At the bay: Personal watercraft not necessary to have a good time at Saratoga Springs Marina
Saratoga Springs Marina has a grassy area for picnics, as well as restrooms, fish-gutting station for fishermen, picnic tables and barbecue grills. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
Saratoga Springs Marina has a grassy area for picnics, as well as restrooms, fish-gutting station for fishermen, picnic tables and barbecue grills. Jessica Eyre/Utah Adventurer
If there ever was a multitasking activity center, we found it on the Fourth of July at the Saratoga Springs Marina at Utah Lake’s Pelican Bay.
When you hear “marina” you might think that you need a boat or personal water craft. And while, yes, those things are great — we had a couple of waverunners — it’s not at all necessary to have one to enjoy the water and scenery, and to have a good time.
My mom and dad went down to the dock at about 7 a.m. — a relatively late arrival on a holiday weekend, particularly when the American Fork marina is under water. Only 45 boats are allowed in at a time — once that number is hit, you’ll need to wait for someone to leave before they’ll let you launch your boat.
Here’s what’s great about the Saratoga Springs setup: the grass. Instead of baking on cement or dirt and weeds, we set up a blanket, umbrella and lawn chairs on the grass. Other visitors to the marina brought a volleyball net, Frisbees and a portable grill to cook hot dogs and carne asada.
With a new baby in tow (she turned 4 weeks on July 4) I was worried about the heat and sun, but Mother Nature smiled on us that day and the cloud cover kept the temperature perfect for both lounging and enjoying the lake.
The waverunners were too fast for my 3-year-old son, who much preferred to wade into the water to toss rocks and collect floating reeds. Other children were swimming here, and it was the place to launch kayaks and other non-motorized water craft.
Our 4-week-old baby spent most of the time sleeping on a towel under the umbrella, which worked out well because of the proximity of the grassy area, the docks and the swimming area.
The marina also is a draw for fishermen, who set up on top of the rock wall that creates the marina. A fish-gutting station is available, as are picnic tables, barbecue grills and restrooms.
IF YOU GO:
Saratoga Springs Marina
Where: Take the Pioneer Crossing (at American Fork) exit off I-15. Follow Pioneer Crossing to Redwood Road. Turn left (south) and watch for the sign to Saratoga Springs Marina.
Amenities: Restrooms, fish-gutting station, grass, picnic tables, barbecue grills
Cost: $8 per car (with a separate cost for watercraft)