Drives Utah Zion, Bryce and Southwest Utah

Beaver Canyon: Highway 153

UT 153 · Beaver → Puffer Lake turnoff

Twisty17 mi40 min3,800 ft climbHigh point ≈ 9,400 ftOne way

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The drive

SR 153 leaves the town of Beaver as 200 North and follows the Beaver River up Beaver Canyon into Fishlake National Forest. The road bends tightly beside the river, then climbs into the Tushar Mountains, passing Three Creeks Reservoir and Eagle Point Ski Resort on the way to Puffer Lake.

This drive ends at the Puffer Lake turnoff, where the pavement ends. It climbs about 3,750 feet in 17 miles and tops out around 9,400 feet. The western part of the road is the Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway, designated a Utah Scenic Byway in 1990 and a National Forest Service byway in 1991.

Past the turnoff, the road continues as a high, unpaved route over the mountains toward Junction. This guide stops where the asphalt does.

Along the way

Beaver (Highway 153)
Puffer Lake turnoff (end of pavement)

Elevation

3,800 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 9,400 ft

BeaverPuffer Lake turnoff

Curves

Mostly moderate, with two twisty stretches

mi 5–8mi 7–13

BeaverPuffer Lake turnoff

GentleHairpins

Good to know

The pavement ends at the Puffer Lake turnoff; the road beyond is unpaved and not part of this drive.
The winter closure on SR 153 begins around mile 22, beyond this drive's end, but snow can still affect the upper canyon in cold months.
Expect tight canyon bends and big elevation change: Beaver sits far lower than the lake.
Check UDOT Traffic for current conditions before heading up in fall or spring.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check UDOT Traffic.

Questions about this drive

How long does Beaver Canyon Highway 153 take to drive?

Beaver Canyon on SR 153 from Beaver to the Puffer Lake turnoff is 17 miles and takes about 42 minutes.

Is Highway 153 through Beaver Canyon paved all the way?

SR 153 is paved from Beaver up to the Puffer Lake turnoff, where the pavement ends. The road beyond is unpaved.

Is SR 153 in Beaver Canyon open in winter?

The part of SR 153 beyond about mile 22 closes in winter. This drive ends before that point, but snow can still affect the upper canyon, so check UDOT Traffic.

Is Beaver Canyon a scenic byway?

Yes. The western part of SR 153 is the Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway, a Utah Scenic Byway since 1990 and a National Forest Service byway since 1991.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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