Nearby Attractions

Explore the great outdoors near Loa, Utah, with visits to the scenic Boulder Mountain and the majestic Capitol Reef National Park. This guide highlights prime spots for hiking, birdwatching, and soaking in the natural beauty, offering a gateway to some of the most stunning landscapes in the region.

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park, nestled in Utah's red rock country, is a vast expanse showcasing the Waterpocket Fold—a dramatic geologic wrinkle. This park offers diverse landscapes filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges, making it a paradise for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and geology buffs. Visitors can drive the scenic routes, explore historic orchards in the Fruita area, or embark on hikes ranging from easy strolls to challenging backcountry adventures.

Dixie National Forest

Dixie National Forest, sprawling across southern Utah, offers a breathtaking mosaic of red rock canyons, high mountain forests, and alpine lakes. This vast area serves as a gateway to surrounding national parks, featuring accessible scenic byways perfect for car travel and more rugged backways for adventurous spirits with suitable vehicles. The forest is home to diverse wildlife and provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and winter sports on well-maintained trails. For those interested in fishing, Dixie National Forest includes access points at places like Panguitch Lake.

Fish Lake

Thousand Lake Mountain, despite its misleading name, offers a variety of recreational activities across its dramatic landscape of red sandstone and high-altitude forests. Located in the eastern part of Fishlake National Forest, this mountain is popular for its scenic drives, particularly along Thousand Lake Mountain Road. This route provides spectacular views and access to remote areas, ideal for those seeking solitude and a connection with nature.

Fish Lake National Forest

Fishlake National Forest, nestled in the heart of Utah, is a breathtaking natural retreat famed for its expansive aspen groves and serene mountain lakes. The forest caters to outdoor enthusiasts with activities like trophy fishing at Fish Lake, scenic drives along the Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway, and a multitude of trails for hiking and ATV riding across diverse terrains. Whether you're angling for trout or exploring trails on horseback, Fishlake National Forest delivers an exceptional outdoor experience.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, spanning nearly 1.9 million acres in Southern Utah, offers a dramatic and diverse landscape. This vast area features multi-hued sandstone cliffs forming a natural staircase, rugged canyons, and a rich array of cultural and scientific resources. Visitors can explore slot canyons like the striking Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons, view expansive vistas along Scenic Highway 12, and enjoy the solitude of remote backcountry trails. This monument is a treasure trove for hiking, geological exploration, and photography.

Thousand Lake Mountain

Thousand Lake Mountain, despite its misleading name, offers a variety of recreational activities across its dramatic landscape of red sandstone and high-altitude forests. Located in the eastern part of Fishlake National Forest, this mountain is popular for its scenic drives, particularly along Thousand Lake Mountain Road. This route provides spectacular views and access to remote areas, ideal for those seeking solitude and a connection with nature.

Bicknell Bottoms

Bicknell Bottoms, nestled near the small town of Bicknell, Utah, is a 670-acre wildlife refuge renowned for its rich birdwatching opportunities. This area, once a shallow lake, now consists of a mix of wetlands and farmland, creating an ideal habitat for various waterfowl and other birds such as the marsh wren and southwestern willow flycatcher. The Fremont River and Pine Creek, which flow through Bicknell Bottoms, are stocked with rainbow and brown trout, making it a good spot for fishing. Spring and fall are particularly great times to visit due to the bird migrations.

Boulder Mountain

Boulder Mountain, rising majestically above Utah's red rock canyons, is recognized as the highest forested plateau in North America. This mountain offers breathtaking vistas of Capitol Reef National Park to the east and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the south. A paradise for anglers, it boasts around 80 high-elevation lakes known for excellent trout fishing, with species like brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Hiking, camping, and scenic drives along Highway 12 are popular activities, providing access to the mountain's rugged beauty and remote landscapes.