Steinaker State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steinaker State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Steinaker Dam and Reservoir
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 Steinaker State Park
Location in Utah
Steinaker State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Uintah, Utah, United States |
| Area | 2,283 acres (9.24 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,500 ft (1,700 m) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Visitors | 91434 (in 2011) |
| Operator | Utah State Parks |
Steinaker State Park is a fun place to visit in Utah, USA! It's both a state park and a large reservoir (a human-made lake). You can find it about 7 miles (11 km) north of Vernal in Uintah County, Utah.
The park first opened its doors to visitors in 1964. It sits high up at about 5,500 feet (1,676 meters) in the northeastern part of Utah, not far from the Uinta Mountains. The weather here is usually dry, with hot summers and cold winters.
The park is named after John Steinaker. His family was one of the first pioneer families to settle in this area.
Contents
Plants and Animals at Steinaker
Even though the area is dry, many plants and animals call Steinaker State Park home.
Plant Life
You'll see different types of plants that are good at living in dry places. These include:
Wildlife You Might See
Keep your eyes open for some cool animals! The park is home to:
Birds in the Sky
Many different birds fly over Steinaker State Park. Some of the birds you might spot include:
- Golden eagles
- Various types of hawks
- Bright bluebirds
- Vultures
- Owls
- Osprey, a type of fish-eating hawk
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Steinaker State Park is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. It's a great place to spend a day or even a weekend!
Popular Activities
You can enjoy lots of water activities here, such as:
- Swimming in the reservoir
- Fishing for different kinds of fish
- Boating with your family and friends
- Waterskiing across the water
Park Facilities and Amenities
The park has many things to make your visit comfortable and fun. These facilities are open all year round:
- A sandy beach where you can relax
- A boat launching ramp to get your boat into the water
- Clean restrooms
- 31 campsites for RVs (recreational vehicles)
- Two pavilions for group gatherings or picnics
- Stations for sewage disposal and fish cleaning stations
Nearby Attractions
If you're exploring the area around Steinaker State Park, there are other cool places to visit nearby:
- Dinosaur National Monument: See real dinosaur fossils!
- Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area: A huge area for outdoor adventures.
- Red Fleet State Park: Another state park with dinosaur footprints.
- Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum: Learn more about the area's natural history.
About Steinaker Dam
The large lake at Steinaker State Park is created by the Steinaker Dam. This dam helps hold back the water to form the reservoir.
The Steinaker Dam is about 162 feet (49 meters) high and 1,997 feet (609 meters) long. It's an embankment dam, which means it's made mostly of earth and rock. The reservoir gets its water from Ashley Creek. The dam was built between 1959 and 1962.
