Jackson Flat Reservoir in Kanab, Utah is a beautiful (and free!) recreation area with a plethora of awesome entertainment options. There is something fun to do here for everyone!
Jackson Flat Reservoir is an outdoor entertainment hub located 4 miles south of Kanab, Utah.
The reservoir was constructed after 15 years of planning and 19 months of construction by the Kane County Water Conservancy District in 2011. The average depth of the reservoir is 28 feet.
If you are looking for outdoor entertainment, fun in the sun, or a day of relaxation in nature, Jackson Flat Reservoir has you covered.
The best part is that unless you want to rent kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, or fishing gear, all of the activities at the beautiful Jackson Flat Reservoir are free!
Many organized events take place at Jackson Flat Reservoir. From 5K races to star-gazing parties to fireworks shows, there are a variety of fun events that happen throughout the year. Click here to view the Kanab Events Calendar to determine if any activities are going on at the reservoir during your visit.
If you are spending time in Kanab, check out these 9 reasons you should add Jackson Flat Reservoir to your bucket list.
9 Things to Do at Jackson Flat Reservoir
1. Hit the Trails
A nice, flat, paved 3.2-mile loop trail (Sherry Belle Trail) travels around the reservoir. The trail is great for walking, running, biking, or rollerblading. Pets are allowed on a leash, and the trail is wheelchair and stroller-friendly.
On the east side of the reservoir, there are a couple of dirt offshoot trails on grass peninsulas that lead out to the water’s edge. If you are looking for a longer route, a connector trail that turns off the reservoir loop trail and leads into town.
2. Cool Off in the Water
We went to Jackson Flat Reservoir on a hot day in June, and it felt so nice to take a dip in the cool water after a hot morning full of hiking in the National Parks.
Go for a refreshing swim or let the kids splash around in the shallow end. Please note that no lifeguard is on duty, so it is “swim at your own risk”. There are also fish in the reservoir, so don’t be alarmed if you feel something tickling your toes!
3. Go Fishing
Jackson Flat Reservoir is stocked with a variety of fish. Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, sunfish, and even some large catfish roam the waters. Spend a relaxing afternoon testing your luck fishing along the banks of the reservoir.
4. Canoe, Kayak, or Paddleboard
You can bring your own watercraft or rent one through Roam Outdoor. You will be surrounded by blue water and contrasting red cliffs. Sounds pretty epic! Renting a paddle board at Jackson Flat Reservoir is on my bucket list!
5. Have a Picnic
Pack a lunch or grab a to-go lunch in town and bring it to the covered outdoor pavilion at the reservoir. There are picnic tables available, as well as bathroom facilities next to the pavilion.
You could even lay out a blanket and enjoy a picnic on the grass or sand next to the water.
6. Get in a Workout
The outdoor workout area at Jackson Flat Reservoir is one of the most impressive attractions, in my opinion. It features a nice sand volleyball court and calisthenics workout equipment.
The outdoor gym includes monkey bars, a battle rope, a punching bag, weights, and bars for pull-ups, push-ups, dips, and other exercises. This equipment can be used by kids and adults alike.
You could get in the ultimate workout by running or walking along the Sherry Belle Trail, getting in a lift at the outdoor gym, and finishing with a swim or a fun game of sand volleyball. The possibilities are endless!
7. Play Frisbee Golf
Jackson Flat Reservoir’s southern and eastern shores boast an incredibly scenic (and free!) 18-hole disc golf course.
This course is fun for kids and adults alike. Our 1-year-old had a great time running along the course and retrieving our frisbees as we played. 🙂
The first few holes are pretty tame, but it gets risky after that! Many holes are right by the water’s edge and some even require your frisbee to cross the water to hit the chains.
We chickened out because we didn’t want to lose our frisbees, and it was too cold to consider retrieving them from the water if they went in.
If you were playing on a hot day, it might be fun to accidentally shank a few into the water so you could jump in and cool down when retrieving your frisbees!
We love disc golfing at home and enjoy looking for scenic frisbee golf courses when we visit new places. It’s a great way to have fun and get exercise.
8. Look for Wildlife!
In addition to the wide variety of fish in the reservoir, you can find a plethora of land wildlife at Jackson Flat Reservoir. Bring binoculars and keep your eyes out for frogs, lizards, snakes, rabbits, and other wildlife.
Bird-watching is a popular activity at Jackson Flat Reservoir. A variety of birds have been sighted in the area, including pelicans, ducks, geese, cranes, and eagles. There are different types of birds during each season. Click here to see a full list of every type of bird that has been spotted around the reservoir!
9. Play in the Sand
If you are looking for a relaxing beach day, there is a nice sandy beach at the beach park near the parking lot and pavilion/bathrooms where you can set up a chair or lay out towels and catch some rays.
If you are looking for more solitude or privacy, you can follow the Sherry Belle Trail and find a more secluded area along the reservoir to lounge in the sun.
There are multiple soft, sandy areas for kids to play in as well. In one of the sandy play areas, there are 3 different climbing boulders to explore around.
Future Plans for Jackson Flat Reservoir
If you are looking for even MORE fun at Jackson Flat, there are some exciting additions planned for this wonderful outdoor recreation area!
There are plans to build an additional entertainment area with cornhole, bocce ball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and sunken fire pits. There is also potential for a destination golf course to be built near the reservoir as well.
For further questions about the reservoir, you can contact the KCWCD office.
I hope you enjoyed these 9 great reasons why you should visit Jackson Flat Reservoir!
Check out the posts below for more fun and exciting things to do around Kanab!
