Fishlake Scenic Byway by motorcycle
A cool mountain loop between Capitol Reef and I-70. The byway climbs off Highway 24 near Loa to Fish Lake, Utah's largest natural mountain lake, at 8,843 feet (Visit Utah). On the way you pass Pando, the aspen grove the Forest Service calls the largest organism ever found (USDA Forest Service).
The route at a glance
- Start: the Highway 25 turn off Highway 24, just north of Loa (Visit Utah).
- Highway 25: about 10 miles from Highway 24 to the west shore of Fish Lake (Wikipedia, SR-25).
- Whole byway: 29.6 miles, from Highway 24 past Johnson Valley Reservoir to Highway 72 (Wikipedia, SR-25).
- Road: paved and well kept, but somewhat narrow (Visit Utah).
- Fee: none listed for the road or Pando (check on site).
Highway 24 to Fish Lake
Into the forest. Highway 25 enters Fishlake National Forest about 4 miles from the turn (Visit Utah).
Pando. About 1 mile southwest of Fish Lake, on Highway 25. A Pando boundary sign stands by the road, and there is parking with a restroom and an information sign near Doctor Creek Campground (USDA Forest Service). One clone of aspen, over 106 acres and over 40,000 trees (USDA Forest Service).
Fish Lake. About 5.5 miles long, with Mounts Marvine and Hilgard, both over 11,000 feet, behind it (Visit Utah). Fish Lake Lodge, built 1928 to 1932, has a dining room open to the public (Visit Utah).
Fish Lake to I-70
Past the lake the byway runs by Johnson Valley Reservoir to Highway 72 (Wikipedia, SR-25). From there Highway 72 runs north 27 miles to I-70 at Fremont Junction (Visit Utah), where you can pick up the San Rafael Swell east to Green River. Or ride back to Highway 24 and on to Capitol Reef.
Skip the unpaved backways off the byway (Gooseberry-Fremont, Thousand Lake Mountain, Cove Mountain) on a road bike; Thousand Lake Mountain Road needs high clearance and is impassable when wet (Visit Utah).
Before you ride
- Fuel: Richfield and Loa have all services and Fish Lake has basic ones, including a gas station at Bowery Haven. Fremont has none (Visit Utah).
- Season: the route is open all year, but heavy snow and ice are a problem between Fish Lake and Highway 72 (Visit Utah). It is cold up here even in summer: pack a warm layer.
- Busy weekends: up to 7,000 people visit on summer weekends (Visit Utah).
- From Richfield: Highway 119 east about 9 miles to Highway 24, then right toward Loa; the Highway 25 turn is on the left just under mile 23 (Visit Utah).
- Time: Highway 24 to Fish Lake and back, about 1 to 2 hours with stops (estimate). The full byway to I-70, about half a day (estimate).
- Rules for visiting riders: Riding in Utah.
Keep going
- South on Highway 24: Capitol Reef, then Scenic Byway 12 and the Burr Trail.
- South on US-89 from Salina: Marysvale, Circleville and Panguitch to Bryce. US-89 Sevier Valley.
- North on US-89 from Salina: the Sanpete Valley towns. Utah's Heritage Highway.
- East on I-70: the San Rafael Swell to Green River and Moab.
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.