Chicken Creek Road — Fishlake National Forest Skyline Drive to Fish Lake Plateau

Most people blow through Fishlake National Forest on their way to Capitol Reef or Bryce and never look up at the plateau above them. Chicken Creek Road corrects that mistake. Starting off the Fish Lake Plateau proper near Forest Route 640, this route climbs through dense aspen groves that ignite orange and gold in October, crosses open sagebrush meadows with unobstructed views toward the Awapa Plateau, and links to the rim overlooking the Fremont River drainage far below. It’s honest Utah high country — no slot canyons, no crowds, just a rough bench road at 10,000 feet where the wind smells like pine pitch and you might not see another truck all day. Watch for soft shoulder on the east-facing slopes well into June.

This is a moderate run that rewards a capable stock 4WD — deep ruts from spring snowmelt and occasional embedded rock require clearance, but experienced drivers in a capable truck with all-terrain tires won’t find it punishing. Windows are narrow: the plateau typically opens mid-June and closes hard by late October with early snow. Loa or Richfield are your fuel stops; neither is close when you’re already up top. Dispersed camping is permitted across Fishlake NF and the plateau is legitimate — flat sites, star skies uninterrupted by light pollution. No permit needed. Water from creek crossings should be filtered before use.