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For those seeking an escape to peaceful and quiet outdoor activities this summer, camping at Causey Reservoir just east of Ogden, Utah, is the perfect destination. From fly fishing to canoeing, campers would be hard-pressed to find a more tranquil and relaxing getaway than this small mountain lake in the northern region of the Beehive State. Because no motorized water vehicles are allowed, all visitors can revel in Mother Nature without all the noise of mechanized humankind.
If you’re ready to check out this fantastic primitive getaway, check out our simple guide to get you there.
Where Is Causey Reservoir?
Just 15 miles northeast of Ogden, Utah, lie the chilly waters of Causey Reservoir. Because it sits about 5,700 feet above sea level, Causey is a popular place for city dwellers to cool off during the summer.
When locals dammed the Ogden River, it formed Causey Reservoir and backed its waters into three canyons. Steep terrain with forests and cliffs make up the shoreline of Causey Reservoir, a perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts who use its 142 acres for various recreational activities.
What Is Causey Reservoir Known For?
Many Causey visitors come for cliff jumping. With an average depth of 65 feet (in some places, it reaches 182 feet deep), it’s the perfect destination for this adrenaline-pumping fun.
But the overall appeal of the reservoir is its restriction of motorized boats. Only wakeless vehicles like kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes are allowed to ply its depths, making this location a tranquil escape for water lovers.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Causey Reservoir?
Summer is usually the best season to enjoy this location’s many offerings, including camping at Causey Reservoir. Watersports like swimming and kayaking are front and center here when visitors come to escape the heat of lower altitudes. Hiking the surrounding canyons and forested hillsides is a favored land activity, and many campers stick around at one of two local campgrounds close by.
But fishermen flock to the Ogden River every September to follow the migration of Kokanee salmon. Some also spend their summers snagging trout, as well.
Camping Near Causey Reservoir
Once you arrive at the lake, you won’t want to leave, so make plans to stay. You can go camping at Causey Reservoir at either of the campgrounds listed here:
South Fork Campground
Located below the dam at Causey Reservoir in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the South Fork Campground is the perfect landing spot for those wishing to dry camp right next to the river. There are 44 sites, each with a fire ring, picnic table, and cement pads.
Drinking water and vault toilets are available, and the cost per night is $24. There are no utilities or showers, but smaller RVs and tenters can enjoy dispersed camping in these single and double-sized campsites.
Many campers fish from the shore here or tube down the waters of the South Fork of the Ogden River, making the campground a popular destination for a summer getaway. It’s open from May through September and has firewood for purchase.
Anderson Cove Campground
Sitting on the shore of Pineview Reservoir a few miles east of Causey is Anderson Cove Campground. This large campground has 112 personal campsites and five group ones. It also has a store with basic supplies, and each campsite comes with a fire ring and picnic table.
There are no utilities at the sites, but it does have drinking water, vault toilets, and a dump station. The nightly cost is $28 for single campsites and $56 for doubles. Group sites run for $295 per night.
Pineview Reservoir is a central location for boaters and water skiers. Many campers enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding in the quieter lake coves. There’s also a swim beach close to the campground. Anderson Cove, like South Fork, is open May through September.
Things to Do While Camping at Causey Reservoir
Because there are no motorized boats, Causey Reservoir’s allure is its quiet waters, so kayakers, canoers, and paddleboard enthusiasts love to explore here. Swimming in the chilly mountain water is refreshing, especially when jumping into the lake’s depths from cliffs along the shoreline.
Fishermen have found that rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout are plentiful in the Ogden River but don’t forget a fishing license. September brings salmon fishers in high numbers if you’re hoping to hook Kokanee swimming upstream. And Causey Reservoir is one of the few places within the state of Utah that allows spearfishing!
Hiking trails are popular here. Because the lake formed where three canyons join, the steep hillsides and dense forest lands surrounding it are ripe for exploration. Tubing is also a favorite family activity on the South Fork just below the dam.
Enjoy Camping at Causey Reservoir!
Because of its proximity to the Ogden area, camping at Causey Reservoir has become an annual tradition. Most visitors find the region’s tranquility a great way to recharge their batteries. And families love the variety of outdoor activities right outside their tent doors.
If you haven’t experienced it yet, it might be time to add Causey Reservoir to your camping locations list.
