There are well over 1,000 lakes within the Uinta Mountains’ 460,000 acres, many of which are easily accessed by the 42-mile-long State Route 150 (aka the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway), which starts 15 miles from Park City in Kamas.

Following are five Uinta mountain lakes, each easily accessed by SR 150 and an ideal destination for fishing, paddling, or taking a dip. Note: Lunch, extra layers, a rain jacket, and insect repellant are essential for a day in the Uintas.   

Rock climbers, hikers, and swimmers alike flock to Ruth Lake, located less than a mile from the trailhead (35 miles from Kamas), where there are restrooms and parking for about a dozen cars.

The byway’s namesake body of water, Mirror Lake, is located 32 miles from SR 150’s start in Kamas and, because of its location right off the road, is one of the area’s most heavily used lakes.

A slightly quieter and smaller but equally accessible lake is Moosehorn, located 30 miles from Kamas at the base of a craggy moraine.

If you dare, jump into the water off the cliffs at the far end of Wall Lake, an easy one-mile hike from the Crystal Lake trailhead (26 miles from Kamas). (Note: Several routes begin at this trailhead; be sure to take the Notch Mountain Trail.) 

The closest on our list to Kamas (24 miles up SR 150) is Washington Lake. Watch for the “Wash Lake” sign on the north side the road (marked 041); turn in there and drive the half mile to the lake.