Tibble Fork Reservoir is located high in the mountains and has amazing views! This location will never lead you astray, no matter the season.

Tibble Fork Reservoir is one of Utah’s most popular photo and recreational locations. Nestled in the scenic Wasatch Mountains, Tibble Fork Reservoir is a beautiful freshwater lake. It offers spectacular views! Tibble Fork Reservoir will never lead you astray, no matter what season it is! This reservoir makes for amazing Evergreen backdrops surrounded by trees popping with color year-round.

Getting to Tibble Fork Reservoir:

Tibble Fork Reservoir is located 6.8 miles from the start of American Fork Canyon. As you head up the canyon you will come to a fork in the road. Turn left following the sign that points to Tibble Fork Reservoir.

There used to be a fee booth at the start of the American Fork Canyon that required a purchase of a 3-day pass for $6 OR a National Park Pass. As of October 1, 2020, the booth has been taken down and they haven’t enforced passes. This could change with construction updates.

Taking Pictures at Tibble Fork:

Once you’ve arrived at the reservoir you can pretty much take pictures anywhere and everywhere! This is a great location for views of the mountains and reservoir. You can also walk into some trees for shade coverage and a change of scenery.

If you keep driving up the road you will come across a second parking lot with additional trails and open fields to take photos. This is my favorite area! It’s not very well known and still allows you to get those epic mountain view backdrops without all of the visitors at the lake.

Photo by: Photography by Tasha Rose (www.photographybytasharose.com)

General Tips to Know:

• American Fork Canyon has NO cell service! I generally meet my clients in a nearby public parking lot and either jump into one car or follow each other up the canyon so no one gets lost.
• This location can get VERY crowded especially in the summer months with photographers, or people using the reservoir for fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc.
• Dogs are allowed at this location!`

Tips for Spring

• This location is located high in the mountains so the snow melts later in the season. If you’re looking for a location free of snow in early spring, this probably isn’t your best option. 

Tips for Summer

• Weekend evenings can be particularly challenging to capture photos. There’s usually a lot of visitors out on the reservoir.
• You can get in the reservoir – the water is mountain run off from the snow, so it is VERY cold, even in the heat of Summer. But sometimes you do what you gotta do for the picture right? (add picture of me in water)

Tips for Fall

• The trees that surround Tibble Fork are primarily Evergreens which do not change in color, so this location is not great for fall colors, BUT it still has a Fall beauty of its own. On your way to Tibble Fork, there are hundreds of beautiful fall colored trees. So take advantage and stop along the way if you want more color!

Tips for Winter

• The road is always open! They do a great job of keeping the roads cleared up to American Fork Canyon. You can always check UDOT to see if the roads have been cleared before making the trip.
• Plowing stops at the big parking lot of the reservoir and paths are made by people walking on them. You will want some snow boots!
• The reservoir does freeze over, please use caution as it has been known to crack.

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