Utah's Boulder Mountain Is Home To A Stunning Lake With A Scenic Hiking Loop

Utah has five national parks. It is not surprising, since this picture-perfect mountain state is a booming tourist destination with stunning scenery. But the "Mighty 5," as they are affectionately known, attracted more than 11 million visitors in 2025, so it can be hard to find quiet trails, much less viewpoints. But there are also six national forests that cover 15% of the Beehive State. These are where you can go to really escape the crowds, and Dixie National Forest is a good place to start. If you're lucky, you might have the loop trail around its beautiful Blind Lake all to yourself.

Dixie National Forest has four distinct areas across 3,000 square miles in southwestern Utah. Boulder Mountain, near its northeast corner, is dotted with more than 80 lakes. Blind Lake is its biggest and deepest.

Boulder Mountain is in a remote part of the state, about a five-hour drive from Salt Lake City, but it's worth the extra effort to get there. It's also under two hours from Capitol Reef National Park, an underrated and often overlooked national park in Utah.

Boulder Top, as Boulder Mountain is often nicknamed, is the highest point in Utah's Aquarius Plateau, the highest plateau in North America. It stands at an elevation of 11,328 feet. Blind Lake is less than 1,100 feet from its peak. The crystal-clear lake is actually a reservoir that was created at the beginning of the 20th century. It spreads out over 52 acres and is up to 52 feet deep. Now you just have to find this stunning spot.

To reach Blind Lake, you first have to hike up to it. There are two trailheads, Blind Lake and Fish Creek, where you can park along North Slope Road. Though the former is a shorter distance to the lake, it's also a rougher drive. Only four-wheel-drive vehicles should go up this far. It's then a 2-mile, out-and-back trail. The easy-to-follow trail has a steep climb through aspens, ponderosa pines, and damp meadows. When the forest clears, Blind Lake will be right in front of you with its turquoise water glistening in the sun.

From the water's edge, you can now access the Blind Lake Lakeshore Loop. This scenic trail hugs the curves of the lake for 1.5 miles. Donkey Point, a rocky mound, towers above it. This is an easy trail, both to follow and hike, that you can take in either direction. You could see trail runners, horseback riders, or mountain bikers along the way. But there's a good chance that no one else is here.

After hiking around the perimeter of Blind Lake, you might want to get in the water. Keep in mind that the water and surrounding air will always be cold, so make sure you bring something to dry off. You can also paddle across the lake. You can also paddle across the lake, but remember you have to hike in with all your gear, so consider an inflatable paddleboard or something easy to transport.

If you do see anyone else out there, they're probably fishing. Despite being such a remote destination, Blind Lake is a well-known spot for catching big fish. From April to November, you can cast for trout; brook, cutthroat, and rainbow trout are regularly seen in the water. You must purchase a Utah fishing license (three days for $44 for nonresidents) to fish here.

At the end of the day, you have two options: You can hike back down the trail or you can spend the night around Blind Lake. Though there isn't an official campground, there is dispersed camping. Between the gorgeous scenery, the dark sky, and the absolute silence, it's truly a peaceful spot. You can also pitch a tent at nearby Singletree Campground. The seasonal campground on the eastern side of Boulder Mountain is just a short hike from Singletree Falls, a waterfall that drops 30 feet over a rocky ledge.