Castle Country's western side, the great Wasatch Plateau, runs north and south and is often referred to as Utah's mountian backbone. Elevations exceed 11,000 feet, and much of the terrain is mountainous and subalpine forest and meadow. Recreation opportunities abound in every season, with many areas accessible by passenger car.

Driving the backways and byways throught the plateau offers stunning vistas, pristine lakes and streams excellent chances for wildlife viewing and opportunities to visit historic mining communites. Well-developed recreation sites range from Scofield Reservoir on the northern end to Huntington Canyon, Joe's Valley and Ferron Reservoir further south. The area is noted for its trout fishing in the summer, hunting in the fall, and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter.