Smith and Morehouse Trail

Route Description for Smith and Morehouse Trail

The Smith and Morehouse Trail is a fantastic adventure in the Western Uintas. This route is an ambitious day hike, so be sure to start your day early and bring along lots of snacks and water to fuel your adventure. This trail can be confusing at times; we strongly recommend downloading or printing a map of the route ahead of time and bringing along a GPS unit if you have it. Dogs are welcome on this trail but do keep an eye out for wildlife such as moose and deer who roam the area. If you do encounter wildlife, do not feed the animals, keep your dog at a safe distance, and give the wildlife plenty of personal space.

With over 22.5 km of trail to explore, the Smith and Morehouse Trail is a wonderful way to spend a day in the Utah wilderness. This trail passes through lush forest, past pristine alpine lakes and over rocky terrain. Be sure to pack your camera on this hike; the Smith and Morehouse Trail provides stunning views at every twist and turn.

To hike the Smith and Morehouse Trail, begin at the Ledgefork Campground at the south end of Smith and Morehouse Reservoir. From the campground, follow the Smith and Morehouse Trail south along Smith and Morehouse Creek for 4.3 km to a divide. At the divide, take the path on your left to head southeast for 5.3 km to the next divide. At this divide, take the path on your left once again and head east past Island Lake and Cutthroat Lake to Long Lake.

At Long Lake, you can set up your tent and spend a night along the lakeshore before heading back, or you can enjoy a quick break on the shore then head right back to the Ledgefork Campground the way you came.

Trail Highlights

Smith and Morehouse Reservoir

The Smith and Morehouse Reservoir is a 44-acre lake in the Western Uintas. This reservoir is a popular spot for fishing, camping, paddle boarding and kayaking. There are two campgrounds on the shores of the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir: The aptly named Smith and Morehouse Campground located on the north shore and the Ledgefork Campground on the south shore.

Island Lake

Island Lake is a popular destination in the Uinta Mountains. This lake is a great place to swim, camp, and picnic. If you enjoy fishing, Island Lake is a good spot to fish for Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Rainbow Trout. For the thrill-seeker, Island Lake also has a spot for cliff jumping. The Island Lake Cliffs are 9 m-15 m tall and, be warned, the water below is frigid, please exercise caution and enjoy responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of fish are in the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir?

Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, Brown Trout, and Kokanee Salmon can all be found in the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir. Statewide fishing regulations apply.

Insider Hints for Smith and Morehouse Trail

• This trail can be buggy in the early summer. If you are hiking in June or early July, bring along some bug spray.
• If you don’t have time to hike the whole thing, just check out the first few miles of this trail for some picturesque views.
• This is a long hike; bring salty, high-calorie snacks to fuel your day. We recommend bringing a water filter so that you can refill your water bottle along the trail.
• If you are planning to do this hike in one day, bring along a headlamp in case you wind up finishing after dark.