Outdoors & Adventure · Explore Central Utah · Nephi, Utah
Nebo Loop Scenic Byway — our favorite drive in Central Utah, especially on two wheels.
38 miles between Nephi and Payson, climbing past 9,000 feet with Mount Nebo towering over the whole route. Here's the honest guide — including our favorite stop and a fair warning about the road itself.
We drive the Nebo Loop a lot. It's one of the routes we come back to more than almost anywhere else in Central Utah.
The Nebo Loop is a 38-mile scenic byway connecting Nephi and Payson, climbing past 9,000 feet with Mount Nebo — the tallest peak in the Wasatch Range — towering over the entire drive. It's nationally known for its fall colors, and that reputation is earned. But we're out here whenever the road is open, not just during foliage season.
My personal favorite way to do it is on the motorcycle. The corners are sharp, technical, and genuinely beautiful — but I want to be upfront about something before you plan a trip: if you're afraid of heights or cliffs, this might not be your drive. Here's the honest guide, including where we always stop.
The Nebo Loop closes seasonally for winter weather. Always check current road conditions before heading out, especially in early spring or late fall.
The basics
Length, elevation, and season.
The Nebo Loop runs 38 miles between Nephi and Payson, Utah, climbing to a high point of approximately 9,345 feet. The byway passes alongside Mount Nebo, which at 11,928 feet is the tallest peak in the Wasatch Range. Without stops, the drive takes roughly 1.5 hours; with stops at the overlooks and trailheads, plan for 2 to 3 hours, and a full day if you're doing any of the longer hikes along the way.
The road is paved and two-way, with access points at both ends — from the south via Exit 225 off I-15 in Nephi onto SR-132, then north onto the byway; from the north via Exit 248 in Payson. The Nebo Loop closes seasonally due to snow, typically from late October through Memorial Day, though the exact opening and closing dates shift year to year depending on snowpack.
It is genuinely worth checking current conditions with the Spanish Fork Ranger District before planning a trip in shoulder season. Snow can linger at the high point well into May, and early storms can close the road again before Halloween.
Local Realtor Note
"We drive this loop constantly, not just in October for the leaves. It's worth knowing the road well enough to recognize when conditions are good for a family drive versus when it's better suited for experienced riders or drivers."
— Dana Hoyt, Summit Keys
Nebo Loop Scenic Byway · Central Utah
On two wheels
Why the motorcycle ride is the best way to experience it.
For motorcycle riders, the Nebo Loop is one of the more rewarding rides in Central Utah — a series of sharp, technical corners climbing through changing terrain, with views that open up dramatically at several points along the route.
The road's elevation change and curve frequency are exactly what make it appealing on two wheels, but those same qualities mean it requires genuine attention and comfort with mountain riding. Riders or passengers who are uneasy with heights, cliffside exposure, or steep narrow roads should know that going in — there are sections with real drop-offs and limited shoulder.
For those who are comfortable with it, the lookouts and the ride itself are worth every bit of the nerve it takes to get there.
Worth being honest about
"If you ride, this is genuinely one of the best roads in the state. If cliffs make you nervous as a passenger, this might not be the drive for you — and that's a fair and honest thing to know before you go."
— Dana Hoyt
Our go-to stop
Devils Kitchen — where we always stop.
Devils Kitchen is a geologic interest site along the Nebo Loop featuring striking red eroded rock formations and spires that resemble a small-scale Bryce Canyon dropped into the middle of green mountain forest. It's a startling piece of terrain in the middle of an otherwise alpine drive.
The site includes a short, paved access trail of roughly a quarter mile, leading to a railed observation deck overlooking the formation. This makes it one of the most accessible and genuinely family-friendly stops on the entire byway — the hike is short enough for young kids to manage, and the fenced overlook means visitors get the full view of the dramatic terrain without needing to get close to any actual edge.
For families exploring the Nebo Loop with children, this is consistently the most worthwhile single stop on the route.
Local Realtor Note
"Devils Kitchen is where we always stop. It's a short hike, genuinely doable with kids, and the fenced lookout means everyone gets the view safely. If you only make one stop on the whole loop, make it this one."
— Dana Hoyt, Summit Keys
Devils Kitchen · Nebo Loop
Other stops
Other stops worth knowing about.
Beyond Devils Kitchen, the Nebo Loop offers several other notable stops. Payson Lakes Recreation Area, located south of Payson, offers paved hiking trails, developed picnic areas, camping, and fishing — a popular full-day destination in its own right. Multiple scenic overlooks along the route offer sweeping views into Utah Valley and the surrounding mountain terrain, several with informational signage about the area's geology and history.
For more experienced hikers, several trailheads along the byway connect to Mount Nebo itself, including routes to the summit — these are serious, multi-mile hikes with significant elevation gain, not casual family outings.
Stops along the byway
Devils Kitchen
Short paved trail, fenced overlook, family-friendly
Payson Lakes
Camping, fishing, paved trails
Multiple scenic overlooks
Utah Valley views, informational signage
Mount Nebo trailheads
Serious hikes for experienced hikers, significant elevation gain
Fall colors
Why people come from out of state.
The Nebo Loop is nationally recognized for its fall foliage, drawing visitors from well outside Utah during peak color season, typically late September into early October depending on elevation and weather. The mix of aspen, oak, and evergreen across the byway's elevation range creates a particularly vivid display, with lower elevations often peaking slightly later than the higher sections near the pass.
For those specifically planning a trip around fall colors, timing can vary year to year — checking recent reports or driving the route with flexibility built into the timing tends to produce the best results. If you can swing a weekday, you'll have a lot more of the road to yourself.
Plan your drive
Practical details.
Length
38 miles, Nephi to Payson
Drive time
~1.5 hours without stops; 2–3 hours with stops; full day with hiking
High point
~9,345 feet
Season
Generally open Memorial Day through late October — closes seasonally for snow, exact dates vary by year
South access
I-15 Exit 225 (Nephi) → east on SR-132 → north onto Forest Road 015
North access
I-15 Exit 248 (Payson) → east on 800 South → right on 600 East (becomes Nebo Loop Road)
Best for
Scenic driving, motorcycle riding, photography, fall colors, family-friendly short hikes (Devils Kitchen), serious hiking (Mount Nebo trailheads)
Road conditions
Spanish Fork Ranger District, 801-798-3571
Road opening and closing dates depend on snowpack and can shift significantly year to year. Always verify current conditions before planning a trip, especially in May or late October.
FAQs
Nebo Loop Scenic Byway FAQs.
If you're exploring the area more broadly, the Grotto Falls family hike sits right off the Nebo Loop and pairs well with a Devils Kitchen stop. For a sense of the towns at either end, the guide to living in Nephi and a look at life near Little Sahara are both worth a read.
Road conditions, seasonal closure dates, and trail conditions on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway can change and should be verified directly with the Spanish Fork Ranger District before visiting, particularly in shoulder seasons. This post reflects the personal experience of Dana Hoyt and his family along with publicly available information. Outdoor recreation carries inherent risk — use appropriate caution, especially in areas with elevation exposure.
Dana Hoyt is a licensed Realtor® in Utah with Summit Keys Real Estate and Real Brokerage, LLC The Perry Group. Have questions about Nephi, Juab County, or Central Utah? Get in touch.
