Birding in Utah

Explore 53 birding hotspots across wetland, marsh, coastal, river/riparian, mountain, forest, lake, urban park, canyon habitats in Utah.

53

Locations

85+

Notable Species

9

Habitat Types

3

Peak Seasons

Complete Utah Birding Guide

Top locations, species, seasonal tips, and more

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Birding Locations in Utah

Avocets and phalaropes on mudflats at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Utah

Easy

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Great Salt Lake marshes and critical Western Hemisphere shorebird staging area.

WetlandMarshSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Antelope Island State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 264 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Antelope Island State Park - Antelope Island (island only)

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 237 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
a herd of animals walking across a snow covered field

Utah

Easy

Antelope Island State Park - Causeway

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 251 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Antelope Island State Park - Garr Ranch

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 243 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Antelope Island State Park - Road to Garr Ranch

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 218 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
a car driving through a flooded road

Utah

Moderate

Bear River MBR - Auto Tour Loop

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Utah with 264 recorded species.

River/RiparianSummerFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Bear River MBR - Visitor Center

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Utah with 207 recorded species.

River/RiparianSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Bird Refuge Road

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 209 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Bountiful Pond

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 236 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Buffalo Ranch Pond

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 217 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Confluence Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Utah with 226 recorded species.

Urban ParkSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Deseret Ranch

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 237 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

East Canyon State Park - Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 225 recorded species.

LakeCanyonSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Echo Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 216 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
a group of animals standing on top of a dry grass field

Utah

Moderate

Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 261 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSummerFall
Wetland birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Utah with 298 recorded species.

WetlandSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Grafton

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 202 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Gunlock Reservoir & State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 225 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Ivins Reservoir (Fire Lake Park)

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 217 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Jackson Flat Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 215 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Jordan River Parkway - 12600 S to Bangerter Hwy

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Utah with 210 recorded species.

River/RiparianSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Kolob Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 210 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Kolob Terrace

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 203 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
A flock of birds flying in a grey sky.

Utah

Challenging

Lee Kay Ponds

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 230 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Lincoln Beach - Boat Launch Area

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 207 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Lincoln Beach - Lincoln Point to LeBarron Point

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 201 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Little Dell Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 208 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Lost Creek - Croydon

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Utah with 210 recorded species.

River/RiparianSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Lytle Ranch Preserve

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 288 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Mantua Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 202 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Matheson Wetlands Preserve - Main Pond & Boardwalk

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 215 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Minersville Reservoir - South Side (Hwy 21)

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 221 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Northlake Park & Loch Lomond Pond

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 210 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Ogden Bay Wildlife Management Area

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 206 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Ogden Bay Wildlife Management Area - North Parking Lot

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 200 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSummerFall
Wetland birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Utah with 229 recorded species.

WetlandSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Pelican Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 207 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Powell Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 223 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Provo Airport Dike

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 258 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Quail Creek Reservoir & State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 249 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Quichapa Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 217 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

River Lane

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Utah with 253 recorded species.

River/RiparianSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Rockport Reservoir & State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 236 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Salt Lake International Center

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 232 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Sand Hollow Reservoir & State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 258 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Tonaquint Nature Center

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 245 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Utah Lake Parkway Trail (North Shore)

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 253 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSummerFall
Lake birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Utah Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Utah with 257 recorded species.

LakeSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Washington Fields

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 211 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall
Coastal birding habitat

Utah

Easy

Willard Bay State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Utah with 244 recorded species.

CoastalSummerFall
Wetland birding habitat

Utah

Moderate

Willard Spur Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Utah with 200 recorded species.

WetlandSummerFall
Mountain birding habitat

Utah

Challenging

Zion National Park

Mountain birding hotspot in Utah with 234 recorded species.

MountainForestSummerFall

Notable Species

Key species found across birding locations in Utah:

Wilson's PhalaropeAmerican AvocetWhite-faced IbisSnowy PloverTundra SwanCinnamon TealVirginia RailAmerican CootGreat Blue HeronNorthern HarrierGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelHorned LarkEuropean StarlingWestern MeadowlarkChukarBurrowing OwlAmerican CrowCommon RavenCanada Goose

Habitats & Best Seasons

Habitat Types:

WetlandMarshCoastalRiver/RiparianMountainForestLakeUrban ParkCanyon

Best Seasons:

SpringSummerFall

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots in Utah?
The top birding locations in Utah include Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Antelope Island State Park, Antelope Island State Park - Antelope Island (island only), Antelope Island State Park - Causeway, Antelope Island State Park - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park - Road to Garr Ranch, Bear River MBR - Auto Tour Loop, Bear River MBR - Visitor Center, Bird Refuge Road, Bountiful Pond, Buffalo Ranch Pond, Confluence Park, Deseret Ranch, East Canyon State Park - Reservoir, Echo Reservoir, Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Grafton, Gunlock Reservoir & State Park, Ivins Reservoir (Fire Lake Park), Jackson Flat Reservoir, Jordan River Parkway - 12600 S to Bangerter Hwy, Kolob Reservoir, Kolob Terrace, Lee Kay Ponds, Lincoln Beach - Boat Launch Area, Lincoln Beach - Lincoln Point to LeBarron Point, Little Dell Reservoir, Lost Creek - Croydon, Lytle Ranch Preserve, Mantua Reservoir, Matheson Wetlands Preserve - Main Pond & Boardwalk, Minersville Reservoir - South Side (Hwy 21), Northlake Park & Loch Lomond Pond, Ogden Bay Wildlife Management Area, Ogden Bay Wildlife Management Area - North Parking Lot, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Pelican Lake, Powell Lake, Provo Airport Dike, Quail Creek Reservoir & State Park, Quichapa Lake, River Lane, Rockport Reservoir & State Park, Salt Lake International Center, Sand Hollow Reservoir & State Park, Tonaquint Nature Center, Utah Lake Parkway Trail (North Shore), Utah Lake State Park, Washington Fields, Willard Bay State Park, Willard Spur Wildlife Management Area, Zion National Park. Each offers unique habitats and species.
When is the best time to go birding in Utah?
The best seasons for birding in Utah are Spring and Summer and Fall. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area.
What birds can I see in Utah?
Notable species in Utah include Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, White-faced Ibis, Snowy Plover, Tundra Swan, Cinnamon Teal, Virginia Rail, American Coot, and more. The state supports wetland, marsh, coastal, river/riparian, mountain, forest, lake, urban park, canyon habitats.

Plan Your Birding Trip

Get the most out of your birding adventure in Utah with our expert guides.