Nolan Creek Road to Mount Nebo Summit — Wasatch Plateau High Road via Juab County
Wasatch's highest summit, earned not gifted.
Mount Nebo at 11,928 feet is the tallest peak in the entire Wasatch Range, yet it sits far enough south of Salt Lake City that the crowds thin out fast once you leave Payson and climb into Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The Nolan Creek Road and Nebo Loop approach winds through oak brush and aspen before breaking into high alpine terrain with views east across the San Pitch Valley to the Book Cliffs. The USFS dirt road gains elevation quickly past the Ponderosa Group Camp and along the ridge toward the Nebo Bench trailhead, where the pavement ends and the real fun begins — a rocky, rutted jeep track that traces the western flank of the summit massif with steep drop-offs and no guardrails.
The upper section requires a true 4WD vehicle with solid ground clearance; the loose shale on the steep pitches above 10,000 feet will slide out under anything with highway tires. Don’t attempt after mid-October — snow comes early and the road closes. The main Nebo Loop Road (Forest Road 015) is a popular scenic byway but the backcountry spurs off it are where the serious terrain lives. No permit required; the Tinney Flat Campground near Payson makes a solid base. Fuel in Payson — there’s nothing on the mountain. This is one of Utah’s most underrated high-country drives.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 31 mi / 49.9 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11200 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Payson, UT |
| Land manager | Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest — Spanish Fork Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Nolan Creek Road to Mount Nebo Summit, or does it need to be built?
A stock 4WD high-clearance rig can make it, but the rocky shelf sections and loose decomposed granite near the summit will punish low-slung skid plates and sidewalls. All-terrain tires, a functioning rear locker, and at least 8 inches of clearance will save you headaches. Lifted rigs run it cleaner.
When does this route actually open, and is snow a real concern in early summer?
June through October is the window, but snow can linger on the upper sections well into late June at 11,200 feet — call the Spanish Fork Ranger District before heading up before July 4th. Early season also means soft, rutted roads lower down that can swallow axles after winter.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this route?
No permit required to drive the route — it's on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land managed by the Spanish Fork Ranger District. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard National Forest rules: 14-day stay limit, 200 feet from water and trails, pack out everything.
What's the hardest section and what am I actually dealing with on it?
The upper approach toward the Nebo summit ridgeline gets loose and rocky with exposure on one side and no real bailout — shelf road sections are one-lane with limited turnouts. Momentum management matters here; this isn't a crawl-it trail, it's a commit-and-read-the-line trail. Articulation and a steady throttle hand beat pure horsepower.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water on the route?
Payson is your last reliable gas stop — top off there before heading up Nolan Creek Road. There's no developed water on the route, so carry all you need; 31 miles at altitude with camping means a minimum of 4–5 liters per person plus water for your rig if it runs hot on the climb.
Trail track
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