Nebo Loop by motorcycle
The closest big mountain ride south of Salt Lake City. One paved, winding forest road climbs past 9,000 feet below Mount Nebo, the tallest peak in the Wasatch Range, and drops you back on I-15 at the other end.
The route at a glance
- Start: Payson (I-15 exit 248) or Nephi (I-15 exit 225)
- Road: the Nebo Loop Road, Forest Road 015, through the Uinta National Forest (Utah.com)
- Length: 38 miles, about 1.5 hours without stops (Utah.com)
- High point: over 9,000 ft (Utah.com). Mount Nebo itself is 11,928 ft (Visit Utah).
- Salt Lake City to Payson: about an hour on I-15 (estimate; check your map app)
North to south
Into the hills from Payson. Leave I-15 at exit 248, head east on 800 South, then turn right on 600 East. That street becomes the Nebo Loop Road (Visit Utah). The road is paved and winding, climbing from scrub oak and maple through aspen into fir and spruce (Visit Utah).
Payson Lakes. About 12 miles south of Payson (Utah.com). Three lakes with picnic areas, a paved path and camping (Visit Utah). Grotto Falls is a flat, easy walk to a small waterfall (Visit Utah).
The high country. Overlooks look back over Utah Valley and across to the east face of Mount Nebo (Visit Utah; City of Nephi).
Devil's Kitchen. A red sandstone amphitheater of spires, with picnic tables, a paved trail and an observation deck (Utah.com). The best short stop on the loop.
Down to Nephi. The forest road meets State Route 132; turn west and it is five miles to I-15 at exit 225 in Nephi (Utah.com). Look for the salt pillars just off SR-132 (City of Nephi).
Getting back
I-15 north from Nephi to Salt Lake City, or ride the loop the other way and finish in Payson. Round trip from Salt Lake City, about 4 hours of riding before stops (estimate).
Before you ride
- Season: the byway is closed in winter (Utah.com). The City of Nephi says heavy snow closes it from late October until June or July (City of Nephi). Check for closures before you go.
- Services: none listed on the loop itself, only campgrounds and picnic areas (Utah.com). Fill up in Payson or Nephi.
- Autumn color is the big draw (Utah.com). Pack a layer: it is much cooler at 9,000 ft.
- Wildlife: Visit Utah warns backcountry visitors to watch for bears (Visit Utah).
- Ranger district: Spanish Fork Ranger District, 801-798-3571 (Utah.com).
- Rules for visiting riders (helmets, eye protection, lane filtering): Riding in Utah.
Keep going
- More mountain rides from the airport: Salt Lake City (Guardsman Pass, the Alpine Loop, Mirror Lake Highway) and Park City and Heber.
- North instead: Logan Canyon to Bear Lake.
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.