Beyond the Open Water: A Guide to Utah's Best Cliffside Paddleboarding

Favorite Paddle Boarding Sites Shoreline Cliffs

Best Shoreline Cliffs Immersive VR 360

I absolutely love paddleboarding, but let's be honest—paddling on a big, open lake with nothing but water to look at can get a little boring. The real magic happens when you have an interesting shoreline to explore, with inlets to duck into and cool cliffs to get right up close to. There is no better feeling than gliding on glassy smooth water, snuggling right up to a massive cliff face and just being in awe. I've compiled a list of my absolute favorite spots in Utah to do just that. These locations are amazing, so prepare to be blown away!

The Golden Nugget 🌟

Don't Miss This: The cliffs by the dam at Strawberry Reservoir. Most of the lake is just open water, but if you paddle over to the dam, the scenery transforms from boring to extraordinary. It's a fantastic secret spot that most people don't know about!

EXPLORE MORE ADVENTURES ON VR GETAWAY

While there isn't a single video for all these amazing spots, you can find many of my water-based adventures on my YouTube channel! Put on your VR headset and search for "VR Getaway" to find a relaxing escape on the water.

"I love being in awe and snuggling right up to those cliffs when the water is glassy smooth."

Adventure at a Glance

🏞️ Locations: Flaming Gorge, Red Fleet Reservoir, Strawberry Reservoir, Utah
🚶‍♀️ Activity: Paddleboarding (SUP), Kayaking
⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
☀️ Best For: Exploring unique shorelines, cliff jumping, finding dinosaur tracks.
⏳ Best Time: Summer and early Fall when water is warm and calm.
🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: Flaming Gorge Bridge from below, the Red Fleet dinosaur tracks, cliffs by the Strawberry dam.

My Top 3 Cliffside Paddles

Here are my personal favorite spots for an unforgettable paddleboarding adventure along stunning cliffs and shorelines.

1. Flaming Gorge Reservoir (by the Bridge)

The views paddling under the iconic Flaming Gorge bridge and into the deep canyon are absolutely world-class. However, getting your board to the water here is a bit tricky. The trail down is steep and can be a little scary while carrying a large paddleboard. My advice is to have two people to carry the board down, and just take your time. The effort is more than worth it for the incredible scenery that awaits.

2. Red Fleet Reservoir

This lake is like a miniature Lake Powell! The sandstone cliffs and coves are incredible to explore. If you put your board in at the boat ramp and head to the left, the magic begins. The only downside to Red Fleet is the campground, which is basically a parking lot, but the paddling makes up for it. Directly across from the boat dock, you can paddle right up to real dinosaur footprints preserved in the rock. You can even glide under a cool cove, beach your board, and cliff jump off the overhang! There's a neat arch to watch for, too.

3. Strawberry Reservoir

I'll be honest, most of this huge lake is pretty boring for paddleboarding. BUT, if you head straight for the dam, the landscape completely transforms. The cliffs that line the shore near the dam are amazing and make the whole trip worthwhile. It’s a secret that most visitors miss! Keep an eye out for Great Blue Herons here; I’ve seen them a few times. This is also a gorgeous spot for sunsets on the east side of the reservoir.

Honorable Mention: Starvation Reservoir also has some neat rock formations, but the few times I've been, the water has been too choppy to safely get close to the cliffs. On a calm day, it could be another great spot to explore!

Your Paddleboarding Guide: Helpful Hints

♦️ Flaming Gorge Safety: The trail to the water near the bridge is steep. Take it slow and go with a partner to help carry your board.
♦️ Red Fleet Dinosaur Tracks: While the hiking trail is fun, accessing the dinosaur footprints from the water is a unique experience that lets you avoid the crowds.
♦️ Strawberry's Secret: Don't judge the whole lake by its open water. The real beauty for paddlers is hidden away by the dam.
♦️ Check the Wind: Wind is the enemy of a paddleboarder. Always check the forecast before you go, as conditions on these large reservoirs can change quickly.

Conclusion

For me, the true joy of paddleboarding is the unique perspective it gives you. It allows you to quietly glide into places you could never reach on foot and to experience the grandeur of nature from a new angle. These shoreline adventures turn a simple paddle into a journey of discovery. I hope this guide inspires you to look beyond the open water on your next trip and find the magic that's waiting along the cliffs.

Happy Paddling!

Shauna from VRGetaways