Think outside the boat with these 5 unique water activities around Utah

Utah’s waterways are known nationwide for a variety of reasons. 

Whether it’s whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking or just plain old boating, you’ll easily find something to do in our outdoor industry-driven state. 

However, there are plenty of other activities that are available on rivers and lakes across the state you might not think are available in landlocked Utah. 

If you’re trying to do something different this summer while on the water, take a look at some of the lesser-known aquatic activities that can be found throughout the state. 

Is your favorite water activity not listed? Tell us how you spend your summer in the comments below.

Scuba Diving

Although the Great Salt Lake is too salty for much life to survive in its water, other lakes and reservoirs in Utah are good spots to learn or practice diving.

Places like the Bonneville Seabase near Grantsville allow people to dive and take in the sights of underwater wildlife. Scuba shops in Ogden and Bountiful can teach and train those who are interested. 

Float Trips

Instead of braving intense whitewater rapids, why not calmly float down a river? Float trips are a calm, family-friendly activity that allows groups to gently float down a river, taking in the sun and getting your feet wet.

Popular locations for float trips require a little bit of a drive, with floating locations found at the Green River in Eastern Utah and the Sevier River near the center of the state. 

Rowing

It’s not just for the coasts: Rowing is alive and well in Utah. Groups like Great Salt Lake Rowing, Utah Crew and the Park City Rowing Academy make the sport available to both serious rowers looking to join a new group or the average Joe looking to get into the sport.

Sites like the Great Salt Lake and the Jordanelle Reservoir near Park City are great spots to get into this sport. 

Kiteboarding

Although this sport seems a little more on the strenuous side, kiteboarding is a fun, different way to experience Utah’s waterways.

Uintah Kiting is a company based in Park City that specializes in training newcomers how to kiteboard. The company uses the Deer Creek Reservoir for their kiteboarding customers, which is just down the road from Heber City. 

Sailing

Just about everyone loves boating, but have you ever considered sailing around one of Utah’s many bodies of water?

With organizations like the Bonneville School of Sailing, based in Orem, and Park City Sailing, just about anyone can rent a boat and learn how to maneuver the vessels and tame the seas. The Bonneville school sets sail at Utah Lake, and Park City Sailing uses the Jordanelle Reservoir to teach its sailors. 

Contact digital producer Jacob Scholl at jscholl@standard.net or follow him on Twitter at @Jacob_Scholl.