn’t been too busy on the weekdays.
East Canyon Reservoir is open to motorized watercraft, so you will have to contend with some wave action. If you’re on the water fairly early in the morning, you can get a couple hours without boat motors. Even then, the boat traffic hasn’t been too busy on the weekdays.
Motorized Boats are Allowed
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Popular for Fishing
Fishermen (women/people/kids/whatever) seem to like East Canyon Reservoir – there are always plenty of them along the banks, quietly doing their thing. As you paddle along the edges of the reservoir, make sure you stay away from their fishing lines. I’ve also seen quite a few people who bring their dogs and play fetch with them in the water. I’ve always wanted to do that with Sissy, but she’s not into that activity, darnit!
Fishermen (women/people/kids/whatever) seem to like East Canyon Reservoir – there are always plenty of them along the banks, quietly doing their thing. As you paddle along the edges of the reservoir, make sure you stay away from their fishing lines. I’ve also seen quite a few people who bring their dogs and play fetch with them in the water. I’ve always wanted to do that with Sissy, but she’s not into that activity, darnit!
Fishing, Swimming, Paddling, Exploring and Lazing About
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Spring and Early Summer
Before the water levels drop, you can paddle through the creek that feeds the reservoir on the south end. This is an excellent place to see various waterfowl and baby ducks in spring and early summer. Later in the year, the duck families venture further into the main body of water. I enjoy watching them get bigger and a little less fuzzy as the summer wears on.
Before the water levels drop, you can paddle through the creek that feeds the reservoir on the south end. This is an excellent place to see various waterfowl and baby ducks in spring and early summer. Later in the year, the duck families venture further into the main body of water. I enjoy watching them get bigger and a little less fuzzy as the summer wears on.
East Canyon Reservoir - South End
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No Wake Zone
If you have youngsters that you don’t want out where the big boats are, there is plenty of room in the no wake zone at the south end of the reservoir. Rent one of the picnic areas at Big Rock Campground and spend a day swimming and paddling with the whole family. You can also load your stuff on the kayak and paddle to the west side of the reservoir where there are some day-use-only places suitable for setting up a shade structure and hanging out. I actually prefer paddling on the west side so I don’t hear the traffic passing on the road that runs along the east side of the reservoir.
If you have youngsters that you don’t want out where the big boats are, there is plenty of room in the no wake zone at the south end of the reservoir. Rent one of the picnic areas at Big Rock Campground and spend a day swimming and paddling with the whole family. You can also load your stuff on the kayak and paddle to the west side of the reservoir where there are some day-use-only places suitable for setting up a shade structure and hanging out. I actually prefer paddling on the west side so I don’t hear the traffic passing on the road that runs along the east side of the reservoir.
East Canyon Reservoir - West Side
