Sunny Cove

🏊Swimming at Sunny Cove

Swimming is in the open reservoir from a beach/shoreline cove rather than a developed pool-style beach; visitors describe cool water that offers relief from summer heat, with grassy and sandy patches around the cove for setting up for the day. The adjoining water is also used for non-motorized paddling (kayaks, paddleboards) launched from the same access point.

📍How to get to this swimming hole

From Vernal, take U.S. 191 north about 51 miles; roughly 3 miles north of Dutch John, turn west onto Forest Road 184 and continue about 2.5 miles to the site. From Manila, take Highway 44 east about 28 miles, then U.S. 191 north through Dutch John before following the same Forest Road 184 turn.

Parking: On-site parking lot at the swim beach; a trip report describes an uneven, manmade path leading down from the lot to the water's edge.

🥾The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike required. It's a short walk (a couple minutes) from the parking lot down an uneven, manmade path to the shoreline.

💬What regulars say

Candid visitor commentary on Sunny Cove is scarce. The most detailed first-hand account is an August 2023 trip report, which notes there isn't a true sand beach but grassy spots to set up around the cove, an uneven path down from the parking lot, afternoon wind picking up during their outing, and that 'there is not much available in Dutch John' in terms of local rental options right at the site (rentals are a short drive away at the dam-area resorts and marinas).

📜Backstory

A trip report from August 2023 mentions a recent 'Sunny Cove Fire' that damaged one of the area's few sandy beach areas just before their visit; this has not been corroborated against an independent news source.