Quail Creek is one of the few places in Southern Utah where you can spend an entire day on the water with no permit, no timed entry, and no long drive from St. George.
Key Takeaways
- Quail Creek State Park sits near Hurricane, Utah, which is roughly 14 miles north of St. George and 34 miles west of Zion National Park.
- The Quail Creek Reservoir covers about 600 surface acres and reaches a maximum depth of around 120 feet.
- The reservoir holds rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, crappie, bluegill, and bass.
- Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and hiking are the main things to do at Quail Creek State Park, and the gates stay open year-round.
- Quail Creek State Park charges a day-use entrance fee per vehicle, opens daily at 6 a.m., and offers both primitive and full-hookup campsites.
Quail Creek State Park gives Southern Utah travelers something the desert doesn’t usually offer: warm, swimmable water and easy boat access. The reservoir stays mild enough for paddling and fishing throughout the year, and it’s close enough to St. George for a spontaneous afternoon trip.
If you’re planning a visit to Quail Creek, here are answers to the questions travelers ask most before heading to the park.
Where Is Quail Creek State Park?
Quail Creek State Park is in Washington County in the far southwest corner of Utah, just outside the town of Hurricane. It’s about 14 miles north of St. George and roughly 34 miles west of Zion National Park.
To get to the park from the interstate, leave I-15 at Exit 16, drive about three miles east on SR-9, then turn left onto SR-318 and follow it to the entrance station.
Do You Have To Pay To Get Into Quail Creek State Park?
Quail Creek State Park charges the following day-use entrance fees:
- Utah residents: $20 per vehicle
- Utah residents age 65 and older: $10 per vehicle
- Out-of-state visitors: $25 per vehicle
- Walk-in and bicycle entry: $5 per person
- Night fishing: $15 per person
The South Overlook and DWR field office parking lot also falls under day-use fee enforcement, so don’t assume a pull-off is free parking.
Is Quail Creek State Park Open Year-Round?
Quail Creek State Park stays open all year. Warm water and mild winters keep boaters and anglers coming through in seasons when most Utah lakes go quiet.
What Are the Hours for Quail Creek State Park?
Quail Creek State Park opens daily at 6 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. year-round. Boat ramp hours vary by season and run shorter in winter than in midsummer.
How Many Acres Is Quail Creek State Park?
The reservoir at Quail Creek State Park covers about 588 surface acres. That modest size is part of the appeal. You can see most of the shoreline from the boat ramp, and a rental kayak covers a satisfying part of the water in an afternoon.
What Is There To Do at Quail Creek State Park?
Warm water and mild winters make boating and angling at Quail Creek State Park the headline activities, but visitors can enjoy plenty of other activities and amenities:
- Waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, and scuba diving
- Kayak, paddleboard, boat, and personal watercraft rentals
- Developed beaches, a seasonal water playground, and beach volleyball
- Hiking, biking, birding, and photography along the shoreline
- Petroglyph panels scattered around the park
An offshore inflatable course run by a local outfitter adds slides, trampolines, a rope swing, and a climbing wall for anyone who’d rather play than paddle. On-site retail partners also sell food, drinks, ice, and the small things people always forget on a lake day.
Can You Camp at Quail Creek State Park?
Overnight stays are allowed at Quail Creek State Park, which has primitive campsites along with sites that include power and water. A newer campground added 26 developed sites with hookups plus a dump station, and there’s a group campsite and a reservable pavilion if you’re bringing a crowd.
Rates run about $28 per night for primitive campsites and $40 for a powered site, with an extra vehicle fee and a two-vehicle limit per site. Reservations go through the Utah State Parks system, and summer weekends fill early, so book well ahead.
Are There Showers at Quail Creek State Park?
Quail Creek State Park has showers in the campground, along with restrooms, potable water, ADA-accessible sites, and a sewer dump station. They’re a campground amenity, though, so day-use visitors shouldn’t count on rinsing off before the drive home.
If a hot shower matters after a long afternoon in the sun, plan on staying overnight somewhere with full facilities.
Is It Safe To Swim in Quail Creek?
Swimming at Quail Creek is allowed, and the park actively promotes its beaches and warm water. Bacteria counts at the beach access have tested below recreational thresholds, and no harmful algae mats have been observed at the reservoir recently.
Conditions in open water still shift with temperature and runoff, so check the state’s current advisories the morning you go.
How Deep Is Quail Creek Reservoir?
Quail Creek Reservoir reaches a maximum depth of about 120 feet, with the deepest water located away from the swimming beaches. During warmer months, the surface heats up while deeper water stays cooler. These temperature layers affect where fish gather throughout the reservoir.
What Fish Are in Quail Creek Reservoir?
Quail Creek Reservoir holds the following fish:
- Rainbow trout
- Bullhead catfish
- Crappie
- Largemouth bass
- Bluegill
- Smallmouth bass
Check the current Utah fishing guidebook for fishing limits before you cast.
Is Quail Creek Trail Inside Quail Creek State Park?
Despite the shared name, Quail Creek Trail is not inside Quail Creek State Park. It’s a Bureau of Land Management trail near Leeds, Utah, and is accessed from the White Reef Trailhead in the Red Cliffs Recreation Area.
Are Dogs Allowed at Quail Creek State Park?
Dogs are allowed on the beach, in the water, and on trails at Quail Creek State Park. They must stay on a leash no longer than six feet and remain under control. Owners are also expected to clean up after their pets.
Stay Minutes From Quail Creek State Park at Settler’s Junction
After a sun-drenched day of paddling, swimming, and exploring the red rocks, the last thing you want is a grueling drive back to camp. Tucked away in Toquerville, UT, Settler’s Junction RV Resort keeps you only 15 minutes away from the boat launches and glassy waters of the reservoir. We have you covered with full-hookup sites, pet-friendly vibes, and all the modern comforts you crave after a day in the dirt.
Plus, you’ll have over 100 acres of wide-open BLM land right next door to explore, with Zion National Park just a short cruise down the road. Book your spot at Settler’s Junction today, pack the gear, and set up the ultimate basecamp for camping near Quail Creek State Park.