Utah 24 is an east-west state highway in central Utah. Its route skirts Fishlake National Forest and passes through the central part of Capitol Reef National Park. Utah 24 begins in Sigurd and travels southeast to Loa (the seat of Wayne County), then turns east through Lyman, Bicknell, Torrey, Capitol Reef National Park, and Hanksville. From Hanksville, Utah 24 turns northeast through the San Rafael Desert alongside the San Rafael Reef to its eastern terminus at Interstate 70 and U.S. 50 Exit 149. Although some speculate that Utah 24 could have been designated as a potential western extension of U.S. 24 (which used to end in Grand Junction, Colorado), there is no evidence to support this claim.
Utah 24 west
This is the first mileage sign a traveler sees on Utah 24 west after the Utah 12 intersection. Notice that the mileage order is inverted; the mileage to Loa (18 miles) is on top, while Bicknell (eight miles) and Torrey (one mile) are on the bottom. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Utah 24 passes through the town of Torrey. Since this photo was taken in winter, the trees weren't in bloom. During summer, Torrey looks entirely different due to the foliage. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
About seven miles west of Torrey, Utah 24 west enters the town of Bicknell. Like many small towns in Central Utah, Bicknell includes a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) church, Sinclair gas station, and post office. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Lyman is the next town along westbound Utah 24. It, too, includes an LDS church and a gas station. The elevation in this area is about 7,000 feet above sea level. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
In between towns, the speed limit is 65 miles per hour. The next town on westbound Utah 24 is Loa, where Utah 72 branches off north through Fremont to meet Interstate 70 and U.S. 50. Loa is the Wayne County seat and largest town, with a population of 525 people. Loa, like Bicknell and Torrey, is fairly small and is a heavily Mormon farming community. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Utah 24 enters Loa from the east on E 300 St S, then turns north along Main Street to pass through downtown Loa. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Leaving Loa, Utah 24 west splits with Utah 72 north at this intersection. Utah 72 is the fastest route from here to Interstate 70 east toward Green River, Grand Junction, and Denver, as well as Utah 10 en route to Price. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Utah 24 heads into open, rolling plains west of Loa as the road gradually ascends to an 8,200-foot summit just before the Fish Lake turnoff (Utah 25). Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
The road continues along the foothills of the Fishlake Mountains, at about 8,000 feet above sea level, approaching the junction with Utah 25 just ahead. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Westbound Utah 24 meets Utah 25 at this intersection. Utah 25 travels north to Fish Lake and areas of Fishlake National Forest near Mount Marvine (elevation 11,610 feet above sea level). Fish Lake is about seven miles northeast of the turnoff. Near this intersection, Utah 24 curves to the northwest and now travels in a general north-south alignment. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
This mileage sign on westbound Utah 24 after the Utah 25 intersection provides the distance to Richfield (31 miles) and Salina (39 miles). In this vicinity, Utah 24 leaves Wayne County and briefly enters Piute County. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Traveling west on Utah 24, this three-lane section carries the state highway through the northeastern corner of Piute County between Loa and Sigurd (near Richfield). This view is just after the junction with Utah 25 north. Note the three-lane configuration of Utah 24, which offers a middle "suicide" lane for either direction to use for passing. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Utah 24 crosses from Piute to Sevier County. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Going through some scrubby hills as the road continues to descend. The Fishlake Mountains provide a scenic backdrop to the right. The speed limit through here remains 65 miles per hour. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
A frozen lake lies along the east side of the highway as Utah 24 continues northwest parallel to the East Fork of the Sevier River. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
While in the Sevier River valley, the tall Fishlake Mountains to the north and east provide magnificent views. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
After ascending to a 7,320-foot summit, westbound Utah 24 approaches Utah 119, which travels west to Richfield. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
Westbound Utah 24 meets Utah 119 at this intersection. Turn left to Richfield; continue straight ahead to Sigurd and Salina. Photo taken by Kenny Chuck (03/11/07).
