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Trail connects area above Tibble Fork to top of Alpine Loop.

Tibble Fork

Topside view of Tibble Fork, looking east

Tibble Fork Reservoir is located on the North Fork of the Americal Fork River. Click here for map. It's reached via American Fork Canyon. (There's a fee to enter the canyon.) Water clarity is surprisingly good for a small reservoir, but the lake is always crowded with shore fishermen. Altitude is 6,400 feet.

Picture: Bruce Argyle, Aug 20, 1998.

There's a parking area on the north side of the lake, about 200 yards past the dam. But the best diving is on the south side of the lake. (The north side is mossy and shallow -- but there's no easy shore access from the south side.) Plan on a brief surface swim, long hike, or quick inflatable boat ride to the south shore.

The water: Water temperature is about 62 degrees in mid-summer, with a mild thermocline at around 12 feet. Visibility is around 15 feet. But because the lake is small, runoff from heavy rains can drop the visibility to 4-5 feet overnight. (If you can't clearly see the edge of the yellow moss about 100 feet from the north shore and the green moss off the south shore from the parking lot, the visibility is poor.) This lake freezes early, often in late September. Mornings and evenings are very cool, so be prepared.

Trout caught in mid-water What to see: Tibble Fork's water is a deep turquoise blue. The lake is well stocked with fish. Move slowly and control your bubbling, and the trout will cruise by about 5 feet away from you. The brilliant green moss along the southern (far) shore makes this a pretty dive.

Picture: A rainbow trout eyeballs the diver.
Bruce Argyle, Nikonos V 35 mm lens, 2 YS-50 strobes
Our Recommendation: Gear up on the shore just down from the parking area. Surface swim 150 yards over to the south side and drop down to eyeball the trout. Cruise along the edge of the moss as it drops off towards the bottom. Move slowly to avoid spooking the fish.

Picture: A baby hides in the weeds of the north shore.
Bruce Argyle, Nikonos V w closeup lens, 2 YS-50 strobes

Small fish along moss edge

Be courteous! Don't get in the way of those who are fishing as you enter the water. Even though there are no motorboats on the lake, you should mark your "water entry" point (away from fishing families, if possible) with a dive float or flag. Spearfishing is not allowed in Tibble Fork.

10 miles of advanced-level biking! Click for info. Fees: It costs $3 to enter American Fork Canyon. Season passes are available.
Services: There are bathrooms near the parking area. Camping is up the road 1.5 miles at Granite Flat. For air fills, visit Water World in Orem's University Mall.

Just up the south fork road.
Just over the Alpine Loop from Tibble Fork Exposure: Tibble Fork is comfortable with a farmer john, jacket, hood, and gloves.

Getting there: Click here for map. Take the Alpine/Highland exit from I-15, about 15 miles south of Salt Lake just after the freeway drops down from the hill. Go straight east to American Fork Canyon. From the mouth of the canyon, drive 5 miles to the fork in the road. Turn left to follow the North Fork of the river. Two miles later, you're at Tibble Fork.