Utah Lake – RDZ Photography

Least you forget the name, Utah Lake is in Utah County in the state of…Utah. It is the largest freshwater lake in the state, covering approximately 148 square miles, but only up to a depth of 14 feet.

At one time there were thirteen different types of fish native to the lake, but after the settlers arrived in the late 1800s they introduced carp into the lake, along with pollution and over fishing. As a result only 1 native fish remains, the Utah sucker, with the carp being well over 90% of the fish in the lake, although birds seem to like it.

Situated in the Utah Valley (of course), mountains surround the lake.

Being the only lake around it is a popular place for sailing.

Utah Lake, Utah Valley, Utah County, Utah.

The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway skirts the 12,000′ high Mount Nebo, going from the town of Nephi to Payson, Utah.

The route peaks out at 9000′ elevation, and is paved the entire distance. Having completed the Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway earlier in the day, this route was somewhat disappointing in the lack of color in the leaves, the relative ease of the drive and the amount of traffic – far more traffic here.

Still had we not been on Beaver Canyon earlier this would’ve wowed us with the scenery.

As we neared the end closest to Payson we had a great view of Utah Lake and the valley near Provo.

Our final few miles went through Payson Canyon. Overall a nice drive but if you can only choose one I would strongly recommend Beaver Canyon, even though it is about 100 miles further from the larger population centers of Utah.