Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is the highest drive in Utah and one of the shortest in season. From Kamas, a ranching town at the foot of the Uintas, UT-150 climbs east into one of the only major mountain ranges in North America that runs east to west, cresting at Bald Mountain Pass — 10,715 feet, the highest paved road in the state — before dropping to the alpine lake it is named for. The whole high stretch lies under snow more than half the year; count on roughly late June through early October.

The drive starts gently, following the Provo River out of the valley as it tumbles down from its headwaters. The Samak Smokehouse is the last real place to stock up — jerky and smoked trout a few miles up the road — before UT-150 leaves the ranches behind and climbs steadily into lodgepole forest, passing the stepped pools of the Provo River Falls as the trees begin to thin.

The top of the byway is a basin of glacial lakes strung along the road. Trial Lake sits in granite just off the pavement, an easy first stop, and the highway keeps climbing to Bald Mountain Pass, where the forest falls away into tundra and the High Uintas spread out in every direction. Just over the top lies Mirror Lake itself, a sheet of water that on a still morning hands the surrounding peaks back upside down, with Ruth Lake a short walk off the highway a little farther on.

A few things to know before you go. This is national forest land, and while the drive itself is free, stopping at the lakes and trailheads requires a Forest Service recreation pass, sold at self-serve tubes along the road. Bring a layer — it can be eighty degrees in Kamas and fifty at the lakes — and watch for cattle on the open range and afternoon thunderstorms up high. The road carries on over the pass and down to Evanston, Wyoming, but most people drive it the way it deserves: slowly, up to Mirror Lake and back, in the narrow window when the wildflowers or the aspens are out.

The Drive, Stop by Stop

6 stops along the route, in driving order from Kamas to Mirror Lake.

1. 1

   Kamas

   Kamas

   The gateway town and your last full services. Fuel up and grab supplies — there are no towns or gas stations once you start up UT-150.

   View details →
2. 2

   Samak Smokehouse

   Kamas

   A few miles east of Kamas, the classic stock-up stop for smoked trout and jerky before the real climb begins. Easy in-and-out by car.

   View details →
3. 3

   Trial Lake

   Kamas

   In the high-lakes basin near the top, a short turnoff reaches granite-rimmed Trial Lake — an easy first alpine stop for fishing or a picnic.

   View details →
4. 4

   Bald Mountain Pass

   Kamas

   The summit at 10,715 feet, Utah's highest paved road. Tundra and sweeping Uinta views; the Bald Mountain trailhead starts here. Expect cold wind even in July.

   View details →
5. 5

   Mirror Lake

   Kamas

   Just past the pass, the byway's namesake — best as a still-morning reflection. Campground, day-use area, and a lakeshore trail. Recreation pass required to stop.

   View details →
6. 6

   Ruth Lake

   Kamas

   A little farther on, a short, family-friendly trail through meadows reaches Ruth Lake — the easiest alpine-lake hike on the highway.

   View details →

That's the drive. Take your time, pull over often, and let Mirror Lake Scenic Byway do what it does best.