Don't live in California or Florida? No Problem. We have got you covered with a complete guide to the best sandy beaches in Utah for a beach day filled with water play! Come to these spots for a little stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, sand castle building, or whatever floats your boat.
5. Bear Lake
Dubbed the "Caribbean of the North" for its deep turquoise hues, Bear Lake is a hot spot for summer play. There are miles of shoreline that are good spots for paddleboarding but if you want the nicest sandy areas head to North Beach near the Utah/Idaho border.
4. Yuba Lake
A little Utah hidden gem about 90 minutes south of Salt Lake, Yuba has warm water and beautiful sandy shores on the north side. Still not convinced? Yuba hosts an annual sand castle building contest so you know the sand is legit.
3. Pineview Reservoir
Pineview is the most accessible lake between Salt Lake and Ogden. The best part is it is surrounded entirely by mountains which means your sandy beach play day will not be ruined by high winds. Head to Anderson Cove for the best sand.
2. Lake Powell
One of the most popular vacation spots in the west, Lake Powell has got your back if you need a sandy beach. Head to Lone Rock Beach on the Wahweap side near the Utah/Arizona border for prime beach adventures.
Where to stay near Lake Powell:
Our favorite place to stay when we visit Lake Powell (other than a houseboat of course!) is at the Courtyard Lake Powell in Page, AZ. It's located just 15 minutes from Lone Rock Beach and as bonus, just seven minutes from the Insta-famous Horseshoe Bend. Highly recommend it! Click the link above to book your stay.
Paddleboard Options:
Rent on site:
If you're starting your trip to Lake Powell in Utah County, rent an inflatable paddleboard from us here at JJ's Paddleboards - just $42 for the entire weekend or $112 for one week.
If you're looking to purchase your own paddleboard we recommend buying one of the boards at the bottom of the page from Amazon!
1. Sand Hollow State Park
It is no coincidence that the top beach in Utah has the word "sand" in its name because it has miles of sublime sandy shoreline. The sand is fine and powdery soft, making it easy to dig your toes right in. Bonus: the water is crystal clear on a calm day.
Where to stay near Sand Hollow:
Our favorite place to stay when we visit St. George is at the Springhill Suites St. George Washington. The suites are nice and spacious, they have free breakfast, a great pool & hot tub, and it's located just seven minutes from downtown St. George and less than 20 minutes from Sand Hollow. Highly recommend it! Click the link above to book your stay.
Paddleboard Options:
If you're starting your trip to the beach near Lehi in Utah County, rent an inflatable paddleboard from us here at JJ's Paddleboards - just $28/day, $42 for the entire weekend or $112 for one week. Otherwise here are some on-site rental options:
Bear Lake: Rent fiberglass paddleboards from Bear Lake Fun for $40 for two hours
Yuba Lake: You can rent from The Docks at Yuba inside the state park near the marina. Pricing isn't listed on the website.
Pineview: Rent from Club Rec on site near the beach for $20/hour
Lake Powell: There are several places to rent in Page, but we recommend Lake Powell Paddleboards. They are $65 a day and they deliver to the marina. They also offer paddleboarding tours of Antelope Canyon!
Sand Hollow: Rentals available at The Beach at Sand Hollow: $20 per hour plus $10 for each additional hour
If you're looking to purchase your own paddleboard we recommend buying one using our Amazon affiliate links below ⬇⬇⬇
It's actually a great time to buy one on Amazon. Despite inflation almost everywhere else, I'm seeing prices 25-40% lower than last year.
Isle premium paddleboard - was $795, now only $495!
ROC 10' paddleboard - was $349, now $264
Intex inflatable kayak - was $190, now $126
We hope you're as stoked as we are to get out there this summer and enjoy those Utah beaches! Who would've thought Utah would give California and Florida a run for their money? Now get out there, beaches.
🤘🏻
-JJ
P.S. For more ideas of family-friendly adventures check out this free Utah Bucket List.
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