Hyrum State Park
Hyrum, Utah · on Little Bear River · Hyrum State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Hyrum State Park
Hyrum State Park sits on Hyrum Reservoir, a 450-acre impoundment of the Little Bear River in Cache County, Utah, about 1.4 miles from the town of Hyrum. The Utah Bureau of Reclamation dam was completed in 1935, and the state park was established in 1959. The park's own materials list swimming among its recreational activities alongside fishing, boating, and waterskiing.
The park occupies the northern shore of Hyrum Reservoir at about 4,700 feet elevation in Cache Valley, northeastern Utah, with 265 acres of parkland surrounding the 450-acre reservoir formed by a 1935 US Bureau of Reclamation dam on the Little Bear River.
Swimming at Hyrum State Park
Utah State Parks describes an 'excellent beach' at the reservoir in summer, with the park promoted for swimming, boating, waterskiing, and fishing; water temperatures in mid-summer run roughly 70-75°F per the park's current conditions report. This is reservoir swimming off a designated beach rather than a river or creek swimming hole.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at 405 West 300 South, Hyrum, UT 84319, about 1.4 miles from the town of Hyrum.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up reservoir beach next to the day-use/boat-ramp parking area, no hike is needed to reach the water. Wikipedia notes unnamed 'trailheads' exist elsewhere in the park for hiking/biking/OHV use, but no trail leads to the swim beach itself and no distance/name info for those trails could be confirmed.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated swim beach on a 450-acre reservoir with a protected no-motorized-boat zone marked by buoys near shore, which helps keep swimmers away from boat traffic. However, the park's own materials list no lifeguards, and reservoir entry can drop off from a sloped beach rather than a true shallow shelf, so young kids should be supervised closely.
Parking
Paid
A dedicated boat-trailer parking lot (35 spaces) exists and can fill during peak season; day-use requires payment via gate attendant or self-pay envelope box when unattended. Utah State Parks' general day-use schedule (found on a different park's page, not confirmed specifically for Hyrum) lists roughly $8 standard / $5 reduced / $20 family day-use rates, so treat the exact Hyrum figure as unconfirmed.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush restrooms with showers and a fish cleaning station near the campground/boat ramp area (winterized off-season); a dry (vault) restroom is kept open year-round per the park's current-conditions page.
Water clarity
Clear
Utah State Parks' current-conditions page for Hyrum reports water clarity as "Clear" (algae-condition rating) as of the most recent check, alongside water temperature 70-75°F and reservoir level at 50-55% of capacity.
Hours
Open daily 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; note these posted hours don't reflect gate-attendant staffing hours, and self-pay is available when the gate is unattended.
On the water
Restrictions: No motorized boats permitted inside the buoy-marked swim zone off the beach. Any watercraft that has been in Lake Powell or out of state within the prior 30 days must pass an invasive-mussel inspection before launching.
The park has a boat ramp and dock and is explicitly promoted for boating and waterskiing in addition to swimming, so full-size motorized craft are standard use here, not just paddle craft.
Backstory
The Hyrum dam on the Little Bear River was completed in April 1935 by the US Bureau of Reclamation; before that, local settlers had dug a 9-mile canal from the Little Bear River to Hyrum to irrigate crops. The state park was established in 1959 and is named for Hyrum Smith, brother of LDS founder Joseph Smith.
Hyrum State Park: FAQ
Does Hyrum State Park charge a fee?
Day-use and annual passes are sold online at parkspass.utah.gov; exact current dollar amounts were not listed on the pages retrieved. Camping is by reservation in summer via ReserveAmerica (800-322-3770, 2+ days advance notice) or first-come, first-served with self-pay envelopes in the off-season.
Is Hyrum State Park kid friendly?
Designated swim beach on a 450-acre reservoir with a protected no-motorized-boat zone marked by buoys near shore, which helps keep swimmers away from boat traffic. However, the park's own materials list no lifeguards, and reservoir entry can drop off from a sloped beach rather than a true shallow shelf, so young kids should be supervised closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Hyrum State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Hyrum State Park?
A dedicated boat-trailer parking lot (35 spaces) exists and can fill during peak season; day-use requires payment via gate attendant or self-pay envelope box when unattended. Utah State Parks' general day-use schedule (found on a different park's page, not confirmed specifically for Hyrum) lists roughly $8 standard / $5 reduced / $20 family day-use rates, so treat the exact Hyrum figure as unconfirmed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Hyrum State Park?
The park has a boat ramp and dock and is explicitly promoted for boating and waterskiing in addition to swimming, so full-size motorized craft are standard use here, not just paddle craft.
When is the best time to visit Hyrum State Park?
Summer, based on the park's description of 'an excellent beach' in summer and mid-summer water temperatures of 70-75°F.
What are the rules at Hyrum State Park?
Park hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Watercraft that have been in Lake Powell or out of state within the previous 30 days must be inspected before launching, per invasive-species rules. Stage 2 fire restrictions (as of the page checked) prohibit open fires; only shielded gas/liquid-fueled camp stoves with a shut-off valve are allowed, with three feet of clearance.
What water body is Hyrum State Park on?
Hyrum State Park is on Little Bear River, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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