Summary
The area covers over 20,000 acres and features a variety of wildlife habitats, including wetlands, riparian areas, and upland forests.
Visitors to the wildlife area can enjoy a range of activities, including hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Some of the most popular points of interest include the Gordon Creek Reservoir, which is a popular fishing spot, and the Gordon Creek Waterfall, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elk, deer, moose, black bears, and numerous species of birds. Bird watchers will be particularly interested in the area's wetlands, which are home to a variety of waterfowl, including sandhill cranes, herons, and egrets.
The best time of year to visit the Gordon Creek State Wildlife Area is in the spring and early summer, when the weather is mild and the wildlife is most active. However, visitors should be aware that the area can become quite crowded during peak season, so it is best to plan ahead and arrive early in the day.
Overall, the Gordon Creek State Wildlife Area is a beautiful and diverse natural area that is well worth a visit for anyone interested in outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing in Utah.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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