Drive the Mount Nebo Loop Scenic Byway

There are so many beautiful places in Utah. From the Mighty 5 National Parks to several national monuments and 40+ state parks, Utah has so many places to explore. Mount Nebo Loop Scenic Byway makes a wonderful afternoon drive with the whole family. If you want to really explore the area, snag a campsite along the route and spend a night or two enjoying the great outdoors.

Regardless of how you plan to enjoy the Mount Nebo Loop Scenic Byway, you won’t regret it. Here’s a rundown on all you need to know to plan your trip behind Mount Nebo along the very scenic byway.

The Beginning and End of Mount Nebo Loop

Mount Nebo Loop can be started on either the north or south end. Since we live near Salt Lake City (north of Mount Nebo), we approached it from the north through the city of Payson. The scenic byway between Payson and Nephi is about 45 miles long, while I-15 between those two cities is about 28 miles. So the total loop is roughly 73 miles.

• Take the 800 S exit in Payson from I-15
• Head east until you reach 600 E
• Turn south and head up Payson Canyon
• You’re officially on Mount Nebo Loop

Here’s how to access the loop if you’re coming from the south.

• From I-15, take exit 225 in Payson and head east up the canyon
• Follow Highway 132 for about 4.5 miles, then turn left (head north)
• You’re now on the Mount Nebo Loop

You can take the loop from either direction. But the sequence of the stops listed below are in the order of someone traveling from north to south.

A Picnic in Payson Canyon Kiwanis Park

A few minutes up the canyon and you’ll already find the first place to stop. Payson Canyon Kiwanis Park is the perfect place for an afternoon or evening picnic. There’s a wide-open field that’d be perfect for a game of whiffle ball or Frisbee. The individual picnic tables are spread out beneath the canopy of the trees. There’s also a little bridge across the river and a trail you can use to explore the area.

If you need a restroom, they have toilets and sinks there, too. I would love to take my family on a fall picnic up the canyon as a way to enjoy the beautiful Utah weather and create more memories with the kids.

But don’t make this your first and only stop along the way. Keep heading up the road to really enjoy the mountain views.

Camp or Fish at Maple Lake Campground

Throughout the drive, you’ll see several offshoots of roads. Some are paved. Others aren’t. One very narrow and steep road leads to Maple Lake Campground. Our minivan made it up just fine, so it is accessible. But I wouldn’t try to bring an RV or tent trailer up to the campground.

All of the 10 campsites are first-come, first-served. They specify small and regular tents on the website, and there is no electricity. It really is a chance to get away from the city life and enjoy the great outdoors.

The lake is easily accessible on foot. Kayaks, floating and rafting are also great activities on the lake. You can try swimming, too – although a mountain lake may be a little too cold if you’re like me. Bring a fishing rod and try your luck at catching fish. There are also some trails in the area, so take a hike. If you simply want to visit the lake for the day, you can do that, too. No overnight trip required.

Hike to Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls Trail is roughly eight miles up the canyon. There is no large sign or anything, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for cars parked in a primitive parking area. It’s also at a spot where the road makes a 180 degree turn (from south to north). We ended up driving past the parking area. I figured we must have missed it, so we turned around and made our way back to the parking area. Sure enough, the trail was on the south side of the road right where it makes the U-turn north.

The trail is only 0.6 miles roundtrip. It leads to a small waterfall (I guess the size of the waterfall depends on the time of year you visit). There’s a log bridge you walk across, and the trail is fairly kid-friendly. You can spend time playing in the creek or simply make the hike up to the waterfall, enjoy it’s beauty for a moment, and then hike back down to continue your scenic drive.

Near the falls, we found a bird who had built a nest in the rock. It was fun watching the birds fly in and out of the nest. It’s always fun to keep an eye out for wildlife.

Camp at Payson Lakes

Payson Lakes is a pretty popular place. It may have been less popular this summer because of the lack of water (as you can see from the photo above). But the person at the information booth said it’s still pretty packed. There are about 100 campsites, all of which are first-come, first-served. Mid week may be your best chance of getting a camp site. Holiday weekends are nearly impossible. But you’re also welcome to try your luck. After all, people are obviously making it happen, considering how full it is.

Campers often enjoy the three lakes in the area – either for kayaking, canoeing or fishing. It’s only 12 miles from Payson, so it’s close enough if you need to run into town for groceries.

People often enjoy visiting the lake during the day, and then returning home to sleep in their bed at home at night. There is a day-use fee and overnight camping fees. But it could make a great mid-point along your Mount Nebo Loop Scenic Drive where you can stop for lunch, kayaking, fishing or swimming in the lakes.

Ponder at the Utah Lake Scenic Overlook

Before the trail gets behind Mount Nebo itself, there’s a great overlook to Utah County. You can see the major cities like Provo and Orem. You can also catch part of Utah Lake. If you visit during the right time of year, you may be able to enjoy a hike down the trail among wildflowers. I could see this a great place to set down a blanket, sit next to the love of your life and enjoy the sunset.

The pull-out for this overlook stop is on the north side of the road. There’s enough parking for several vehicles. While we were there, a person was standing next to his car flying a drone. Probably hoping to capture some amazing aerial photos from an already higher elevation. I’m not sure if drones are allowed there or not. So if you plan to fly one, know the rules.

Hike to the Top of Mount Nebo

If you want to summit the peak of the tallest mountain in the Wasatch Range, Mount Nebo’s your spot. My oldest son wanted to summit it with me this summer, but we ended up with an opportunity to hike a Via Ferrata above Kolob Canyon near Zion National Park and did that instead.

Mount Nebo stands at 11,929 feet. My son and I summited Lone Peak in south Salt Lake County, and that’s 11,253 feet. The ascent to Mount Nebo isn’t quite as long as to Lone Peak, but it looks like it’s a strenuous hike, none the less. The trailhead is the next stop along the Mount Nebo Loop. If you plan to summit, the 9.3 mile round-trip hike with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet. You’ll want to dedicate an entire day to reaching the summit. But if you just want to look at the summit from the road, there’s a nice overlook you can stop at.

Pause in the Devil’s Kitchen

It’s weird to see the iconic orange rocks of Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park in places like Utah County. But the Devil’s Kitchen is just that. The red rocks contrast nicely with the green trees of the Mount Nebo area. I’m not sure why they call it Devil’s Kitchen, but it’s worth a stop while making your scenic drive.

The pullout is clearly marked, so you shouldn’t miss it. There’s enough parking for a few cars, but not as many as some of the other stops. If you need a restroom, there’s one here.

A short (maybe 100 yards) hike takes you to the overlook of the red rock formations. You can spend a few minutes there enjoying the views before heading back to your car. If you want to use this as a stop for lunch or dinner, there’s a picnic table near the trailhead. Sadly, there’s only one picnic table so we ended up eating our sandwiches in the minivan.

Summary

I really enjoyed the few hours it took to drive the Mount Nebo Loop. I’d love to take my kids on the loop as well, but they whine and complain on just about every road trip. But at least in a road trip, there’s a destination in mind that isn’t “just back at home.”

I may take the drive again with my wife this fall to see the changing leaves of the aspen trees. I may find a time next summer to break away from home and take the kids camping – hoping we can get one of the first-come, first-served campsites. Either way, the Mount Nebo Loop scenic drive is something I recommend everyone enjoy. I’m not sure how well the roads are plowed in the winter, so maybe keep it to late spring, summer and fall.

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