Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area enjoys multiple areas and activities for entertainment. To fully appreciate Flaming Gorge, visitors should plan on spending time hiking and driving the areas above the gorge and some time on the water -- boating in the gorge or rafting the Green River south of the dam. Look through the tabs below to gain a better idea of how the park is layed out and the best way to approach a visit.
Be aware that dogs must be on a leash in campgrounds, picnic areas, and trailheads at all times. Dogs are not allowed in park buildings, they must be under their owner's control, and cleaned up after.
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We also have the following visitor guides in Utah. Click on any additional guides you would like to receive.
Bear Lake Northern Utah
Bear Lake
Carbon Corridor Central Utah
Carbon Corridor
Davis County Northern Utah
Davis County
Uintah County - Vernal Northeastern Utah
Uintah County - Vernal
Emery County, Utah South Central Utah
Emery County, Utah
Heber Valley North Central Utah
Heber Valley
Zion National Park - North Rim Grand Canyon Southern Utah
Zion National Park - North Rim Grand Canyon
Moab Southeast Utah
Moab
Park City Summer North Central Utah
Park City Summer
Salt Lake North Central Utah
Salt Lake
San Juan County Southeast Utah
San Juan County
Capitol Reef Country Central Utah
Capitol Reef Country
Cedar City & Brian Head Southern Utah
Cedar City & Brian Head
Logan - Cache Valley Northern Utah
Logan - Cache Valley
Box Elder County Northern Utah
Box Elder County
Bryce Canyon Country Southern Utah
Bryce Canyon Country
Utah - Life Elevated Statewide
Utah - Life Elevated
Flaming Gorge Country Northeastern Utah
Flaming Gorge Country
Palisade, Colorado Western
Palisade, Colorado
Visit Moffat County Northwestern Colorado
Visit Moffat County
Park City Winter North Central Utah
Park City Winter
Ski Utah Utah
Ski Utah
Explore Utah Valley Utah
Explore Utah Valley
Visit Ogden - Northern Utah Ogden
Visit Ogden - Northern Utah
Richfield, Utah Central Utah
Richfield, Utah
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- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Canada
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
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- Washington
- Wyoming
Above the Gorge
Hwy 44 and 191 are the park's two main drives. Hwy 44 , from its junction with Hwy 191 at the park's southern border, travels west through pretty pine forests and rolling hills to the town of Manilla. It is the park's most attractive drive with some wonderful views of the gorge, especially Sheep Creek Bay.
The Red Canyon Visitor Center off of Hwy 44 is a must see and is most visitors' first stop. In addition to books, maps, video programs and other information about the park, it provides spectacular views of the gorge and the distant Uinta Mountains. Adjacent to the visitor center is the start of the Canyon Rim Trail which winds east along the rim past a series of great lookouts over the gorge. It is a great introduction to the gorge. (For details on this and other trails, select Hiking.)
Hwy 191 runs along the park's southeastern corner through heavy pine forests, past the Flaming Gorge Lodge, Cedar Springs Marina and numerous campgrounds to the dam. A visitor center there has information about the park and the dam. (Select Attractions for details on the dam.) Just past the dam, a steep narrow road departs Hwy. 191 and winds down to the Green River. It provides good views of the dam and the river. After the dam, Hwy 191 hugs the shore and passes some more lookouts before reaching the town of Dutch John. (Past Dutch John, the highway moves away from the gorge and travels through flat rangeland.)
On Flaming Gorge Lake
Flaming Gorge Lake winds past bright canyon walls from the dam west and then north. As it approaches Wyoming the lake begins to open up. You can cruise about leisurely in a pontoon boat or houseboat, or zip around in a ski boat. Canoes and kayaks can also be rented for exploring the gorge's narrow side canyons. Boaters can stay overnight at several different campgrounds. (Select Camping for details.) There are also a few swimming beaches.
For those desiring someone to handle the driving, scenic tour boats are available. These depart from Cedar Springs Marina and Buckboard Marina. Beneath the dam, the Green River tumbles past forested banks through moderate white water. A stretch of about 7 miles is very popular for rafting and fishing.
