Starvation State Park

Starvation State Park and Reservoir is a state park in northeastern Utah, USA, featuring a 3,495-acre (1,414 ha) reservoir. The park is 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of the town of Duchesne, Utah. The 3,500-acre (14 km2) Starvation State Park and Reservoir is open year-round, and is popular for fishing and boating. It lies at an elevation of 5,712 feet (1,741 m). Established in 1972, the marina features a 54 unit RV campground along with primitive camping, boat ramp and dock, a sand beach, restrooms,showers, a group-use pavilion, sewage disposal, and fish cleaning stations. Primitive camping is allowed in designated areas around the perimeter of the reservoir for a fee. There are various narratives explaining the name Starvation. One account describes a group of fur trappers stranded in harsh winter conditions who survived by stealing a local Native American cache of food, which resulted in their starvation. Another account tells the opposite story, with the Indians doing the stealing and the trappers starving. A third story involves a local rancher who attempted to graze livestock in the area, and they all starved. The most probable explanation for the name involves settlers in the early 1900s trying to survive along the banks of the Strawberry River, in the area now occupied by the reservoir. These settlers dealt with near-starvation in a hostile environment. Winters in the area are long and cold, and their livestock often died. The area's short growing season was hindered by floods, hail, early frost and other problems. These settlers nicknamed the area Starvation. The sprawling waters of Starvation Reservoir offer great fishing and boating.  Find a secluded campsite at one of four primitive and one developed campground. Bring your off-highway vehicle and ride on nearby trails.