Silver Lake Flat
- Alex Cabrero
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 19
(American Fork Canyon) If there’s one thing Utah is great at, it’s giving multiple lakes the same name and then daring you to figure out which one someone meant. Silver Lake Flat is a reservoir up American Fork Canyon that is not to be confused with the other Silver Lake that is in Big Cottonwood Canyon. They're relatively close but different.
Silver Lake Flat is a bit of a hidden gem, not because it’s hard to find, but because it takes just enough effort to keep the bigger crowds at Tibble Fork Reservoir from spilling over. The road to get to Silver Lake Flat is a classic Utah “you’re-fine-just-don’t-look-down” situation. It's about 2.5 miles of a bumpy dirt road with scenic drop-offs that whisper, “Hope your alignment’s good and your nerves are better.” I don't like heights, but I have been on this dirt road so many times, it doesn't bother me anymore.
Once you arrive at Silver Lake Flat, you'll know right away the white-knuckle drive was worth it. There are still crowds on the weekend, so arrive early to get a spot, but not nearly as busy as its down-mountain neighbor of Tibble Fork. It's more calm, quiet, and in my opinion, even more beautiful. Of course, there are a lot less people on the weekdays.
I brought along Aspen for a picnic. It was her first time visiting here and we found a spot right on the edge of the lake. Aspen wasted no time. The moment the camp chair and cooler were down, she was off splashing through the crisp blue water, chasing sticks like it was her full-time job, and making sure she sniffed every square inch of our little shoreline as if the lake had secrets it was hiding.
People floated by on paddleboards, families unwrapped sandwiches at picnic tables, and plenty of fisherman were busy catching the next "big one." There’s a sense of community at Silver Lake Flat, as if everyone who made the extra drive up the bumpy dirt road agreed silently to enjoy this scenic spot a little more because of it.
There are plenty of spots along the shoreline of the lake to enjoy lunch or use as a basecamp to go boating, paddling, or swimming. One side of the lake has a sandy beach, another side a bunch of trees, and another side is the rock and earthen dam that holds the water of the reservoir. You could walk around the entire lake if you want to.
There's even a large parking space along the road you drive in on, and another parking space that has restrooms and is the trailhead for the Silver Lake Trail. I have done this hike before and couldn't believe how many moose I saw along it.
Silver Lake Flat Reservoir was built in 1971. In 2015, it was drained so construction crews could build up the dam a little more to handle a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Because of the seismic upgrade, the reservoir got an extra six acres or so of space.
After lunch and stick fetching into the water, Aspen and I got in the Jeep, crossed the little stream of flowing water that fills Silver Lake Flat, and explored up the mountain road a bit into the dispersed camping area. Camping is not allowed around Silver Lake Flat, but after you cross the stream and turn right, just a little ways up you'll pass a sign that lets you know camping is now allowed.
There are several campsites you can easily find because of the rock fire rings and worn out grass spots. I knew of a perfect little spot that meant crossing the stream again a little further north of the first crossing. It's a shaded pullout with a fire ring and the babbling stream right next to the spot.
We didn’t light a fire (too warm for that), but we did something even better... we sat down and took a nap. Me in my soft oversized camp chair and Aspen right next to me in on the ground. We were in the shaded on a hot day, and with the sound of the water right next to us, it was easy to doze off. It was one of those simple, soul-restoring moments that sticks with you for days.
Tibble Fork offers the same adventures, but it has become immensely popular the past few years. If you like crowds, Tibble Fork is just fine. If you want fewer crowds and you’re up for a short adventurous drive with high alpine payoff, Silver Lake Flat is a perfect retreat. In my opinion, it is definitely worth it.
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