Sterling » Most reservoir-oriented Utah state parks feature expansive bodies of water open to motor boats, personal watercraft, fishing boats and sailing craft.

Palisade State Park, about 135 miles from Salt Lake City just east of the tiny Sanpete County of Sterling, is different for a lot of reasons.

First, no motorized boats except for fishing craft with mostly silent electric motors are allowed on the 70-acre lake where rented paddleboats and canoes share the water with a few kayaks, a fishing boat or two and dozens of swimmers who enjoy beaches and diving platforms.

Second, this is Utah's only state park that owns and operates its own cabins. Three of these log buildings, complete with handicap accessible bathrooms, sleeping facilities for up to eight people, electricity, picnic tables, covered porches, refrigerators, microwaves and culinary water, opened in July and are proving popular.

Finally, unlike most Utah reservoirs that were built and are still used to provide culinary and irrigation water and thus are drawn down late in the summer, Palisade was designed for recreation.

The reservoir's history dates back to 1873 when a Sanpete County pioneer named Daniel B. Funk decided area settlers needed a place to relax and recreate. He negotiated a deal with the Sanpitch Indian tribe and received a land patent from the government to build an earthen dam. He diverted part of Six-Mile Creek to fill the lake.

At one time, the area featured a dance hall which drew big bands from throughout the west before it burned down. A steamboat also gave tours of the reservoir until it capsized, killing 11 people, a few years after the reservoir was built.

The flavor of the park changed again in 1971 when Sanpete County opened a nearby golf course, which was turned over to the state to run in the 1980s. The 18-hole course is within walking distance of the campground and reservoir and ranks among Utah's most scenic. The par 3 fourth hole is particularly scenic, offering views of the Sanpete Valley below. Large pine trees separate many of the holes on the course, which occupies a small canyon.

The combination of swimming, fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and tiger trout, ATV trails on nearby U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land, boating, camping, and golf has proved so popular that ranger Brad Bird recommends making camping reservations and tee times as far in advance as possible during the busy summer months. Sites can be reserved up to three months in advance.

Todd Nielsen of West Jordan organized a neighborhood party on one large camping site recently.

"The place is a lot of fun," he said. "I love the golf, weather and water."

Indeed, with an elevation of 5,868 feet, the park is a cool respite from hot summers in the valley, though that makes the water temperature in the reservoir a bit cool for swimmers.

Volunteer workers Brian and Pat Ablett of North Hampton, England, discovered the park about 12 years ago when they were touring the U.S. and Canada in their recreation vehicle, seeking good paces to play golf. This is their fourth year as volunteers.

"This is such a popular park because there is so much to do," said Pat.

Mel Olsen of Orem had not been to the park for about 35 years and hauled his ATVs with him to the campground on a recent visit.

"The riding is good," he said. "Trails are intermediate. They are not real easy, but not the toughest either."

Bird said such forest ATV trails as Six-Mile Canyon, the Sheep trail near Manti, and 12-Mile Canyon provide good riding on the Manti-La Sal National Forest, while those looking for a valley experience can enjoy trails on BLM land near Gunnison Reservoir.

Campgrounds, restrooms and picnic areas surround the little lake in a half-moon shape, with ancient cottonwood trees providing shade for numerous grassy areas. Kids love to chase garter snakes and frogs that live along the shoreline while, in the early morning hours, great blue herons, pelicans, kingfishers and other waterfowl can be seen on or near the quiet, turquoise blue water.

Recent additions include the more modern Wakara campground with the cabins, a large lighted group pavilion and sites with hookups, as well as a kids playground and grassy, new day-use picnic area with a covered table.

Visitors can also take scenic tours of Skyline Drive, which spans the top of the Wasatch Plateau (see accompanying story), tour the grounds of the nearby Manti Mormon Temple (among the oldest and most scenic), or shop garage sales and small boutiques in nearby Sanpete County towns.

In fact, the whole experience seems a throwback to simpler times, a fact that makes Palisade one of the state park system's best family destinations.

wharton@sltrib.com