Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

Dutch John, UT – The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is located in the northeast corner of Utah and the southwest corner of Wyoming. It is South of I-80, between Green River and Rock Springs, Wyoming and extends into the Uintah Mountains towards Vernal, Utah. The area was given the name “Flaming Gorge” by John Wesley Powell during his 1869 expedition down the Green River, due to the spectacular, gorgeous red sandstone cliffs that surround this part of the river. The recreation centerpiece of the area is the 91 miles long Flaming Gorge Reservoir that was created by the 1964 construction of the Flaming Gorge Dam across the Green River. Recreation opportunities include: fishing, hiking, rafting, mountain biking, boating and camping. National Geographic Trails Illustrated offers a Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Map.

Flaming Gorge is about 1,700 feet deep

We toured part of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area with Mike’s parents in July 2017. We combined this with a trip to the Dinosaur National Monument, which is less than an hour south. The town of Vernal Utah, where we have stayed at the Vernal KOA is 24 miles south of the Recreation Area. The recreation area’s northwestern section near Manila Utah is about 22 miles south of Rock Springs Wyoming. We have also stayed at the Rock Springs KOA. Many people drive a loop around the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area using Routes 191, 44 and 530. We took note of hiking, dispersed camping, and campgrounds in the Recreation Area and the nearby Ashley National Forest, as this is an area we want to explore further.

View from the Antelope Flat Boat Launch parking lot

We started our tour at the Visitor Center at the dam. We learned about the construction of the dam on the Green River, which created today’s reservoir. There are dam tours available for a small fee. There is a small gift shop and staff who can help orient you to the region. We were impressed that Lonnie Anderson narrated and starred in the Recreational Area video. Pick up one of the free maps which will show you all of the campgrounds and overlooks.

View of the dam on the Green River from the dam overlook

We checked out the Antelope Flat area and the overlook over the dam. At Antelope Flat there is a boat launch and primitive campground which had some good sized fifth wheels in it. We saw jackrabbits and an osprey nest. There is also a view of the Flaming Gorge.

View of the Flaming Gorge’s famous sandstone red walls from Antelope Flat

Another view of the region from Antelope Flat

Osprey nest near Antelope Flat Boat Launch

I spotted this lizard at the dam overlook

The reservoir from the dam overlook

The Red Canyon Visitor Center is a must see. The building was constructed to showcase the gorgeous Flaming Gorge. There were displays on early people in the region, including Native American and early settlers. They also had a display about the region’s wildlife. There is a short trail along the rim of the Flaming Gorge with great overlooks. On our drive into the Red Canyon Visitor Center, we saw several bighorn sheep and mule deer.