Two desert reservoirs on the lower Sevier River make Delta, Utah a sleeper boating town. Gunnison Bend Reservoir, just west of town, fills a sheltered horseshoe bend in the river and has a free county park with a sandy beach and boat ramp — a local favorite for waterskiing and jet skis. DMAD Reservoir, upstream northeast of town, is bigger and quieter, with primitive ramps and open desert all around.
Lake Boat Rental gets you on the water in Delta with MasterCraft wakesurf boat rentals, Sea-Doo jet ski rentals, private boat tours and lessons, water toys and ATV and side-by-side rentals for the sand dunes and West Desert.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Gunnison Bend & DMAD
Everything you rent is ready for you at Gunnison Bend & DMAD — no truck, no trailer and no towing required. If you'd rather tow it yourself, pickup is also available at our Utah locations.
- MasterCraft surf boat rentals – big, clean wakes for surfing and wakeboarding at Gunnison Bend & DMAD, with boards, skis and tubes on board.
- Sea-Doo jet ski rentals – quick, easy-to-ride watercraft for exploring every cove of Gunnison Bend & DMAD.
- Captained charters – sit back and enjoy Gunnison Bend & DMAD while our captain drives, or learn to wakesurf with one-on-one coaching.
- Water toy rentals – add tubes, floating lily pads, paddle boards or a water trampoline to your day.
- Side-by-side and ATV rentals – Can-Am UTVs for the trails and backroads near Gunnison Bend & DMAD.
Book Now or call or text 1-888-594-6610 – we answer 7 a.m.–10 p.m. every day.
Gunnison Bend & DMAD at a glance
| Location | Delta, Millard County — Gunnison Bend is just west of town off US-6/50; DMAD is upstream on the Sevier River northeast of town |
|---|---|
| Drive time | About 2 hours from Salt Lake City and under 2 hours from Provo and Orem |
| Gunnison Bend | Roughly 600–700 acres, shallow and warm, with a free county park, beach, dock, pavilion and restrooms |
| DMAD Reservoir | Over 1,000 acres when full, with primitive camping and boat ramps |
| The name | DMAD stands for the Delta, Melville, Abraham and Deseret irrigation companies, which built the dam |
| Park hours | Gunnison Bend park is open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and entry is free |
| Snow geese | Huge flocks stop at Gunnison Bend each late February and early March during the Snow Goose Festival |
| Best months | May through September; the desert water warms up early |
Best things to do on Gunnison Bend & DMAD
- Waterskiing Gunnison Bend – the bend’s shape keeps big waves from building, making it one of central Utah’s best ski and wakeboard spots for a MasterCraft.
- Jet ski laps – warm water and a free beach park make Gunnison Bend perfect for a day on Sea-Doo jet skis.
- Quiet days on DMAD – head upriver to DMAD for more room and fewer boats.
- Beach and picnic days – the county park has a sandy beach, shady picnic tables and a covered pavilion.
- Fishing – catfish, walleye, bass, crappie and wipers draw anglers to both reservoirs and the river.
- Snow Goose Festival – late winter brings huge flocks of migrating snow geese to Gunnison Bend.
- Rockhounding – the Delta area is famous for geodes, trilobites and topaz; see local finds at the Great Basin Museum in town.
- Great Basin National Park – under 2 hours west on US-6/50, just across the Nevada line.
- Little Sahara dunes – the sand dunes north of Delta are a classic ride on ATV and side-by-side rentals.
Where to launch at Gunnison Bend & DMAD
- Gunnison Bend Park – Millard County’s free park on the west side of the reservoir, with a boat ramp, dock, sandy beach, pavilion and restrooms.
- Gunnison Bend south access – a road off US-6 just west of the Sevier River bridge leads to the peninsula and the west shore.
- DMAD ramps – primitive boat ramps and dispersed camping along the reservoir northeast of town.
Both reservoirs supply irrigation water, so levels drop through late summer. With Lake Boat Rental, your boat or jet ski is ready at the lake — no towing required.
Tips for a great day on Gunnison Bend & DMAD
- Watch the depth. Gunnison Bend averages under 10 feet deep; stay in open water and watch for shallows late in the summer.
- Ride the morning calm. Afternoon wind across the Sevier Desert can chop up DMAD’s open water.
- Check for algae advisories. Warm, nutrient-rich water can bring summer algal blooms; read posted advisories before swimming.
- Bring shade and water. Summer days in Delta are hot and sunny.
- Know the park hours. Gunnison Bend park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m.
- Stock up in Delta. Town is minutes away for fuel, food and ice.
Utah boating rules to know
- Everyone who boats in Utah — residents, visitors and renters, even paddleboarders — must complete the free annual Mussel-Aware Boater course and keep proof with them.
- Wear a life jacket on jet skis and whenever you're being towed — tubing, skiing or wakeboarding.
- Our rental operators must be 18+ with a valid driver's license. Passengers of any age can ride along with a parent or guardian's approval; Utah requires a youth certificate for jet ski drivers under 18.
- Towing your own boat in? Pull the drain plugs when you leave and stop at every open inspection station.
- Towing a skier, tuber or surfer isn’t allowed inside the wakeless area around a launch ramp or dock.
- Gunnison Bend park is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; follow posted Millard County park rules.
Map of Gunnison Bend & DMAD Reservoirs
Gunnison Bend & DMAD rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Gunnison Bend & DMAD?
Wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis, water toys, private charters with a driver-instructor, and ATV and UTV rentals — everything for a full day on and off the water.
Do I need a truck to tow the boat?
No. Your boat or jet skis are ready for you at Gunnison Bend & DMAD, so there's no towing. Pickup from our Utah locations is also available.
Do I need a boating license to rent at Gunnison Bend & DMAD?
Adults don't need a boating license in Utah. To rent from us, the operator must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license. Everyone on the water must complete Utah's free annual Mussel-Aware Boater course.
Is there a fee at Gunnison Bend Reservoir?
No. Entry to Millard County’s Gunnison Bend park is free, and it has a boat ramp, dock, beach, pavilion and restrooms.
What does DMAD stand for?
DMAD stands for the Delta, Melville, Abraham and Deseret irrigation companies, which built the dam on the Sevier River.
Gunnison Bend or DMAD: which is better for boating?
Gunnison Bend is the go-to for skiing, jet skis and beach days, with a free park right by town. DMAD is bigger and more primitive, with fewer boats if you want space.
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