Running on Eddie: Payson Lake Recreation Area

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Payson Lake Recreation Area

McClellan Lake

Introduction

Soon after leaving the Grotto Falls, I ran into the Payson Lakes Recreation Area. It seemed to be a main attraction on the Nebo Loop and figured, heck why not stop pay and check it out.

They had a fee area and to park cost $8. Not the end of the work and apparently the pass was good to park at any of the recreation areas through the Nebo Loop.

Payson Lakes consists of three lakes: McClellan, Box and Big East Reservoir, but I think collectively they are known as Payson Lake.

The first lake is definitely geared for fishing. It was very quiet, with a few ducks, a ton of powder blue dragon flies. Surrounding the tranquil lake was a nice little trail.

McClellan Lake

McClellan Lake from the south

McClellan Lake Backwoods Area

Leaving McClellan Lake

As I made my way around the lake I discovered another path that took me to Box Lake, a rectangular marshy lake that seemed to more pond than lake. I didn't see much activity here except it had a huge bed a vine-like wildflowers. It was pretty but small and more marsh like. No one was here and it seemed pretty shallow to even fish from

Box Lake

I headed back to my car and drove the remainder up the service road and discovered why I had to pay to enter the area. And I also found where everybody was hanging out.

Big East Reservoir is huge and has a beautiful, well maintained blacktop trail that circles the lake. There were a bunch of people boating in paddle boats, fishing and they even had a beach of sorts. People were swimming despite the warnings about swimmer's itch.

The interpretive trail around the lake was interesting and I figured it was a solid mile of easy walking. Lots of people were out picnicking. While the valley was in the mid 80's, up here at 7000+ feet it seemed so much cooler -- almost like fall was on the cusp of happening yet it was still warm enough to swim.

This was just an ideal place to spend the day and have a BBQ or throw your line out to fish (I saw a lot of fishing but not much catching).