Mirror Lake’s elevation is 10,400 feet, so there’s hardly any suggestion of “summer” until July in this part of Utah. Even then, those temperatures are temporary. The timing is good, because July and August typically are the only months when the weather ever becomes uncomfortably hot in the Salt Lake Valley. That’s when Mirror Lake becomes especially attractive for a day’s visit or an overnight camping trip, with temperatures about 30 degrees cooler.
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The water itself often perfectly reflects the surrounding scenery. It is named Mirror Lake, after all.
The 1.-4 mile loop around the lake features a boardwalk in only some sections, but the dirt trail is smooth and the elevation gain is merely 39 feet, making the loop enjoyable for families with young children.
Mirror Lake is located at the base of Bald Mountain and the setting is best described as “peaceful,” amid the trees and flowers. Birds populate the Mirror Lake area and other forms of wildlife can be seen during the walk.
Mirror Lake is part of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and is 32 miles from the town of Kamas. Several other, more challenging hikes are accessible in the area.
Kayaking is popular on Mirror Lake, and so is fishing for rainbow trout. July and August are the prime months for visiting the lake, but September also offers a spectacular setting with the leaves changing, and the afternoons are still sufficiently warm. Some years, the season extends even into November.
Even many people who live in Utah tend to think of the High Uintas as remote, yet Mirror Lake is only about 75 miles from downtown Salt Lake City and is easily accessible via the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for updated, seasonal information about camping and other opportunities to explore Mirror Lake.
