Hobie Cat Beach

Relax and swim Lake Powell from Hobie Cat Beach

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Bullfrog, near the main launch ramp

Significance:

Swimming access to Lake Powell

Amenities

5 listed

Beach/Water Access, Parking - Auto, Pets Allowed, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trash Dumpster

Hobie Cat Beach at Bullfrog is the only swimming location uplake where motorized boats are not permitted

Swimming is a popular activity at Lake Powell, especially in the summer when water temperatures can surpass 80 degrees Fahrenheit. There are no life guards at Lake Powell. Swim at your own risk. Swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas. Motorized vessels are not permitted past the buoys, but kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are permitted.

Pets are permitted on leash, do not let your pet disturb other beachgoers. Pick up any waste they create.

Hobie Cat beach is day use only. No overnight camping; No campfires. No glass containers. Bring in what you need, pack everything out! The vault toilet is further back on the road, and there are no amenitites. Drive back to the vault toilet or plan on carrying out your human waste. You should already have waste bags for your dog.

At the Beach: Sunglasses, Sandals, Sunscreen, and Safe Practices

• Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
• Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
• Protect your eyes, wear sunglasses that will absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
• Wear foot protection such as closed toed sandals. The sand can burn your feet and glass, quagga mussel shells, and other sharp objects can cut them.
• Never swim in waters that have algal scum floating on the water which may indicate that a Harmful Algal Bloom is occurring.
• Always wash your hands before eating, shower with soap after playing in the water, and never go in the water if you have open sores or cuts.

Getting to the Beach

From Hwy 276 heading toward Bullfrog Main Launch Ramp, just past the Corner Store/gas station on your right and the Utah AIS Decontamination Station (parking lot D) on your left, you’ll see a small sign that says “Hobie Cat Beach,” turn left. It will look like you’re going into the picnic/day use area but stay left onto the dirt road.

The road is currently in good shape, but if we get some summer thunderstorms and the road gets wet or washes out in a flash flood, even 4WD won’t help. It’s best to stay off the Hobie Cat Beach road when it’s wet. The speed limit is 20 mph to minimize wash-boarding and to increase your ability to stop and/or otherwise control your vehicle.

About ½ mile in on the left (or on your right as you are leaving) there is a pull out where you can use the vault toilet and dump your garbage.

Two tamarisks (salt cedars) generally mark the beginning of the actual beach. In recent wetter years (2017/2018) the edge of the lake has been almost to these two bushes, or maybe even a little past them. However, driving your vehicle off the “road” here, as tempting as it may be with those tire tracks leading you astray, will likely get you stuck in some surprisingly deep sand (or mud if it’s been raining). So, stay on the gravel road as much as possible.