Bird Island Campground: A Unique Utah Lake Experience

Bird Island Introduce

A True Adventure on Utah Lake: Discover Bird Island

For the intrepid adventurer and seasoned paddler seeking a truly wild and unforgettable camping experience, Bird Island offers an escape unlike any other in Utah County. Located in the middle of Utah Lake, this isn't your typical drive-up campground with manicured lawns and modern amenities. Bird Island is a raw, natural, and remote destination that provides a genuine sense of solitude and accomplishment for those who are prepared to make the journey. It’s a place where the sounds of the city fade away and the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lake take center stage, accompanied by the vibrant life of its abundant avian residents.

This guide is for those who are ready to embrace a primitive camping experience, where the challenge is part of the reward. We'll provide you with the essential information you need to plan your trip, from how to get there to what services and features to expect. Prepare yourself for an adventure that will test your skills and reward you with unparalleled natural beauty and a story you’ll be telling for years to come.

Location and Accessibility: A Journey of Rigorous Accomplishment

Bird Island is situated approximately two nautical miles from the nearest shore, making it accessible only by paddlecraft such as kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards. The journey across the choppy waters of Utah Lake is a demanding paddle that requires basic navigation skills and a level of physical fitness. It is not a trip for novices or those unprepared for the unpredictable nature of the lake's conditions. Winds can kick up waves, and the weather can change quickly. It is highly recommended to check the weather forecast before attempting this trip. The island's shallow landmass can be difficult to spot from a distance, identifiable only by a large square bush that rises from its rocky surface. There are no lights or markers to guide you, so navigating at night is extremely challenging and not recommended for safety reasons.

The official address for the general area is 55GX+FG, Provo, UT 84660, USA. However, this is a navigational point on the lake, not a physical street address with a public entrance. There are no roads leading to the island itself. The closest public access points to launch your vessel would be various marinas and launch sites along the eastern shore of Utah Lake, such as the Lincoln Beach Marina or Utah Lake State Park. You will need to bring all your gear with you, as there are no services or rentals available on or near the island itself. The isolated nature of this location is what makes it a treasure for those seeking a true wilderness experience close to home.

Services Offered

On-site parking is not available directly at the campground. You must park at a nearby marina or launch point and paddle to the island.
No restroom facilities are available. This is a primitive camping experience, and all campers are expected to follow Leave No Trace principles, which includes packing out all waste.
There are no showers or running water. You must bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, or have a reliable water purification system.
No fire pits or designated cooking areas. Fires are not permitted, and campers must use their own stoves for cooking.
No on-site staff or hosts. The campground is entirely self-service and self-reliant.

Features / Highlights

Unparalleled Solitude and Scenery: This is an isolated retreat where you can truly get away from it all. The panoramic views of Utah Lake and the surrounding mountains are spectacular, especially at sunrise and sunset.
A Birder's Paradise: As its name suggests, Bird Island is a sanctuary for a wide variety of avian life. You'll be welcomed by a multitude of feathered friends, making it an excellent location for birdwatching.
Unique Camping Surface: The island is primarily composed of rocks, so it’s not a soft surface for pitching a tent. Campers should be prepared for this rocky terrain and bring a durable tent and sleeping pad. There is no sand or dirt for traditional tent stakes, so you must get creative with securing your shelter.
Full Cell Service: While you're in the middle of a remote-feeling environment, a unique modern convenience is the full cell service available on the island, allowing for emergency communication or sharing your adventure with friends.
Proximity to Other Activities: The journey to Bird Island places you in the heart of Utah Lake, with easy access to other popular lake activities. Nearby attractions include seasonal duck hunting and fishing, with the lake being home to walleye, white bass, channel catfish, and more.

Contact Information

Since Bird Island is a primitive and undeveloped natural area, there is no official contact number or address for the campground itself. The location is an island in the middle of Utah Lake. For general information about Utah Lake, you can contact the Utah Lake State Park, which oversees many of the public access points on the lake's shoreline.

Address: 4400 W Center St, Provo, UT 84601

Phone: (801) 375-0731

What Is Worth Choosing Bird Island

Bird Island is worth choosing for the seasoned camper who is looking for a truly unique and challenging experience. This is a location for those who embrace the "less is more" philosophy and find joy in self-reliance and the raw beauty of nature. The journey itself is a significant part of the experience, and the reward is a sense of solitude that is hard to find in more conventional campgrounds.

If you are an experienced paddler, a dedicated birdwatcher, or simply an adventurous soul who wants to test their skills and escape the crowds, Bird Island is a perfect choice. It offers a unique opportunity to see Utah Lake from a different perspective and to witness the natural ecosystem up close. The island's rustic, undeveloped state means you'll need to be fully prepared with your own gear, including a durable tent, a reliable stove, and plenty of water.

While the experience can be challenging, from the wind and waves to the rocky terrain, the sense of accomplishment and the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile. It’s an unforgettable experience for those who are ready to rise to the occasion. If you’re a member of the Bird Island campers club, you know what it takes to survive and thrive in this unique Utah treasure. It’s a testament to your spirit of adventure and your love for the wild, beautiful landscapes of our state.

Bird Island Details

Parking
On-site parking

Bird Island Photos

Bird Island Location

Bird Island

Utah Utah County Provo

55GX+FG, Provo, UT 84660, USA

Bird Island Reviews

An average rating of ★3.5 from 6 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Absolutely breathtaking... hosts of feathered friend fecal factories and their putrid post mortem counterparts will welcome you to this comprehensive, gratuity free, avian flu inoculative experience. Like Ernest Shackleton’s infamous elephant island, this Utah treasure is somewhere only the most intrepid adventurers get to experience. The shallow land mass is identifiable only by a large square bush that crowns it with a splash of herbaceous life on an otherwise rocky crag. Routinely, the isle sinks like the lost city of Atlantis into the depths of Utah lake during high precipitation periods only to rise again as a true “desert island” in times of drought. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience! Simply paddle 2 choppy nautical miles of rigorous accomplishment to this natural wonder in the middle of Utah lake. Like the plentiful droppings, the unparalleled panoramic views are also abundant. Best attempted in November when the subtle perfume of scat encrusted seabird corpses is at its lowest, just make sure to pack warm wind/water proof clothes and a dry bag. This isolated retreat is something to be treasured as it is truly just you, the birds, and a vast beautiful landscape.Highly recommend for experienced paddlers with basic navigation skills and others seeking a truly wildexperience.Note: while there is full cell service on the island, you will need to bring your own stove, water purification, shelter, and other amenities.Other nearby attractions include seasonal duck hunting, fishing, and the Lincoln WaRm springs!
February 25 · Stuart Schill
Bird Island? More like turd island.It’s really just a glorified sand bar made of bird poop-covered rocks. They really should make it more visible to paddle to in the middle of the night- there are no lights and the only way to figure out what direction to paddle in is to follow the silhouette of the small bush against the lights on the shore. Clearly waterway safety isn’t high on the priority list for the Campground Maintenance Team. Scenic location? More like hazard to navigation.The landscaping is really a let down, too. The bush on the north side of the island is a nice feature but clearly hasn’t been trimmed ever and it’s impossible to walk around it. There are also a couple of dead birds scattered around the base of it which really kills the vibe. Pristine environment? I say ready for retirement.I’m also pretty sure I got a couple of diseases while staying here. There’s no signage posted so I don’t think that the birds are vaccinated and you spend the entire night breathing in whatever germs go airborne off of all the bird poop. Avian flu? It gotchu.The whole island is maybe 6 inches out of the water, meaning that the campsite could easily get flooded if storms or wind kick up any big waves on the lake. You’d think that at least the wind would help blow the smell of death and bird poop away, but you’d be mistaken. Your body heat on the ground just activates the stench catapult. A nice breeze? I’d call it olfactory assault.The breeze also threatens to blow your tent over the entire night. Even with two people and a canoe set up to provide shelter from the wind, the tent bowed all night long. Any camper thinking "why not just use stakes to stake the tent down?" clearly has never spent the night on Bird Island. There’s no dirt on bird island. There’s also no sand. It’s just rocks. The stakes go in, but there’s zero friction to keep the tent held down. Sturdy foundation? Just rock-based frustration.At least complimentary meals are provided. Your choice of dead fish or rotting bird carcasses- so it’s pescatarian friendly.If you’ve made it to the end of this review you probably have what it takes to survive on Bird Island. Bird island campers club members must post overnight pictures as proof of membership.
February 25 · Julian Waters
I don't know why this is marked as a campground. It absolutely is not. It's a small rocky sandbar that rises maybe six inches above the water in a low water year and can be completely submerged in higher water years. It's a nesting habitat for a lot of water birds like seagulls and pelicans. They are all ground nesting since there are no trees, so please don't disturb them and don't try to camp on the island. Kinda cool place to paddle out to if you've got the nav skills to cross a few miles of open water, but otherwise there's nothing out there.
May 06 · Jerem Eyre
Lovely experience. Lots of fish to eat. Built a great nest for myself. Kept the eggs warm all season.
June 27 · Trace Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bird Island, Utah Lake — A Romantic Getaway for People Who Hate RomanceLooking for a remote island escape that combines the thrill of sailing at the blistering pace of a toddler’s tricycle with the charm of a guano-covered war zone? Look no further than Bird Island, Utah Lake’s crown jewel of questionable decisions.My wife and I (and our fearless miniature poodle, Rusty) embarked on this epic, life-altering voyage from Lindon Marina—because nothing says “marital bonding” like spending 9 hours trapped on a boat moving at 2.6 mph. Yes, two-point-six miles per hour, folks. I could’ve tied a string to the boat and let a turtle tow us.By the time we approached the island, my wife—either driven by curiosity or a desperate need to escape our floating snail—hopped onto the paddleboard with Rusty and braved the high seas (about 30 feet of water) to explore this fabled landmass. Meanwhile, I played a fun game called “How Close Can I Get Without Running Aground?” Spoiler alert: I lost. Luckily, my swing keel saved the day. Shoutout to poor decisions and smart boat design.And the island itself? Oh. My. Feathers.It’s called Bird Island for a reason. And not a creative one. There were birds. Thousands. Maybe millions. Majestic, soaring, squawking, pooping birds. You want ambiance? Try the pungent aroma of 700 metric tons of sun-baked bird crap wafting gently on a breeze that only shows up after you’re done sailing. Truly, it’s the Napa Valley of ornithological biohazards.But hey, if you're into post-apocalyptic avian real estate, or you're trying to spice up your marriage with the subtle scent of guano and the constant threat of being dive-bombed by angry gulls, this is the destination for you.Would I do it again?Absolutely not.Was it kind of awesome?Also yes.Rusty gives it 4 paws up, mostly because he didn’t have to clean the boat afterward.Final Rating: 5 stars, but only out of sheer respect for how weird and unforgettable it was.
July 28 · Chris Chantrill