Navajo Lake Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fishing · Lake · Swimming · Wildflowers

This hike loops around beautiful Navajo Lake. It is generally a quiet trail and works its way through basalt boulder fields, aspens, and some pine trees. You can find an elaborate array of wild fungi depending on the season, too. The trail is mostly flat with a little elevation near the southwest side of the lake. This is a long hike if you complete the loop, but it can also be done as an out and back along the north side of the lake. There are places to swim in the lake, and taking a dip isn't the worst idea on a hot day! You may share this trail with mountain bikers, especially during the summer months.

Park at the southeast side of the lake in a large dirt parking lot. Start heading north counterclockwise around the lake, through a basalt field and under aspen trees until reaching a singletrack trail that parallels the lake. Follow this for 3 miles before reaching the Te-ah Campground.

Cross Navajo Lake Road at the Te-ah campground to the South side of the main road, then follow the obvious trail up through large pine trees. This is where most of the elevation is, so if you would like to turn around here it's a good time to turn back, making the hike a bit more mellow. Follow the dirt singletrack for 1.6 miles before taking a left.

Follow the trail that parallels the road for 4.4 miles up and down hills. There are a few intersections, but continue straight through thes junctions until reaching Navajo Lake road. Cross the road and you'll be back at your vehicle!

Aspens, cottonwoods, and pine trees grow tall around the lake. The undergrowth is filled with fungi like bullet mushrooms, and many other varieties of flora thrive in these high altitude conditions.