Mirror Lake Scenic Byway - Visit Utah

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Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

Less than two hours from the Salt Lake City metro area, Mirror Lake Highway stretches 42 miles along state Route 150 and is one of the most popular mountain driving routes in the state. It begins in Kamas, Utah and ascends high into the Uinta Mountains cresting at 10,715 feet at Bald Mountain Pass, and then descends past Hayden Peak, Kletting Peak and Holiday Park Peak before meeting with the Wyoming border. This scenic byway has many overlooks, picnic areas, waterfalls, lakes, trails and campgrounds. This mountain range is one of the few in North America that runs east to west rather than north to south.

Highlights Along This Scenic Drive

Mirror Lake

The route's namesake is known for its near-perfection reflection.

Bald Mountain Pass

At an elevation of 10,715 feet (3,266 meters), it is Utah's highest paved road and is a great overlook of the High Uintas.

Provo River Falls

A popular stop along the scenic byway with an overlook, some facilities, and a chance to swim and wade in the lower pools of the falls.

Bear River Ranger Station

A histroic tie hack cabin that has been restored.

Fall Foliage

One of the best drives in the state for leaf-peeping.

Things To Do

Whether you're interested in a beautiful drive or taking advantage of the recreational opportunities that abound along the Mirror Lake Highway, you'll find it's worth the excursion. This is one of Utah's most dazzling roads with unreal scenery and plenty of options for bite-sized and big adventures alike. There are numerous viewpoints, picnic areas, lakes and campgrounds so you'll have your choice of exploration options. The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is perfect for anyone looking to get away from the city and dive deep into nature. Thick forests, glacially carved valleys, mountain lakes, and towering alpine summits are all part of the journey.

• Swimming
• Fishing
• Mountain Biking
• Backpacking
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Paddleboarding
• Camping
• Birding and Wildlife Viewing
• Cross-Country Skiing
• ATVing
• Snowmobiling
• Visiting historic sites

Fresh Tracks in Kamas – Utah's Snowcountry

Written By Melissa Fields

7 minute read

Not far from the hustle and bustle of Utah’s renowned Park City-area ski slopes is an untamed, snow-filled wonderland waiting to be explored. Here in the Wasatch Back, snowshoeing, ice fishing and snowcat skiing set the stage for an outdoors-facing winter getaway imbued with authenticity and solitude.

Read more

Things To Know

• It's free to drive the byway, but if you stop to use any of the recreation areas you are required to pay the park fee.
• Mirror Lake Highway is a seasonal road and is closed to automobiles during the winter due to heavy snow accumulation. Typically, the road is open to regular traffic mid-May to mid-fall. Check UDOT for the latest information on seasonal road closures.
• There are several vault toilet facilities available for public use at the campgrounds along the highway.
• Cell phone signals are spotty or non-existent in the Uinta mountains so don't plan to be able to use your mobile phone for communications or internet access.
• Mirror Lake Highway is part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and is managed by the United States Forest Service. For questions regarding this scenic byway, please call the Kamas Ranger Station Office: 435-783-4338.

Fees

The Mirror Lake Highway falls within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Fee Area. It's free to drive the byway, but if you stop to use any of the recreation areas you are required to pay the park fee. Three-day, seven-day and annual passes are available.

How to pay the Mirror Lake Highway use fee:

• Pay in-person on-site at the Bear River Ranger Station (open seasonally), Evanston office, or Kamas office.
• Pay in-person on-site at one of the self-service fee tubes located in various areas along the highway (cash and checks accepted). Annual passes are not available at self-service fee tubes.
• Pre-purchase a pass in person at these locations in Kamas:
  • Samak Smokehouse – 1937 UT-150, Kamas,UT
  • Mirror Lake Service Chevron Gas Station – 2 N Main St, Kamas, UT
  • High Mountain Restaurant – 40 N Main St, Kamas, UT
  • Kamas Food Town – 145 W 200 S, Kamas, UT
• Purchase a pass online by visiting yourpassnow.com
  • Once you have paid your fee, be sure to display your pass on the dashboard of your vehicle.
  • Fees collected are used to enhance recreation opportunities and visitor services in the Mirror Lake Highway Recreation Corridor.
  • America the Beautiful Interagency Recreation Passes are honored. Campground fees are separate.

Top Mirror Lake Scenic Byway Hikes

• Mirror Lake LoopEasy (1.5 miles/2.4 kilometers)Loop trail with an elevation gain of just 39 feet (11.9 meters) that features Mirror Lake.
• Mirror Lake TrailEasy (4.0 miles/6.4 kilometers)Out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 383 feet (116.7 meters) that features Mirror Lake.
• Crystal and Watson Lake TrailModerate (3.2 miles/5.15 kilometers)Out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 419 feet (127.7 meters) that features lake views.
• Duck Lake TrailModerate (7.7 miles/12.4 kilometers)Out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 902 feet (275 meters) with lake views.
• Bald Mountain TrailModerate (2.7 miles/4.35 kilometers)Out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 1,174 feet (357.8 meters) leading to a peak at 11,943 (3,640.2 meters) with spectacular views of Mirror Lake.

Lodging

There’s so much to see and do in the region that many visitors opt to stay a night or two at one of the many campgrounds along the way. Though many travelers drive the length of the Mirror Lake Highway on a day-trip, it’s much more enjoyable to take your time and enjoy the splendor of the area by staying a night or two at one of the many campgrounds along the way.

Individual and group sites are released on a 6-month rolling basis and are available through the end of September.

Camping

There are more than a dozen campgrounds in the area. Single sites have a maximum occupancy of eight people and one vehicle. Double sites have a maximum occupancy of 16 people and two vehicles. Unless otherwise noted, campsites are standard non-electric and there are no electrical, water or sewer hockups. Drinking water is provided at some sites, but the US Forest Service recommends bringing your own. Trash collection is provided and firewood is available for purchase from the camp host. Pets are allowed at campgrounds. Sites are $25 - $46 per night. There are bears in the Uinta Mountains so campers must be bear aware by properly storing food, garbage and other attractants. Learn more about bear awareness here.

Reservation can be made online at recreation.gov.

Top Campground Sites

• Butterfly Campground

  Butterfly Campground is located on the shores of Butterfly Lake near the Highline Trailhead and sits at an elevation of 10,300 feet (3,139 meters). There are 20 single campsites and vault restroom facilities are available.

• Lilly Lake Campground

  Located on the shores of Lost Lake at an elevation of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), Lilly Lake campground is paved and has 14 single campsites. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets are available at this campground. Firepits and picnic tables are available at all of the sites.

• Mirror Lake Campground

  Located just off the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway on the shores of its beautiful namesake lake at an elevation of 10,400 feet. The campground has 64 single and double campsites with picnic tables, tent pads, and campfire rings with grills. 14 equestrian sites are available on a separate loop. There are five vault toilet sites at the Mirror Lake Campground. Roads and parking spurs are dirt. A day-use picnic area and small boat ramp are located on the lake shore.

• Sulphur Campground

  Located at the confluence of Stillwater Fork and Hayden River, Sulphur Campground is at an elevation of 9,100 feet (2,773 meters). There are 15 single campsites and five double sites, each with picnic tables and fire rings with grills. There’s also one group site that accommodates up to 25 people and has three large picnic tables, a large fire ring with benches, and parking areas. Roads and parking spurs are dirt. There are three vault toilets at the campground.

• Trial Lake Campground

  Trial Lake Campground is located on the shores of Trial Lake at an elevation of 9,500 feet (2,895 meters). The campground has 60 standard non-electric RV and/or tent campsites. There is only one double-site at this campground. There are five vault restrooms and roads and parking spurs are paved.

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Hotels and Nearby Basecamps

Kamas is the nearest town to the sourthern end of Mirror Lake Highway while Evanston, Wyoming is the closest town on the northern end. Kamas is a 20-minute drive from Park City and Heber City.

Located 18 miles east of Park City, the small town of Kamas is considered the gateway to the Uintas. Those heading into the remote wilderness of the Uinta Mountains often stop in Kamas first for supplies and such. There are no hotels or other vacation lodging available in Kamas.

Oakley is 16 miles east of Park City, and is popular amoung outdoor enthusiasts who are in the area to go snowmobiling, dog sledding, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and horseback riding. There is limited lodging available in Oakley.

For travelers in search of vacation lodging, both Heber City and Park City are less than 17 miles from the entrance to Mirror Lake Highway and make great basecamp options. There are numerous hotels, shops and other attractions in these areas. Stay at the St. Regis Deer Valley for a luxury retreat or stay at the Homestead Resort in Midway for more of a ranch experience.

WHATS NEARBY

• 

  Heber Valley

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

• 

  Kamas

  Kamas, UT

  Kamas is a quiet high country town with a population of around 2,000 people and a ranch mentality from the earlier settlements. Today, it's defined by vast tracts of open space, access to recreation and family friendliness.

• 

  Park City

  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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Weather

Summer temperatures range from 65-75 degrees F during the day to 40-50 degrees F at night. Winter temperatures range from well below freezing to as high as 42 degrees F during the day. Extreme winter weather hazards includin travel prohibitive snowfall and minute-to-minute changes are probable from November through February, which is why the Mirror Lake Highway is closed to automobile traffic during the winter months.

Discover Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

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