Things to Do in Kamas and the Uinta Front, From Provo

Things to Do October 20, 2026 9 min read ✓ Updated October 20, 2026

JoAnn Giordano Editor-in-Chief, Provo.com How we make Provo.com

Kamas is the town at the bottom of the Mirror Lake Highway, the place you fuel up, buy your recreation pass and turn east into the Uintas. Most Utah Valley drivers pass straight through on the way to the high lakes. That misses a lot: the first 20 miles of the highway hold easy creekside trails and a waterfall, the town has a trout hatchery and a smokehouse, and Oakley, just north, puts on four nights of PRCA rodeo around the Fourth of July.

This page is the gateway list. Our Mirror Lake Highway guide covers the drive over Bald Mountain Pass, the closure, camping and mosquitoes, and our Uinta trail-by-trail guide covers the high trailheads from Crystal Lake to Christmas Meadows. Everything below is in Kamas, on the lower highway, or in the Kamas Valley towns around it.

From Provo

OpenStreetMap routing puts the Forest Service office in Kamas about 44 miles and an hour from Center Street and University Avenue in Provo, and Oakley about 50 miles and 71 minutes, both without traffic. The route runs up Provo Canyon on US-189, through Heber on US-40, then north on SR-32. Kamas is the last full town before the Uintas, so fuel there.

The pass, first

The Forest Service lists Mirror Lake Scenic Corridor Recreation Area fees of $10 for three days, $20 for seven days and $60 for a year, and honors America the Beautiful interagency passes. It also notes that restrooms and potable water are not available at the byway's own listing. You can pay at self-serve stations along the highway, but the Heber-Kamas Ranger District office at 50 East Center Street in Kamas sells passes and maps and answers trail questions, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stop there first if it is a weekday.

Eleven things to do in Kamas and on the Uinta front

1. The Heber-Kamas Ranger District office

Not an attraction in the usual sense, but the most useful stop in town. The Forest Service office sells Mirror Lake passes and maps, issues firewood and Christmas tree permits, and its staff will steer you to a trail that fits the day and the season, which matters in fall when the lower trails are better than the snowy high ones. Getting there: 50 East Center Street, Kamas. Cost: Free to ask; passes as listed above. Season: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed weekends, per its Google listing in October 2026. Phone: (435) 783-4338. Forest Service: Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

2. Kamas State Fish Hatchery

Three miles southeast of Kamas, this Division of Wildlife Resources hatchery began raising fish in 1930, the eighth state hatchery built in Utah, and was rebuilt between 1998 and 2001. It raises rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout and grayling for the high lakes of the Uintas, the upper Provo River and Strawberry Reservoir; after the rebuild it could produce more than 140,000 pounds of fish a year. The catch for visitors: the DWR says most of its hatcheries allow visits only by appointment, or not at all, to protect fish health. Its Google listing in October 2026 showed hourly tour slots Thursday through Sunday. Getting there: 2722 SR-150, Kamas. Cost: No fee listed. Season: Call ahead at 435-783-4883. Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission: Kamas hatchery

3. Samak Smoke House

The country store a couple of miles up SR-150 from Kamas, a common last stop before the Uintas for smoked meats, smoked fish, cheese, sandwiches and camping supplies. Getting there: 1937 SR-150, Kamas. Cost: Store prices. Season: Its Google listing in October 2026 showed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Phone: (435) 783-4880.

4. Beaver Creek Trail

The easy one. AllTrails lists the trail at 6.2 miles out and back with 406 feet of gain, rated easy, topping out around 7,400 feet, and open to hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and in winter cross-country skiers and snowshoers. AllTrails' summary of recent reviews mentions wildflowers, shade, dust and cattle on the trail. Since it barely climbs, it works as a turnaround walk of any length with kids or a dog. Getting there: Off SR-150 east of Kamas, inside the Mirror Lake fee area. Cost: Mirror Lake pass. Season: AllTrails suggests May through October; winter for skis. AllTrails: Beaver Creek Trail

5. Yellow Pine Trail

The hard one close to town. AllTrails lists 9.5 miles out and back with 2,631 feet of gain to a high point around 9,650 feet, rated hard, with dogs allowed on leash; AllTrails' review summary mentions steep climbs and muddy crossings. Getting there: Off SR-150 east of Kamas. Cost: Mirror Lake pass. Season: AllTrails lists it as open year-round, with snow travel in winter. AllTrails: Yellow Pine Trail

6. Shingle Creek Trail

The trail begins on the highway 9.5 miles east of Kamas and follows Shingle Creek gradually uphill through forest to East Shingle Lake. AllTrails lists 12.1 miles out and back with 2,293 feet of gain, rated hard, and notes that early-summer controlled burns can affect it. For a shorter day, the first few miles along the creek make a pleasant out and back. Getting there: SR-150, 9.5 miles east of Kamas. Cost: Mirror Lake pass. Season: May through October. AllTrails: Shingle Creek Trail

7. Provo River Falls

A string of cascades just off the highway, higher up than the trails above, where the river that ends in Utah Lake starts its run. AllTrails lists it as a 0.2-mile out and back with 36 feet of gain at about 9,360 feet, and AllTrails' review summary warns of weekend crowds. It is the easiest scenic stop on the road. Getting there: A signed pullout on SR-150. Cost: Mirror Lake pass. Season: July through September is best; the upper highway closes in winter. AllTrails: Provo River Falls

8. Smith and Morehouse Reservoir

A small reservoir at 7,800 feet in conifer and aspen forest up Weber Canyon from Oakley, where motorboats are allowed but held to no-wake speed, which makes it good for paddling, and anglers fish for stocked rainbow trout. The 14.6-mile Smith Morehouse Trail heads from Ledgefork Campground toward Erickson Basin. The catch for 2026: Recreation.gov lists the campground as closed for the season with gates locked, expected to reopen around May 14, 2027. Getting there: From Oakley, 12 miles to the end of pavement on Highway 213, then 2 more miles. Cost: Campground fees when open. Season: Late spring through fall. Recreation.gov: Smith and Morehouse

9. Rockport State Park

The reservoir north of Oakley along SR-32, with trout and bass fishing, a boat ramp with floating docks on the east side, tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding in summer, more than a hundred campsites in five campgrounds, a 3D archery range with full-size animal targets, and ice fishing in winter. Getting there: Off SR-32 north of Oakley. Cost: $20 per vehicle, $15 for seniors, or $5 to park and walk in from Highway 32, as listed in October 2026. Season: Year-round. Rockport State Park

10. Oakley Independence Day Celebration and PRCA Rodeo

Oakley's Fourth of July runs nearly a week. In 2026 slack events opened June 30, the PRCA rodeo ran four nights, July 1 to 4 at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks after each show, and Xtreme Bulls closed it on July 6. The Fourth itself brought a fun run and 5K, a 10 a.m. parade on SR-32 and Center Street, a patriotic program at the Oakley Red Barn, food trucks all day and a free junior rodeo for kids 12 and under at 1 p.m. The city asks parade watchers near the complex not to set up chairs until the July 3 rodeo ends. Getting there: Oakley Outdoor Arena and Recreation Complex. Cost: Rodeo tickets through the city; the kids' games are free. Season: The days around July 4. Oakley City celebration schedule

11. Kamas Fiesta Days

The Kamas Valley's Pioneer Day week at Kamas City Park, which marked 85 years in 2023. That year's schedule, the most recent one we could read in full, opened with a bulls and broncs rodeo on Thursday ($10), then a parade and a military night at the rodeo Friday, and a 5K, a scholarship breakfast, an auction for Primary Children's Hospital and a concert Saturday, with Pioneer Day events on the Sunday and Monday. The city's Fiesta Days page did not post a 2026 schedule we could read. Getting there: Kamas City Park. Cost: Rodeo tickets were $10 in 2023. Season: The week leading up to July 24. KPCW on Fiesta Days at 85

Lower front or high country?

	Lower front (this page)	High country (Uinta guides)
Elevation	About 7,400 to 9,700 feet	About 10,000 feet and up
Season	Longest; some trails ski in winter	Summer until the snow
Best for	Easy walks, shoulder seasons, a half day	Lakes, summits, a full day
From Provo	About an hour to Kamas	Add 30 to 45 minutes

If the forecast for Bald Mountain Pass looks cold or the road is still closed, the lower front is the fallback. If it is a clear July weekend, push up the highway to the lakes in our Uinta trail guide and stop at the smokehouse on the way home. For camping beyond the developed campgrounds, read our dispersed camping guide first, and for the fishing, our fishing near Provo guide. Heber and Midway, covered in Things to Do in Heber and Midway, are on the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Kamas from Provo?

OpenStreetMap routing puts the Forest Service office in Kamas about 44 miles and an hour from Center Street and University Avenue in Provo without traffic, up Provo Canyon and north through Heber on US-40 and SR-32. Oakley is about 50 miles and 71 minutes.

Do I need a pass to drive the Mirror Lake Highway?

You need one to stop and use the recreation sites. The Forest Service lists Mirror Lake Scenic Corridor fees of $10 for three days, $20 for seven days and $60 for a year, and it honors America the Beautiful passes. The Heber-Kamas Ranger District office at 50 East Center Street in Kamas, open weekdays, is the place to buy one and ask about trails.

What is there to do in Kamas itself?

Kamas is the supply stop and the starting line. The ranger office, fuel, the Samak Smoke House just up SR-150, the state fish hatchery three miles southeast of town and the July Fiesta Days are the town's own attractions. Most of what people come for is up the canyon.

What is the easiest hike near Kamas?

The Beaver Creek Trail, which AllTrails lists at 6.2 miles out and back with just 406 feet of gain and rates as easy. You can turn around at any point. For a short stop, the Provo River Falls are a few hundred yards from the road higher up the highway.

Is Smith and Morehouse open?

The campground is closed for the 2026 season, with gates locked; Recreation.gov expects it to reopen around May 14, 2027. The reservoir sits about 14 miles from Oakley up Weber Canyon, at the end of Highway 213.

When is the Oakley rodeo?

Around the Fourth of July. In 2026 the Oakley PRCA Rodeo ran July 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks after each show, and Xtreme Bulls followed on July 6. The parade was July 4 at 10 a.m. on SR-32 and Center Street.

Can you visit the Kamas fish hatchery?

Call first at 435-783-4883. The Division of Wildlife Resources says most of its hatcheries allow visits only by appointment, or not at all, for the health of the fish. The hatchery's Google listing shows hourly tour slots Thursday through Sunday.

When does the Mirror Lake Highway close?

The upper highway closes with snow each winter and reopens in late spring or early summer. The lower trails around Kamas, including Beaver Creek and Yellow Pine, are listed by AllTrails as winter cross-country ski and snowshoe routes, so the Kamas end stays useful after the pass closes. Check UDOT before driving.

Sources

The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.

Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (fees), USDA Forest Service, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Checked October 19, 2026.
Kamas State Fish Hatchery, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission. Checked October 19, 2026.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: Hatcheries, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Checked October 19, 2026.
Smith and Morehouse campground, Recreation.gov. Checked October 19, 2026.
Rockport State Park, Utah State Parks. Checked October 19, 2026.
Rockport State Park fees, Utah State Parks. Checked October 19, 2026.
2026 Oakley Independence Day Celebration schedule, Oakley City. Checked October 19, 2026.
Beaver Creek Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
Yellow Pine Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
Shingle Creek Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
Provo River Waterfalls, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
Kamas celebrates 85 years of Fiesta Days, KPCW. Checked October 19, 2026.
Heber-Kamas Ranger District, Samak Smoke House and DWR Kamas Fish Hatchery listings, Google Places. Checked October 19, 2026.
OSRM routing (OpenStreetMap data), drive estimates from Center St & University Ave, Provo, Project OSRM. Checked October 19, 2026.

JoAnn Giordano

Editor-in-Chief

JoAnn Giordano is the editor-in-chief of Provo.com. Having lived in and around Utah Valley for years, she leads the site's editorial direction with a focus on the comprehensive, honest local coverage that helps residents, students, and newcomers feel at home. When she's not shaping Provo.com's restaurant and neighborhood coverage, she's exploring the valley's trails and tracking down the best new spots on Center Street.

Things to Do in Kamas and the Uinta Front, From Provo: The Mirror Lake Gateway, Its Lower Trails, the Hatchery and the Oakley Rodeo (2026)