Causey Reservoir

How to Get There

From Salt Lake City (60 mi): Take I-15 N to Ogden, continue east on UT-39 through Ogden Canyon, then follow signs to Causey Reservoir past Pineview Reservoir.

Overview

Causey Reservoir is a quiet mountain reservoir in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, about 15 miles northeast of Ogden, Utah. It is not a national or state park but a Forest Service recreation site on a dam-impounded canyon, and it is best known for its calm, non-motorized waters, steep forested walls and lack of crowds compared with nearby Pineview Reservoir. The reservoir is popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing for trout and kokanee, and cliff jumping, and it is one of the few places in Utah where spearfishing is allowed. Deer and birds of prey are commonly seen, and hiking trails climb the surrounding ridgelines. Because no motorized boats are allowed, visitors come mainly for a peaceful, nature-focused escape just an hour from Salt Lake City.

Access

Causey Reservoir sits in the Wasatch Range east of Ogden, reached by SR-39 through Ogden Canyon, past Pineview Reservoir and Huntsville, and then by the Forest Service’s Causey Road, which is about 60 miles from Salt Lake City overall. Most visitors drive, and parking is limited, so arrive early on summer weekends. There is no public transportation, cell service can be limited, and facilities are minimal, so bring water and supplies. The Forest Service has been carrying out safety and recreation improvements at the dam, and construction-related closures of parts of the reservoir area, roads and trailheads have been in effect through 2027, so check the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest alerts or call the Ogden Ranger District at (385) 405-7100 before you go.

Seasons

Late spring through early fall is the main season, when the road is open and the water is warm enough for swimming, paddling and cliff jumping. Summer weekends are the busiest, and mornings are quieter and calmer for kayakers. Fall brings cooler hiking weather and autumn color on the canyon slopes. Winter conditions limit road access, and the area is usually reached only with difficulty when snow closes the road, though the reservoir is sometimes used for ice fishing when conditions allow. Check current conditions and any seasonal closures with the Forest Service, since construction work can affect access in any season.

Visitor Centers

There is no visitor center at Causey Reservoir, and the site has few developed facilities; restrooms have been reported at the Skull Crack Trailhead on the south end. Information is available from the Ogden Ranger District office of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which is open on weekdays, and from the Forest Service website, which posts current alerts and closures. Rules include non-motorized boating only, life jackets, leashed dogs and no fireworks or alcohol.

Camping and Lodging

Causey Reservoir is primarily a day-use area, with no developed campground at the water. Forest Service campgrounds in the surrounding Ogden Valley, such as South Fork and Anderson Cove, offer rustic camping nearby, though availability and reservoir-related restrictions can change, so confirm with the Forest Service. For hotels and inns, Huntsville and Eden in Ogden Valley are the closest, Ogden has the widest choice within about 30 minutes, and Salt Lake City is about an hour away.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for Causey Reservoir, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from U.S. Forest Service.