Water Recreation Around St. George
St. George's three reservoirs — Sand Hollow, Quail Creek, and Gunlock — for boating, paddleboarding, swimming, and fishing, plus what to know before you go.
When the desert heats up, locals head for the water — and St. George has more of it than most people expect. Three reservoirs, each within about twenty minutes of town, cover everything from jet-ski-and-beach days to quiet dawn paddles. All three are state or county water bodies, not city pools, so plan for a park entrance fee and pack your own shade, water, and life jackets.
Sand Hollow Reservoir
The big one. About twenty minutes east toward Hurricane, Sand Hollow pairs warm, blue water with sandy beaches and red-rock islands you can paddle out to. It's the busiest and most social of the three — jet skis, boats, paddleboards, and swimmers all share the water on a summer weekend. The sand dunes right next door make it a natural pairing with an off-road day; see our Sand Hollow off-roading guide if you want to split the day between water and dunes.
Quail Creek Reservoir
About fifteen minutes northeast, Quail Creek is Sand Hollow's calmer, deeper cousin. The surrounding hills block a lot of the wind, so the water tends to stay glassier — better for a relaxed paddleboard or a swim, and a favorite for fishing (it holds bass and trout). It's smaller and usually less crowded than Sand Hollow.
Gunlock Reservoir
To the northwest, Gunlock is the quiet one — a more secluded, low-key spot for paddling and fishing away from the crowds. Its claim to fame comes in a big-water year: when the spring runoff is heavy enough to send water over the spillway, a set of temporary waterfalls appears over the slickrock below the dam and draws a crowd for a few weeks. The rest of the year it's a peaceful place to launch a kayak.
Before you go
Southern Utah sun is deceptive on the water — reapply sunscreen and drink more than you think you need. Afternoon wind can pick up fast, especially at Sand Hollow, so paddlers often go early. And Utah law requires a wearable life jacket on board for each person, with kids under 13 wearing theirs underway.
Frequently asked questions
Which reservoir near St. George is best for paddleboarding?
Quail Creek and Gunlock are the calmer picks — surrounding hills block the wind and keep the water glassier. Sand Hollow is beautiful but busier and windier in the afternoon, so paddlers there tend to go early in the day.
Do I need to pay to visit Sand Hollow or Quail Creek?
Yes. Both are state parks with a per-vehicle day-use entrance fee, and Gunlock is a state park as well. There are no concessions to speak of at Gunlock, so bring your own water, food, and shade.