Fishlake National Forest Overview

Whether your tastes run to strapping on skis and gliding across wind-sculpted snow into alpine solitude, gazing through binoculars at herds of mule deer, or exploring seldom-visited trails, Fishlake National Forest is certain to satisfy with its special menu of outdoor offerings.

The forest has a story to tell, a tale of ancient rivers ever so slowly conquering land and slicing canyons rich in color and geology. From sedimentary and volcanic rock to scenery that ranges from near-desert to alpine, Fishlake is one of the most diverse forests in Utah.

Even in terms of human history, the forest is old. President McKinley first preserved Fishlake and its 1.4 million acres in 1899. A Utah state park has since been added within the forest's boundaries to preserve the remains of the largest known village site of the Fremont Native American culture, which thrived from 400 to 1150. It is here that you can view the ancient petroglyphs in Fool Creek Canyon.

The roof of the forest rises to the thin air zone of the 12,000 foot peaks of the Tushar Mountains. They are a skiers' playground, but they suit the camper, hiker, and angler just as well.

The remainder of the forest offers a variety of landscapes. About 2,400 miles of roads, mostly unpaved, provide access to nearly all of the forest. It will be slow and bumpy but well worth the Indiana Jones escapade involved.

Drive the Beaver Byway
What makes a classic drive? Throw in a winding river, excellent side excursions like hiking, and beautiful scenery along the way and you have all the right ingredients. Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway has all of that and more. This route winds east through pretty Beaver canyon along the cascading Beaver River high into the Tushar Mountains. Picnic areas, campgrounds, and excellent hiking abound. The pavement gives out after 19 miles near the Elk Meadows Ski and Summer Resort. If you and your auto feel up to the (at times) terrifically steep and winding dirt road that lies ahead on the way to the town of Junction, go for it. You'll be rewarded with terrific scenery.

Ride a Fat Tire Classic
You can't pass up the opportunity to fat tire a Utah classic like Mytoge Mountain. It's regarded as a "must-do" ride when visiting Fishlake National Forest. In fact, Mytoge is also the featured tour of the Fish Lake in the Fall Mountain Bike Festival, held annually in September. The 25-mile route snakes in and out of tree groves, up and over rolling hills and through a refreshing creek. It features great views of Fish Lake and the surrounding forested highcountry, as well as some steep climbs, pretty aspen forests, and open meadows. The downhill singletrack can get a bit wild and tricky, yet the loop caters to strong intermediate bikers.

Bag Delano Peak
Peak baggers won't be able to resist scaling Delano Peak, highest of the summits in the lofty Tushar Range. The climb makes for a wonderful though tiring day hike. Stiff climbing for 3 miles at the outset gets you up on the summit ridge. Mt. Holly at 11,985 feet is the first high point you'll come to, but the climb doesn't stop there. You'll ascend along a ridge for another 2 miles to Mt. Delano. If you're a sucker for great views, you're in luck: For most of this trek you look out over a huge expanse of southern Utah and the rest of the Tushars.

Fish at Fish Lake
You'd figure your luck is going to take a turn at a lake named Fish Lake, and you'd be right. This large natural lake is stocked with several species of trout, including some monster size Mackinaw. When the snow flies, the fishing continues, so defrost your ice fishing gear. When the fish are napping, head into the surrounding hills for quality hiking and biking. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are the big winter diversions. The lake is serviced by two marinas, several lodges, restaurants, and developed campgrounds.

Pushing Powder in the Tushars
For an intimate skiing experience that caters to the family of any ability, give Elk Meadows a try and experience the classic powder that is so Utah. Elk Meadows is the only ski resort in central Utah. It is smaller than its neighbors to the north, but provides many trails, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and an expanded snowboard park and halfpipe, maintained with a new state-of-the-art "Pipe Dragon."