sailboat beach deer creek

Book Now for the 2024 Season

Utah’s Ultimate Lake Experience

On-the-water rentals at deer creek reservoir, experience heber’s stunning mountain lake without the hassle, our epic rental fleet is on the water and ready to go.

In the shadows of the majestic Mt. Timpanogos, we have all the summer water fun you’ll ever need, from motorized craft to paddle sports! And with all our equipment rentals conveniently located on-site and in the water the only thing you need is a swimming suit and some friends.

2 Convenient Rental Locations at Deer Creek

This beautiful lake has so much to offer and that’s why we have 2 separate rental hubs. Each location has the right gear for activities best suited for that part of the reservoir, whether your adventure is wake surfing, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, or anything else.

DC ISLAND RESORT

Boats, waverunners®, & paddle craft.

Located at Deer Creek State Park - Island Beach Day Use Area

See Island Resort Rentals

CALL US: (435) 654-2155

DC COVE MARINA

Temporarily closed for the 2024 season..

Located at Deer Creek State Park - Main Entrance

WaveRunners® & Paddle Craft Only

See Cove Marina Rentals

CALL US: (435) 654-8293

Important Note:

Rental equipment is specific to the location you rent from and CAN NOT be picked up from nor returned to the other location. Reserved parking with your rental is also location-specific.

Rent By Equipment Type

Paddle craft rentals.

SUPs, Canoes, & Kayaks!

Personal Watercraft Rentals

Only the Best WaveRunners®!

Boat Rentals

Wake, Sport, Fishing, & Pontoons!

Rental Experiences

For those seeking a luxurious, chartered day on the water, our VIP (or TCCX) rental option delivers a true white-glove experience. In partnership with The Charter Club, guests will enjoy unrivaled service and zero-hassle boating amid breathtaking views of Deer Creek Reservoir.

Excellent for both family and business use, fully-captained TCCX rentals are the perfect way to experience world-class hospitality and safety on the water.

Fully Captained Boating Sessions

Latest mastercraft models and equipment, valet parking for all party members, zero extra fuel costs, award-winning restaurant access & credit, boats fully stocked with drinks, snacks, & towels, the lakehouse at deer creek.

Enjoy a unique and delicious dining experience with breathtaking views and ambiance on the shores of Deer Creek Reservoir. The Lakehouse at Deer Creek is truly a restaurant unlike any other in Utah. Now open year-round for dinner and weekend brunch, and special events.

Praise from Our Renters

“We did the VIP rental which came with a Master Craft and a driver. It was a bit expensive but worth every penny. Chris had ALL of us ages 11-57 wake boarding and surfing within an hour. Whenever we needed a new water toy he’d call ahead and it was waiting for us on the dock. It would have taken us a week to do what he did in hours! Staff was very friendly and accommodating as well. You will have a great time for sure!”

- Tom F., Odessa, FL

Rent your boats here!!

“The boat and equipment was awesome. We wake boarded, surfed and tubed our butts off. The staff was amazing. They are extremely friendly, helpful and made the whole experience simple throughout. Really made for an epic lake day for the family and friends. Will be back very soon.”

- Greg B., Ogden, UT

“We had a great time on the lake!! We rented paddle boards and a jet ski! The staff was friendly and helpful. Views were amazing! We had a quick lunch at the restaurant. Food was fresh and delicious and the wait staff was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend!”

- Julie W., Tulsa, OK

Lakeside Boat Services & Storage

Owning and maintaining a boat or personal watercraft can be a tall order. Deer Creek Island Resort's friendly and knowledgeable staff provide many services to make your boating experience convenient and simple.

Available services include:

• Dry lakeside storage right on Deer Creek Reservoir
• Secure, gated area with on-site security
• Launch and recovery
• Cleaning and detailing
• On-site fueling
• Winterization/Summerization and shrink wrapping

Marina Store

At our basic marina store, you’ll find everything you need for your water adventures at Deer Creek Island Reservoir. From premium fuel and jumper packs to cold drinks and bait, we’ll help make your day on the lake perfect!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. We’ll get back to you as soon as the sun goes down on the lake!

[email protected]

Find us 5 miles southwest of Heber City on Highway 189 at the Deer Creek Reservoir, just 20 minutes from Park City and 30 minutes from Provo, UT.

Boats, WaveRunners®, & Paddle Craft

Address and directions.

5317 S. Hwy 189 Heber, UT 84032 Directions →

Call Island Resort

(435) 654-2155

Peterson Day Use Rd Wallsburg, UT 84082 Directions →

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• Parks & Outdoors

Deer Creek State Park & Reservoir

• Weather: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 79F

Just a short drive from Provo, Park City and Salt Lake City, Deer Creek State Park and Reservoir offers playful summer days filled with boating, fishing and watersports. Deer Creek became a state park in 1971, allowing for ample recreation on the reservoir and its 18 miles of shoreline.

More Utah State Parks

Deer Creek State Park Region

Things to do.

Deer Creek Reservoir is a popular boating spot for city slickers to hit up on the weekends. Choppy water in the afternoon appeases the wave-runner crews, yet calm and glassy water satisfies the waterskiers early in the day (or mid-week). Boaters can choose to start and end their day from one of two paved boat launch ramps and two marinas. And there’s a sandy beach on the northeast side for those looking to relax, sunbathe or picnic.

From April to November, you can catch rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass at Deer Creek Reservoir. Stream fishing happens both above and below the reservoir in the Provo river. Learn more about fishing rules, reports and regulations.

Island Aqua Park

This open floating water park includes obstacle courses, monkey bars and trampolines, along with a quarter pipe and an action tower. Designed for anyone above age six, the whole family can enjoy jumping around and playing in the water.

Kiteboarding

Try out a sport that utilizes both water and air. Uinta Kiting offers kiteboarding lessons at Deer Creek State Park. Learn to glide across the water safely with personalized lessons from the only certified kiteboarding school on Deer Creek Reservoir.

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Deer Creek State Park is a medium-sized reservoir that offers playful summer days filled with boating, fishing and watersports.

Photo: Adam Barker

Deer Creek became a state park in 1971, allowing for ample recreation on the reservoir and its 18 miles of shoreline.

Photo: Utah State Parks

Sun and Fun Below Mount Timpanogos: Explorations of Deer Creek State Park

Written By Kristen Pope

3 minute read

The sunlight sparkled and danced on the water as we drove beside the reservoir of Deer Creek State Park. The day was warm, the sun was out, and I was excited to get out on the water.

Watersports and Rafting

Park Information and Weather

Deer Creek State Park is open year-round, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the summer, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter. A day-use entry fee is required, purchase in-person or online . The Annual Utah State Park Pass is accepted for park entry.

At an elevation of 5,420 feet, Deer Creek State Park offers a reprieve from the valley’s high heats while still being warm enough to enjoy boating, swimming and watersports. 

Average Daily High and Low Temperatures 

March: 48/21 F (9/-6 C) April: 57/28 F (14/-2 C) May: 66/34 F (19/1 C) June: 77/41 F (25/5 C) July: 85/47 F (29/8 C) August: 83/46 F (28/7 C) September:  74/38 F (23/3 C) 

Utah Weather

Camping at Deer Creek State Park

Deer Creek State Park has two campgrounds open from May through mid-October, advance reservations are recommended. Amenities available at both campgrounds include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers, RV dump stations, boat ramps, fish cleaning stations and picnic areas.

Chokecherry Campground features 40 campsites, 30 with full hookups, and sits next to the reservoir in the southwest corner of Heber Valley. Campsites accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Each site has a table, fire ring and grate. A concessionaire offers a restaurant, boat rentals, gasoline and sundries.

Great Horned Owl Campground features 21 paved campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs up to 55-feet long. Every site comes with a table; most have a fire ring/grate or barbeque pedestal. 

Reserve a campsite

Responsible Travel Tips

• If you’re planning to fish, familiarize yourself with Utah wildlife and fishery regulations , limits and license requirements. 
• Keep cars, trash and other pollutants away from the reservoir to protect water quality and aquatic life. 
• Plan and prepare to pack out all of your garbage.
• For campfires, use the designated fire rings and extinguish fires completely. You should also familiarize yourself with fire safety practices.
• Whether driving a car or hiking, use designated routes and trails.
• Only use existing campsites; do not try to set up camp off-site.
• Respect local wildlife and plants at all times. Don’t pick flowers, collect rocks, make carvings in trees, etc.

Responsible Travel Resources

What's Nearby

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Heber Valley

Heber Valley, UT

Between the destination towns of Heber and Midway, Heber Valley astonishes with its alpine splendor and access to endless outdoor recreation.

Park City, UT

Park City is the perfect mountain town. The winter slopes were once featured in the Olympics, and in summer the mountains and nearby state parks and reservoirs transform into a hiking, mountain biking, fishing and camping mecca.

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Rustic, elegant and handmade are some of the words that capture the feeling of Sundance Mountain Resort. This log cabin-esque skiing resort that Robert Redford built is only an hour from Salt Lake International Airport.

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Year-round family adventure awaits. In the warmer months, hit the hiking or biking trails, or reserve a tee time at the golf courses. In the winter, ski or snowmobile through the alpine terrain.

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• Heber Valley, Utah
• Friday, July 19, 2024

Deer Creek State Park

Deer Creek State Park and Reservoir is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. Colorful sails dot the waters of Deer Creek every weekend. Wave runners enjoy the choppy waters in the afternoons, and water-skiers usually get lucky with glassy conditions in the early hours of the day.

For those that want to relax on the shore, a sandy beach on the reservoir's northeast side and numerous day-use areas provide the ideal setting. There are two paved boat launch ramps and one gravel for smaller vessels. Two marinas offer boat rentals and gasoline. One campground, accommodating tents and trailers, is available for those wanting to spend more than a day at Deer Creek.

Deer Creek Reservoir, located in the southwest corner of Heber Valley, offers some of Utah's finest fishing. This 2,965 surface-acre reservoir is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, perch, walleye, and smallmouth bass—numerous access points from US Hwy 189 offer prime shore fishing. Since Deer Creek is well known for its intense summer winds, fishing is most successful in the early morning or evening. Fish cleaning stations provide additional conveniences, and marinas offer boat rentals and some fishing gear. Remember to consult the current Utah fishing proclamation for limits and regulations on Deer Creek Reservoir.

For winter visitors, Deer Creek Reservoir offers some of the best ice fishing in the area. Anglers enjoy fishing for rainbow and brown trout, perch, walleye, and smallmouth bass. For more recreation, camping information , and current conditions, contact Deer Creek State Park.

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Deer Creek Intake Project

The importance of deer creek dam & reservoir.

The Deer Creek Dam & Reservoir is an essential infrastructural feature for Utahns living on the Wasatch Front for many reasons:

• Facilitates water supply to over 1.5 million people
• One of the most utilized recreational ecosystems in Utah
• Vital to Utah’s future growth and economic sustainability

For these reasons, it will be crucial to address the following problems facing the safety and health of the dam & reservoir going forward:

Water Supply Concerns for the Wasatch Front

Aging infrastructure.

Built over 80 years ago, the Deer Creek Dam guard gates have reached the end of their useful life. In fact, manufacturer parts are no longer available or need to be specialty fabricated. Currently, access is challenging to perform maintenance on this infrastructure without draining Deer Creek Reservoir. 

Invasive Species Threat

Deer Creek Reservoir and other storage reservoirs face an imminent threat from the aquatic invasive species, the Quagga mussel. As currently configured, Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir have no effective defense against this threat. This invasive species would cause the intake and guard gates to require extensive ongoing maintenance and could disrupt the downstream flows and the reservoir ecosystem.

Innovative Solution, Uninterrupted Water Supply

Provo River Water Users Association (the Association) proposes to safeguard against these concerns by utilizing an innovative design and construction method to refurbish the intake and guard gates WITHOUT draining the reservoir to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the Wasatch Front.  Planned modifications to the intake and refurbishment of the guard gates will provide the best state-of-the-art defense mechanisms against aquatic invasive species. Project design started in 2021, with construction starting Spring 2023.  The project is estimated to cost $100,000,000  and will take 3 years to complete .

The Association is partnering with Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) in funding $24 million dollars of the Intake Project and has received authorization from the Board of Water Resources for a $65 million dollar loan.  The Association is also continuing to pursue other loan and grant opportunities for the remaining balance.

Intake Project Summary Points

The Deer Creek Dam intake and guard gates infrastructure conveys a significant portion of the drinking water, secondary irrigation water, industrial and agricultural water for  1,500,000 people in Utah  (half of the state’s population). 

• The dam foundation and spillway gates were brought up to  seismic standards  in 2007 to improve Dam Safety, but the intake and guard gates were not. This project will mitigate this risk. 
• The original 1930 design of the dam infrastructure has served the citizens of Utah well for over 80 years. However, the original design failed to incorporate a bypass or the ability to access isolation gates for maintenance. This project will rectify this functional deficiency.
• The existing infrastructure is over 80 years old and is beyond its functional life. Critical components have deteriorated, and this project will retrofit and refurbish many components of the old facilities.
• Innovative construction methods will  allow critical water storage  to be maintained, rather than draining the reservoir for construction.

Sailboat Beach Closed for the Deer Creek Intake Project

The Sailboat Beach Day-Use Area at Deer Creek State Park will be closed to all public access beginning May 1, 2023, for construction as part of the Deer Creek Intake Project. The closure is expected to last until spring 2026.

During the construction process, members of the public will not be allowed to access the sailboat beach area.  This closure extends into the reservoir where boats and barges will be docked when not in use.

If you are recreating in the area, recognize that sailboat beach and the 1,500-foot buffer area at the dam are restricted areas (NO TRESPASING) and are sectioned-off by buoys.

Deer Creek Reservoir construction, beach closure to last until 2026

The sailing beach is closed at Deer Creek Reservoir while a construction project is underway on the dam.

Holding water for 1.5 million people on the Wasatch Front, the Deer Creek State Park lake is a construction site – at least, in its southern region. A floating excavator is one component already in use, and soon, passersby on U.S. Highway 189 will see more equipment.

It’s a renovation project on the dam’s drainage facilities. Restoring the 80-year-old dam has been in the works for years. Planners expect it to take about three years, and the equipment floating on the water will be involved for about half of it.

“There is nothing wrong with Deer Creek. It is absolutely as safe as it's ever been,” said Dave Faux, facilities and lands manager for Provo River Water Users Association. “It is operating perfectly right now, this whole project is just preventative measures to keep us going continually for another 80 years without any issues.”

He says water users won’t be affected during construction.

Since much of the work will be done underwater, the reservoir won’t need draining.

“It's a pretty cool project,” Faux said. “First time in Utah where anything like this has been done completely underwater. We'll have scuba divers underneath. They're putting all the pieces together on what's called the intake structure, where the water flows through to those guard gates.”

Sailboat Beach on the lake is closed. Faux says it’s the staging area for the equipment out on the water. The project team says it will remain closed through March 2026.

Deer Creek State Park, Utah - STANDARD-FULL HOOKUP

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Dive sites nearby.

Homestead Crater

The Homestead Crater formed when melting snow on the Wasatch Mountains seeped deep within the earth. Two miles below the surface, the earth’s interior heated the water. As it percolated upward, it picked up minerals, which were then deposited on the surface.

This is a nice area where there is a no wake zone. Visibility has been good at 10-20ft. There are some rocks and submerged trees. I have also found boat anchors and lots of lost gear.

Mountain Point Lake and Hot Springs

Utah’s newest fresh water lake and hot springs. Privately owned and operated, this location is a hidden gem and a fun spot to explore. The location can’t be beat with easy access on and off I-15 on the south end of salt lake valley.

Rockport is one of the few reservoirs that allow spearfishing. Visibility can be a factor, but it does open up now and then. More info will be added as our shop explores this water body more.

Strawberry Reservoir

You will want a wetsuit when diving Strawberry Reservoir as this water gets cold! There is typically good visibility and several good locations to dive. This is not a State Park, so make sure to pay your entrance fee.

Echo Reservoir

Echo Reservoir can have surprisingly good visibility. It can range from 2inches to 20ft of visibility. There are lots of rocks and fish to see and it is relatively easy to get to.

Bonneville Seabase

At Seabase, they have created separate places to dive, test your skills, train, and be in awe while diving with saltwater fish in the middle of the desert.

Starvation Reservoir

Starvation is one of the best places to spearfish in Northern Utah. Visibility is typically better than other close by lakes and there are rock formations to see.

Belmont Hot Springs

Natural hot spring north of Tremonton. There is a dock to dive in from as well as 2 platforms and a short obstacle course. There are rumors of improvements coming.

Bear Lake Cisco Beach

Bear lake is a unique dive spot in Utah because of its size and depth. The prime spot to dive is off the eastern shore called Cisco beach, this location has a quick to reach drop off that has large rock formations and a cliff like edge for exploring. Temp is cold year round and even in summer can be 60°F/15°C at surface.

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Nizhny Novgorod city, Russia

The capital city of Nizhegorodskaya oblast .

Nizhny Novgorod - Overview

Nizhny Novgorod (colloquially often just “Nizhny”; from 1932 to 1990 - Gorky) is a large city located in the center of European Russia, the administrative center of the Volga Federal District and Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.

It is an important economic, industrial, scientific, educational, and cultural center of Russia, the largest transport hub of the Volga Federal District. Nizhny Novgorod is one of the main centers of river tourism in Russia. The historic part of the city is rich in sights and is a popular tourist destination.

The population of Nizhny Novgorod is about 1,234,000 (2022), the area - 411 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 831, the postal codes - 603000-603257.

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Nizhny novgorod city latest news and posts from our blog:.

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2 June, 2017 / The Most Beautiful House in Nizhny Novgorod .

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History of Nizhny Novgorod

Foundation of nizhny novgorod.

During the military campaigns of the Russian princes against the Volga Bulgaria, the place where the Oka River flows into the Volga was used as a gathering point for the Murom and Suzdal troops. In 1220, Grand Duke Yuri Vsevolodovich (the grandson of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the founder of Moscow) conducted a successful campaign against the Bulgars. After it, he “decided to strengthen this important place for Rus” and founded a town at the mouth of the Oka.

It was named Novgorod, which literally means “new town”. Later, the adjective “nizhny” (“lower”) was added to the name of the town in the Russian annals. This was probably done in order to distinguish it from the town of Novgorod (present Veliky Novgorod) and other Novgorods that existed at that time.

The founding of Nizhny Novgorod was the beginning of an active expansion of Russian influence in the Mordovian lands. Two white-stone churches were built in the fortress, including the Cathedral of the Archangel (1227) - evidence of the special role that the town had in the system of lands of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus. However, the Mongol invasion stopped further development.

Information about Nizhny Novgorod of the 13th century is extremely scarce. But it is known that after the invasion it revived relatively quickly. Nizhny Novgorod is constantly mentioned in Russian chronicles as a major political and economic center of North-Eastern Rus and a spiritual center of Orthodoxy in the Volga region. The town was often the object of conflicts between Moscow and Tver.

In 1392, the Moscow prince Vasily I received a jarlig for the Nizhny Novgorod Principality and captured Nizhny Novgorod. The final annexation of Nizhny Novgorod to the possessions of Moscow took place in the late 1440s.

More Historical Facts…

Nizhny Novgorod in the 16th-18th centuries

Under Ivan III and Vasily III, the town played the role of a border post and was a gathering place for military campaigns against the Kazan Khanate. In 1508-1515, the stone kremlin was built. After the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible, the border role of Nizhny Novgorod became insignificant. At the same time, Nizhny Novgorod became the center of trade between Russia and the East and a large shipbuilding center.

In September 1611, during the Time of Troubles, the Second People’s Militia was organized in Nizhny Novgorod to fight the Poles who were able to establish control over Moscow. The militia consisted of detachments of townspeople, peasants of the central and northern regions of the Tsardom of Russia. The leaders were the Nizhny Novgorod merchant Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky (the monument to them is installed on Red Square in Moscow). In October 1612, the militia was able to completely liberate Moscow.

In the 17th century, a schism occurred in the Orthodox Church under Patriarch Nikon. It led to the formation of numerous settlements of Old Believers in the vicinity of Nizhny Novgorod. In 1695, during his Azov campaign, Peter I arrived in Nizhny Novgorod. In 1719, as a result of his administrative-territorial reforms, the town became the center of a separate Nizhny Novgorod Governorate. In 1722, setting off on the Persian campaign, Nizhny Novgorod was again visited by Peter I. Here he celebrated his 50th birthday.

In 1767, Nizhny Novgorod was visited by Empress Catherine II. During her stay in the town, she met the famous local mechanic and inventor Ivan Kulibin. After her visit, a new regular town plan was approved. The first town theater was built in 1798. Later, it became known as Nikolaevsky, in honor of Emperor Nicholas I.

Nizhny Novgorod in the 19th century

At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, Nizhny Novgorod became a major scientific and cultural center of the Russian Empire. In 1811, the population of Nizhny Novgorod was about 14,400 people. In 1817, the Makaryev Fair, the largest fair of the Russian Empire, was moved to the village of Kunavino (one of the districts of today’s Nizhny Novgorod). Before that, it was organized every year near the Makaryevsky Monastery, which burned down a year earlier. From that time on, it began to be called the Nizhny Novgorod Fair. Thanks to it, the rapid economic development of the town and adjacent villages began.

After Emperor Nicholas I visited the town in 1834, the large-scale reconstruction of Nizhny Novgorod began. In 1847, a water supply system appeared in the town and the first fountain was built. Private buildings in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin were demolished and new administrative buildings appeared in their place. A lot of new buildings, streets, boulevards, and gardens were built.

In 1849, a large industrial enterprise was founded in the village of Sormovo (another district of today’s Nizhny Novgorod). Later, it became known as the Sormovo plant. It was producing river steamers, various railway cars, steam locomotives, and trams. Thanks to the plant, Sormovo soon turned into a large village of workers. In 1862, the construction of the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod railway was completed. In 1863, the population of the city was 41,500 people.

In 1896, the city hosted the All-Russian Trade and Industrial Exhibition. The radio receiver of the engineer A.S. Popov, the hyperboloid tower of the engineer V.G. Shukhov were demonstrated at the exhibition, as well as the first Russian car of the Frese and Yakovlev factories.

Nizhny Novgorod in the first half of the 20th century

In 1914, about 111,000 people lived in Nizhny Novgorod. In 1917, during the First World War, the Warsaw Polytechnic Institute was evacuated to this city, on the basis of which the Nizhny Novgorod Polytechnic Institute was created.

On October 7, 1932, Nizhny Novgorod was renamed Gorky due to the 40th anniversary of the literary and social activities of the writer Maxim Gorky. In 1933, the first permanent bridge across the Oka River was built. The railway bridge across the Volga was constructed too. Thanks to this, it became possible to go by rail through Gorky to the Urals and Siberia.

The 1930s were a period of rapid industrialization. In 1932, the largest industrial enterprise in the city was opened - the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ), an important object of the Soviet defense industry. In the 1930s-1940s, the city was even referred to as “Russian Detroit”. By 1939, the population of Nizhny Novgorod increased to about 644,000 people.

Every fourth resident of the Gorky region (about 822 thousand people) fought on the fronts of the Second World War. Of these, more than 350 thousand people did not return from the battlefields - they were killed, went missing or died from wounds in hospitals.

In June 1943, three large raids of German bombers were carried out on Gorky. The main target of air strikes was the Gorky Automobile Plant, which as a result was almost completely destroyed. It was rebuilt only in the middle of 1944. Over 500,000 wounded were treated in dozens of hospitals during the war years.

The city was an important center for the production of weapons. During the Second World War, every second Soviet car, every third tank and every fourth artillery piece were produced at Gorky’s plants. In total, about 38 thousand tanks, self-propelled guns, armored vehicles, 43 thousand mortars, 16 thousand aircraft, 22 submarines, 109 thousand cars, more than 85 thousand radio stations, as well as 101 thousand artillery pieces and 1,165 Katyusha multiple rocket launchers were produced in Gorky.

Nizhny Novgorod after the Second World War

In 1946, the first GAZ-M-20 “Pobeda” passenger car and the GAZ-51 truck left the assembly line of the Gorky Automobile Plant. In 1949, the construction of the monumental Chkalov Stairs connecting the Upper Volga and Lower Volga embankments was completed in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod. On August 4, 1959, the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR “On the closure of the city of Gorky for visiting by foreigners” was issued. In 1962, the population of Gorky exceeded 1 million people.

On January 18, 1970, a radiation accident occurred at the Krasnoe Sormovo plant. During the construction of a nuclear submarine, an unauthorized launch of the reactor took place. After working at prohibitive power for about 10-15 seconds, it partially collapsed. Hundreds of workers were exposed to the radioactive release. In total, over one thousand people took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the accident and were exposed to radiation.

In 1985, a subway was opened in Gorky. In 1980-1986, Andrei Sakharov, a world famous nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate, and activist, was in exile in Gorky to prevent his contacts with foreigners. In the early 1990s, the “closed city” status was lifted and the city became accessible to foreigners. On October 22, 1990, Gorky was renamed back to Nizhny Novgorod. In 1991, the population of the city reached its maximum - 1,445,000 people.

At the end of the 20th century, the information technology sphere began to actively develop in the city. In the 2000s, a transport problem arose because of the insufficient carrying capacity of the Nizhny Novgorod bridges connecting the lower part of the city and the upper one.

In February 2012, the Nizhny Novgorod Volga Aerial Tramway was opened. This 3661-meter-long gondola lift cable car connected Nizhny Novgorod with the town of Bor. Its daily passenger traffic is about 5,000 people. In 2013, the city electric train was launched - an alternative to the subway line from Sormovo to Moskovsky railway station.

Nizhny Novgorod hosted 6 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2018 . A new stadium was built, the old river port was demolished, a new park and embankments were created. Large-scale restoration of old streets and buildings took place, new museums were opened, hotels were built, and parks were reconstructed.

Streets of Nizhny Novgorod

One sunny summer day in Nizhniy Novgorod

Author: Denis Plekhanov

Apartment buildings in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Eugene Ivanov

On the street in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Sergey S. Kazenyuk

Nizhny Novgorod - Features

Nizhny Novgorod is located about 425 km east of Moscow, at the confluence of the two largest waterways of the European part of Russia - the Volga and Oka rivers. The city is divided by the Oka into two parts. The length of Nizhny Novgorod along the Oka is 20 km, along the Volga - about 30 km.

The climate in Nizhny Novgorod is moderately continental, with cold, long winters and warm, relatively short summers. The average temperature in January is minus 8.9 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 19.4 degrees Celsius.

A red deer is depicted on the coat of arms and flag of Nizhny Novgorod, which is a symbol of nobility, purity, life, wisdom, and justice. The City Day is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday in August.

In January 2019, Nizhny Novgorod was recognized as the best city in Russia in terms of quality of life. It took first place among Russian cities and 109th in the world in terms of quality of life. The rating was compiled by the site numbeo.com, which specializes in statistics on the cost of living and consumer prices in different countries of the world.

When compiling the rating, the purchasing power of the population, safety, health care, the cost of living, the ratio of real estate prices to the population’s income, traffic congestion, the level of environmental pollution, and climate were taken into account.

The main branches of the local industry are the production of cars and weapons, shipbuilding. Nizhny Novgorod is also one of the IT centers of Russia.

Nizhny Novgorod is a major transport hub. The city has a railway station, a river station, a cargo port, several berths for transshipment of goods. Strigino International Airport named after V.P. Chkalov offers regular flights to such cities as Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Kaliningrad, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Samara, St. Petersburg, Sochi, and a number of others.

Public transport in Nizhny Novgorod plays a very important role in ensuring the life of the city. At the same time, its work is hampered by the distribution of its population on the city’s territory, large daily migrations, a very high concentration of passenger traffic on the bridges across the Oka River, and the lack of an all-encompassing system of high-speed transport. There are municipal buses, fixed-route minibuses, trams, trolleybuses, the city train, and subway.

The tourist potential of Nizhny Novgorod is quite high. According to UNESCO, it is one of the most valuable historical cities in the world. In total, there are more than 600 unique historical, architectural and cultural monuments in Nizhny Novgorod, a variety of museums. The best time to visit Nizhny Novgorod is summer.

One of the alternative ways to visit Nizhny Novgorod is to take a river cruise along the Volga River. Travelers will find exciting excursions and meals in traditional Russian taverns. It will also be interesting to come during one of the many fairs or ethnographic festivals that are held in the city.

Main Attractions of Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin (1508-1515) - a fortress in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod and its oldest part, the main architectural complex of the city located on the right high bank, at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers. To date, all 13 towers of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin have been preserved or have been restored. The thickness of the wall at the base reaches 5 meters. There are exhibitions in the towers of the fortress; a section of the wall is open for tourists to visit.

In the past, there were several churches on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Today, only the Archangel Michael Cathedral has survived, built no later than the middle of the 16th century and rebuilt in 1628-1631 - the oldest surviving building in the kremlin. There is the grave of Kuzma Minin inside it.

An excellent view of the Volga River and Strelka (the confluence of the Oka and Volga) opens from the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Here you can also see a collection of military equipment from the Second World War.

Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum - one of the oldest museums in Russia, the largest museum of fine arts in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The Governor’s Palace on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin houses a permanent exhibition of Russian art and a collection of artistic silver.

In the House of the Merchant and Benefactor D.V. Sirotkin (Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment, 3), an exposition of Western European art is presented and, separately, the painting by K.E. Makovsky “The appeal of Kuzma Minin to the citizens of Nizhny Novgorod” - one of the largest paintings on a historical theme in Russia (698x594 cm).

Chkalov Stairs (1943-1949) - a monumental staircase in the form of a figure eight in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod. Connecting the Upper Volga (Verkhnevolzhskaya) and Lower Volga (Nizhnevolzhskaya) embankments, it is one of the longest stairs in Russia. It starts from the observation deck at the monument to Valery Chkalov (the famous Soviet pilot who made the first non-stop flight from the USSR to the USA via the North Pole), next to the St. George Tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street - the main street of Nizhny Novgorod built up with noble mansions of the past centuries. A large part of Bolshaya Pokrovskaya is reserved for the pedestrian zone and is analogous to the pedestrian Arbat Street in Moscow. There are a lot of historic houses, cafes, souvenir shops, boutiques, monuments, and sculptures here. The length of the street is over 2 km.

The building of the State Bank (Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, 26), resembling a medieval palace, is an outstanding architectural monument built in the Russian Revival style in 1911-1913. In the Museum of Old Equipment and Tools (Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, 43), you can see unique exhibits, hear their history, and even touch them.

Fedorovsky Embankment - one of the most beautiful embankments in Nizhny Novgorod and the best observation deck in the city. Everything is perfectly visible from this embankment: the old part of the city, the river station with a park, the Kanavinsky bridge - one of the oldest in the city, and, of course, the opposite bank of the Oka River with the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the confluence of the Oka and Volga. People also come here to watch the sunset.

Nizhny Novgorod Volga Aerial Tramway . This cable car, 3661 meters long, connects the high right bank of the Volga River, where the historic part of Nizhny Novgorod is located, with the town of Bor. It has the largest unsupported span over the water surface in Europe - 861 meters.

A one way trip during which you can admire the picturesque views of Nizhny Novgorod and the Volga River takes 15 minutes. It is better to use it in good sunny weather, because in windy weather, the movement of the cabins can be stopped. Sennaya Square on Kazanskaya Embankment.

Nizhny Novgorod State Museum of History and Architecture (1875-1877). Also known as the Mansion of S.M. Rukavishnikov, it is an architectural ensemble built in the eclectic style in the historic center of Nizhny Novgorod, one of the most important and famous architectural monuments of this city. Guided tours are held in the premises, allowing you to learn about the life of the former owners of the mansion, as well as look at the historical expositions of different years. Verkhnevolzhskaya Embankment, 7.

Main Palace of Nizhny Novgorod Fair - a luxurious building constructed in the forms of Old Russian architecture of the 17th century. Today, exhibitions of various formats are held here, as well as the multimedia exposition “Russia - my history” dedicated mainly to the history of Nizhny Novgorod starting from the Finno-Ugric peoples. Sovnarkomovskaya Street, 13.

Museum of the History of the Gorky Automobile Plant . The museum houses expositions telling about the history and development of the Gorky Automobile Plant. In total, there are over 40,000 exhibits. Here you can see a collection of Soviet vintage cars, which includes “Chaika”, “Volga”, the truck “GAZ-51”, and a lot of others. Lenina Avenue, 95.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1868-1881) - the most noticeable sight of the lower part of Nizhny Novgorod, which can be seen from all observation decks of the upper city. The church, 87 meters high, was built on the site of the Nizhny Novgorod Fair at the expense of merchants, who wanted to perpetuate the visit of Emperor Alexander II. Strelka Street, 3a.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1696-1719) - one of the best examples of the Stroganov Baroque, an architectural monument of federal significance. From a distance, this colorful building looks like a sugar gingerbread with “candy” domes and decorated with stone flowers, pears and apples. Rozhdestvenskaya Street, 34.

Pechersky Ascension Monastery - one of the most interesting places in Nizhny Novgorod, where you can feel the spirit of the city. Most of the monastery buildings date back to the first half of the 17th century. A lot of beautiful photographs can be taken here. Privolzhskaya Sloboda Street, 108.

Limpopo Zoo - the first private zoo in Russia. More than 270 species of animals live here, 25 of which are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. It is located on the territory of the Sormovsky Park on an area of 7.1 hectares. Yaroshenko Street, 7b.

Architectural and Ethnographic Museum-Reserve “Shcholokovskiy Khutor” . The exposition of this museum is represented by 16 objects of rural architecture: residential houses, barns, mills and churches of the 17th-19th centuries brought from the northern districts of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The facades of the houses are decorated with traditional relief carvings. In the premises of the houses, interiors with authentic items of peasant life have been restored. Gorbatovskaya Street, 41.

Nizhny Novgorod city of Russia photos

Pictures of nizhny novgorod.

Chkalov Stairs and the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

Author: Sergey Bulanov

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Evgeniy Balashov

Shopping and office center Smart in Nizhny Novgorod

Author: Diman Lazarev

Sights of Nizhny Novgorod

Annunciation Monastery - the oldest monastery in Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque

Church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow in Nizhny Novgorod

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Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

You are here, about nizhny novgorod.

If you are still wondering, whether Nizhny Novgorod travel would be something you'd like to experience, let us help you - it would. This colorful Russian city full of cultural heritage might exceed your expectations since it has something to offer for everyone.

Reasons to Travel to Nizhny Novgorod

Art enthusiasts will surely enjoy the State Gorky Literature Museum which was named after the great Russian author Maxim Gorky. Bet you didn't know that Nizhny Novgorod was his birthplace? Do not worry, now you do.

There are also multiple art galleries and installations such as The Blogger's Bench which provides free Wi-Fi access if you are in the mood of blogging about your experience.

The musician community will not be disappointed as well, as the city has multiple live music bars and cafes open for the public and is often the place where great concerts are staged. If you are not that into art, there are plenty of other places worth putting on your Nizhny Novgorod itinerary, f.e., the grand red-brick Kremlin.

The Cathedral of Archangel Michael, which is actually the only church that has stood the test of time in Kremlin, along with multiple ancient towers is what makes this site a must-see. By the way, the magnificent church of St. Elijah is right around the corner, so make sure to make a little detour during your Nizhny Novgorod tour after seeing the Kremlin.

Another thing you should not miss during your Nizhny Novgorod sightseeing is the panorama of Strelka, overlooking the amazing view of the confluence of the rivers Oka and Volga and also the Fedorovsky Embankment, a perfect place for a stroll in the evening.

If you want to take a look at the scene from a different angle, hop on a boat trip along the two rivers! Nowadays Nizhny Novgorod is the fifth-largest city in the Russian Federation, somehow managing to maintain the unique heritage alongside its cultural versatility, thus looking at pictures is not enough, feel like exploring it yourself?

Best Things to Do in Nizhny Novgorod

• Witness the ancient Novgorod Kremlin
• Get inspired by the scenic panoramas of the Volga River
• Explore diverse museums of Nizhny Novgorod

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