Provo River: Fire Station #3 to Utah Lake

This part of the provo river is what I call the forgotten section. It starts off in a highly populated area of the city of Provo. Some of the landmarks include: Deseret Industries, the Provo hospital, and Fire Station #3 where you can often view the springtime carp spawn in it's spectacular menagerie. Yes, you can see the carp jumping up the dam. It is a marvelous display of nature. I took my friend Tamba fishing here and caught one on camera trying to climb the waterfall while we pulled out some white bass.

Tamba's first time fishing in America and first time with a luer.

There are lots of "no parking" signs at the fire station so do not park there. There are many private business parking areas close by. Make sure you get permission to park, or there is public parking in the adjacent city park down river a little ways. You can put in there or walk back. What I do is drop off the gear by the dam and then I go park. By the time I get back my kayak is river ready. "I get by with a little help from my friends." John Lennon 

The river starts off very fun from the get go. Be on your guard, the water is swift immediately with a few dropping cascades as you view nature's intimate mingling with surrounding urban structures. 

The water flow in this river is controlled by snowmelt and the release of water at Deer Creek dam. Tree fall and debret build up have built natural dams at times and made this journey a much more exciting adventure. However, The large water release last spring has cleared many of the obstacles out of the rivers path and  new ones are beginning to form.  It is like a new river was built in Provo and the old river that I knew so well is gone. 

Access to the river is year round and because it is the forgotten river you will find that the river is yours. I rarely have to share it. I have however shared this paragon of water with white water kayakers in the upper section and canoers in the lower section. This is more likely to happen on one of Utah's pristine summer days.  However, if you are brave enough to tackle a solo winter paddle you can find the serenity of the silent city right in the smack dab of the city of Provo. 

Because this is mostly an urban kayak trip, take outs are everywhere. You will pass all kinds of public parking areas that can be considered a take out. I prefer the take out closest to Utah Lake so I can experience the fullness of the river. Just head toward the Provo Marina and before you drive into the State Park take a right and then another right into a free parking area that you will share with bicycle enthusiasts that ride the river trail. If you park closest to the river you can see your car from the river as you approach it on your kayak.

(Put in)

Map to Provo Fire Station #3 (Click)

(Take out)

Take out near Provo Marina (click)