A creek full of crawdads
It is not a gimmick and it is not stocked — the creek that runs the length of this canyon is genuinely full of them.
The canyon is named after them for a reason. The creek runs the entire length of the property, and once you start looking under rocks in the shallows you will find crawdads everywhere. Kids who arrive uninterested in a creek tend to disappear into it for three hours.
You do not need much: a net, a bucket, and some patience. Bacon or hot dog on a string works about as well as anything sophisticated. If you did not bring gear, the front desk sells a Crawdad Catching Kit with a bucket, net, bait and pole for $16.
Most people catch and release. If you would rather cook them, a riverside picnic site makes a natural basecamp for a crawdad boil — those are bookable from 11am to 4pm and sit right on the water.
Questions we get asked
Do you need a fishing license to catch crawdads?
For crawdad catching here in the canyon, no license is required — it is on private property. If you plan to fish elsewhere in Utah, check current state regulations.
What do you use for bait?
Bacon or a piece of hot dog tied to a string is the classic. Our Crawdad Catching Kit comes with bait included.
Can you eat the crawdads you catch?
Plenty of people do — a riverside picnic site makes a good spot for a boil. Most visitors catch and release.
Is it included with a day pass?
Yes. The $18 Canyon Access Pass covers crawdad catching along with swimming, climbing and the game courts.