Brown and white dog on one of the dog friendly beaches in Utah
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Are you looking for the best dog friendly beaches in Utah?

If you are, then you’ve found the right website.

Utah is a landlocked state with a population of around 3.3 million people.

Although the state is a long way from the ocean, there are still lots of lakeside beaches and shorelines that you can explore with your pup.

So come with us to explore some of the best beaches in Utah that allow dogs!

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Long-coated brown dog on a dog beach in Utah
Long-coated brown dog on a dog beach in Utah – Photo by Akshay Madan on Unsplash

1. Jordanelle State Park

  • Utah 319, Heber City, UT 84032
  • Park hours are daily, from 6am to 10pm
  • Dogs are allowed to swim in the reservoir, off-leash
  • You must keep your dog on a leash when on dry land
  • Dogs are NOT allowed inside public buildings, or in some of the cabins at Hailstone
  • Park fees are from $10 to $20 per day in the peak season, and from $5 to $10 per day in the off season

Jordanelle State Park is located above the beautiful Heber Valley in northern Utah.

This gorgeous dog-friendly Utah state park is just 37 miles east of Salt Lake City. And a little under 50 miles from the state border with Wyoming.

Website: Jordanelle State Park

2. Willow Creek Dog Pond

  • 4460 Split Rail Lane, Park City, UT 84098
  • Set in the middle of a city park
  • Fully fenced-in pond area – perfect for dogs!
  • An adjacent grass area for fabulous off-leash play
  • The pond is open to dogs throughout the spring and summer
  • Rest of the dog park stays open throughout the year, even when the dog pond is closed

Willow Creek Dog Pond is in the middle of Willow Creek Dog Park in Park City, Utah.

It’s less than 20 minutes from Jordanelle State Park and just 32 minutes from Salt Lake City.

There is a small beach that runs along the edge of the dog pond. The dog pond itself is fully fenced in, providing a safe place for Fido to enjoy a swim.

Super Safe For Your Pup

The surrounding dog park is a grassy enclosed space. So it’s also super safe for your pup. Trees and well-placed benches provide lots of shade. And there’s also some agility equipment in the park – perfect for energetic pups!

Willow Creek Dog Park is a great place to bring your furball. It’s got a dog pond, dog play equipment, and a small dog friendly beach. What more could you ask for?!

Website: Willow Creek Park

Two dogs playing on a Utah dog friendly beach
Two dogs playing on a Utah dog friendly beach – Photo by Aldo Houtkamp on Unsplash

3. Sand Hollow State Park

  • 3351 Sand Hollow Road, Hurricane, UT 84737
  • Beautiful, sprawling 20,000-acre park
  • Dogs are allowed at Sand Hollow State Park
  • You are allowed to swim with your dog
  • You must keep your dog on a maximum 6-foot leash
  • Daily park fee of $15 to $20 for Utah residents and $20 to $25 for non-Utah residents

Sand Hollow State Park is in the southwestern corner of Utah. It’s close to the state borders with both Arizona and Nevada.

This is one of the newer state parks in Utah and also one of its most popular.

Dogs are allowed to swim in Sand Hollow Reservoir. This beautiful lake is incredibly clear and has the mountains of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area as its backdrop.

One Of The Best Dog Friendly Beaches In Utah

And over to the northeast is Zion National Park.

This is a really beautiful place to bring your dog and it has one of the best dog friendly beaches in Utah.

Website: Sand Hollow State Park

4. Antelope Island State Park

  • 4528 West 1700 South, Syracuse, UT 84075
  • Park is open daily between 6am and 10pm
  • Dogs are allowed at Antelope Island State Park
  • You must keep your dog on a maximum 6-foot leash
  • Spectacular views of lake and island scenery
  • Park entrance fee of $15 per vehicle (up to 8 people), $5 for motorcycles and $3 per person for bicycles and pedestrians

Antelope Island State Park is just under an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City.

It is a refuge of rangelands floating on a desert sea.

You’re allowed to bring your pup to most areas of the park, but you must keep Fido on a six-foot leash at all times.

Enjoy Stretches Of The Great Salt Lake With Your Dog

Your canine companion can join you along long stretches of the Great Salt Lake. Just not at the public swimming beach.

Aside from the gorgeous beach areas along the lake shore, there are also plenty of dog-friendly trails in the park.

Antelope Island State Park is a fabulous place to bring your dog and is open all year round. It’s only closed over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Website: Antelope Island State Park

Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah, USA
Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah, USA – Photo by Mihály Köles on Unsplash

5. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

  • Bullfrog, UT 84533, Halls Crossing, UT 84533 and Lone Rock Beach, Lone Rock Road, Page, UT 86040
  • Glen Canyon NRA is open 24 hours per day, year-round
  • Dogs are allowed at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
  • You must keep your dog on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times
  • Incredible opportunities for water-based and backcountry recreation
  • Standard entrance pass costs $30 per week per passenger vehicle and $30 per week per motorized vessel

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area straddles southern Utah and northern Arizona. It covers an absolutely vast area – over 1.25 million acres.

Dogs are allowed in most parts of the Recreation Area. You must keep your pup on a leash that is no longer than six feet in length.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area takes in the mighty Colorado River and the majority of Lake Powell. Consequently, you’ve got literally hundreds of miles of fantastic shoreline to explore with your furball.

Some Of The Best Dog Beaches In All Of Utah

And trails throughout the canyon lead to beaches both large and small. These are without doubt some of the best dog beaches in all of Utah – uncrowded, unspoilt, and tons of fun for dogs of all sizes!

Due to the sheer size of the Recreation Area, it has many points of entry. Besides the ones at Bullfrog, Halls Crossing and Lone Rock Beach, there is also an entry point at Hite, located just off Utah Highway 95.

There are also three land entry points in Arizona. They are located at Wahweap, Antelope Point, and Lees Ferry and Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center.

Fee-Free Days In 2023

There are several fee-free days in 2023. The next one (and the last one of the year) is on Veterans Day, Saturday November 11.

And if you and your furry friend are looking for a bite to eat after all your adventures, then try Anasazi Restaurant. It’s located at Bullfrog Marina and offers dining with world-class views of the surrounding landscape.

Website: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Utah, USA
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Utah, USA – Photo by Terra Thurgood on Unsplash

6. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

  • 25 UT-43, Manila, UT 84046
  • Massive recreation area with 360 miles of shoreline
  • Dogs are allowed at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
  • You must keep your dog on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times
  • Leashed dogs are allowed at the beach areas
  • The area offers 43 campgrounds and lots of beautiful hiking areas

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is located in the northeast corner of Utah and the southwest corner of Wyoming.

It’s part of the vast Ashley National Forest, which takes in an incredible 1.4 million acres!

Flaming Gorge NRA itself is around 207,000 acres. This gorgeous outdoor playground is approximately an hour’s drive north of the town of Vernal, Utah. And it’s around 2 hours 45 minutes from Salt Lake City.

There is an abundance of recreational activities available at this wonderful place. They include hiking, boating, camping and fishing.

The Flaming Gorge Reservoir And The Red Canyon Overlook

A visit to the massive Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a must. One of the most famous viewpoints is called the Red Canyon Overlook. It’s located next to the Red Canyon Visitor Center.

The overlook towers above picturesque Red Canyon, which is around 700 feet wide and 1,400 feet straight down. It’s certainly very impressive!

Leashed dogs are allowed at all the beach areas in Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, including along the shoreline of Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Website: Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

A leashed Collie on a dog friendly beach
A leashed Collie on a dog friendly beach – Photo by APG Graphics on Pexels

Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches in Utah

Although Utah is a landlocked state, far from the ocean, it has plenty of lakeside beaches and shorelines that allow dogs.

Many have restrictions of course, so be sure to follow local guidelines and signage. However, oftentimes, it is simply to keep your dog on a leash and clean up after your pup. So not too onerous!

If you and your furball are looking for somewhere a bit different, then head to the beaches of Utah.

Believe us – you won’t be disappointed!

So what do YOU think? Which is YOUR favorite dog beach in Utah? Let us know by leaving a comment – we’d love to hear from you.

Things change all the time, so if any of the information in this article is incorrect or out-of-date, please let us know – just leave us a comment below. Many thanks!

If you’ve enjoyed finding out all about the best dog friendly beaches in Utah, then take a look at our comprehensive round-up of some of the best dog beaches in the US

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches in Utah

Are dogs allowed at Cemetery Point Beach?

No, unfortunately dogs are NOT allowed at Cemetery Point Beach. However, dogs ARE allowed on most of the shoreline around the rest of Pineview Reservoir.

Are dogs allowed at Rendezvous Beach?

No, unfortunately dogs are NOT allowed at the popular Rendezvous and North Beaches at Bear Lake State Park in Utah. However, most of the rest of Bear Lake State Park IS actually dog-friendly.

Are dogs allowed at Strawberry Reservoir?

Leashed dogs are permitted at the Strawberry Bay Campground, which is located adjacent to Strawberry Reservoir.

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