Deer Creek State Park, Nature reserve in Wasatch County, United States

Deer Creek State Park covers 3,260 acres at 5,400 feet in southwestern Wasatch County, near Charleston at the southwest corner of the Heber Valley. Its centerpiece is Deer Creek Reservoir, held back by Deer Creek Dam, with two concrete boat ramps, a 75-unit summer campground and picnic areas along the shore.

Congress approved the reservoir in 1935 to relieve water shortages in Salt Lake City and nearby farmland, making it part of the Provo River Project. The Bureau of Reclamation began construction in spring 1938; water was available in 1941 and the project was completed in 1955. The Provo River Water Users Association repaid the costs and ran the facilities until the area became a state park in January 1971.

Before 1971, when the Provo River Water Users Association ran the reservoir, fishing was the only permitted recreation; other water sports were banned. Since the Division of Parks and Recreation took over in January 1971, boating, sailing, swimming and windsurfing have joined fishing on the water.

The best time to visit is from spring through autumn, when conditions are mild and all facilities are fully operational. Roads and pathways to the water and campgrounds are clearly marked, making navigation straightforward.

The lake itself is a man-made reservoir created to capture runoff from surrounding mountains, providing stable water levels for recreation year-round. This engineering approach transformed the landscape into a reliable destination for both locals and visitors.