Utah

Utah County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Fairly new small reservoir, and pretty shallow (I was able to get a maximum reading of 16 feet). The reservoir collects tumbleweeds in the fall and winter, making for almost reef like structures. Some very large rocks and a few big logs. This lake has a lot of fish (mostly rainbow trout and albino's). Very close to Utah valley, great for training dives (Underwater Nav and Night Diving in particular). Can easily explore the majority of the place on a single tank.

Just east of the parking lot, about 100 feet.

Spanish Fork

Spanish Fork Reservoir

Interesting dive - very dense freshwater plants growing up in large clumps from the bottom to the surface - much like kelp. I believe its blatterwort. You literally have to find channels threw it which is a really cool experience. On the bottom are more crawfish than you can count, everywhere.
Very shallow, great for buoyancy practice.
Bottom is extremely soft mud, but due to all the plants little silting with dense root systems. 
Gradually gets deeper as you make your way out of the very protected lagoon. Usually the warmest part of the lake since its shallow and warms more easily. 
Name is a misnomer - yes very soft mud bottom but surprisingly clear though heavy alga concentration. Good amount of fish too.




Strawberry - Mud Creek

Beach dive moderate slope into lake bottom channel. Gets deeper naturally as you head towards the dam. Some fish. Several distinct ledges to follow at roughly 20', 50' and 80'.
Topography underwater roughly follows that above water in that area.
Bottom is soft and easily stirred, not a lot of vegetation.
Altitude Dive, over 5,000'.

More diving info - http://www.utahdiving.com/deercrek.htm 



Deer Creek - Sailboat Beach

Easy dive area, shallow lagoon.
Bottom is mostly mud, some brush. Access varies depending how high the res is.
Vis is usually pretty poor with a fair amount of algae.
Nice area to practice; dry suit, navigation.
Altitude dive, over 5,000'.

More information http://www.utahdiving.com/deercrek.htm 



Deer Creek - Rainbow Landing

Gradually slopes out toward the lake, and depth here depends on the time of year and recent water trends (I have seen this place exposed before). Some downed trees and cage looking plant skeletons. Lots of rocks, a few small fish, and a few bottles/cans here and there. Not a whole lot to see. At 25 feet or so it gets fairly dark when a cloud blocks the sun. Towards the end of the dive the wind picked up pretty bad (35mph or so) and visibility dropped to around 2-3 feet and had to hold hands with buddy to navigate back toward entry point. A lot of boat traffic in this area, and despite a big yellow float and a flag I still had a Jet Ski shoot right over us twice! No noticeable thermocline while we were there. Water was about 65F and we were comfortable in 7mm wetsuits, no gloves or hoods. 

Parking area very near, walk in access. 

Deer Creek - North of Island

Interesting site with some good underwater topography. Many rock ledges and walls to follow or go down. 
Lots of crawfish. Some fish.
Water fairly clear for the area. Several strong thermoclines, in mid summer the first 20' mid 60's, 20'-50' mid 50's and below 50-60' mid 40's. 
Can do an interesting dive along the rock wall following the shoreline and stay in the second thermocline or even warmer first with some curious fish, large crawdads everywhere and chicken bones everywhere from the crawdadders.
Can also dive from the drive at the east point of the bay for a more gradual, shallower dive that is similar to mud creek but less plants. 
There is also a bathroom which can be handy.



Strawberry - NE Bay

An old hot spring provides a fun and inexpensive dive for beginners and advanced alike.  It is a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock that nature has hollowed out and filled with 90' to 96' crystal-clear mineral water.  The Homestead Crater is the only warm water scuba diving destination in the continental US and it attracts many diving enthusiasts and those wishing to get certified in a comfortable environment.  The hole in the top of the dome lets in light while keeping in the heat.  You can dive this year-round and it is a popular place for scuba classes and in-water certification.

Homestead Crater is located in Midway, Utah, just outside Park City.

Homestead Crater

Anglefish, Butterfly Fish, Nurse Sharks



Bonneville Seabase

Three separate bays connected by channels. Great for seeing sea life away from the ocean. (Angels, Groupers, Sharks (Nurse), Tangs, Puffers, Jacks, Bats, Monos, Scats, Damsels.) Snorkel and Scuba, deepest bay is 62 ft. boat wreck and compass training. water temp is 70-90 degrees depending on depth and time of year.  http://www.seabase.net/

From Salt Lake City, go West on I-80 to exit 84 (look for the Morton Salt Plant).  Turn left onto the frontage road at the stop-sign, then take the second left under the freeway onto Highway 138 (towards Grantsville).  Go South on Hwy. 138 for five miles.  Sea base is on the left (East) side of the road.

Bonneville Sea Base



Camperworld Hot Springs
5600 W 19200 N, Garland, Utah 84312

Belmont Hot Springs is also known as Udy Hot Springs.

Belmont Hot Springs

This is an OK site for training.  The entry is shallow at first and then drops off at a fast rate to a wall.  To the south is a small wreck to see.  The site is mostly used for training.  To the South is a BSA Aquatic camp where diving is part of the activities.

Take the Bear Lake State Park road from Lake Town, Utah. Access from shore is over rocks to the rocky beach.

Spanish Fork Reservoir

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Spanish Fork Reservoir