The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is located in Daggett County in northeastern Utah and Sweetwater County in southwestern Wyoming. The recreation area includes the 91-mile-long Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which has 350 miles of shoreline. In Daggett County, the areas within Ashley National Forest include wooded mountain landscapes with lakes, trails, and dispersed camping. The themes here range from water and forest to geology and history.
Landscapes and Activities
Activities at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area include hiking, fishing, camping, boating, and wildlife watching. The areas within Ashley National Forest also combine mountain landscapes with lakes and trails; dispersed camping is another option described there. Those planning a stay around scenery and activities can therefore consider different focal points rather than narrowing the region to just one activity.
The Flaming Gorge Reservoir is described by two specific measurements: it is 91 miles long and has 350 miles of shoreline. The Flaming Gorge Dam offers a different point of interest: The dam is 502 feet high and is built as a thin-arch concrete structure. These different measurements give the reservoir and the dam their own distinct geographic and structural reference points.
Routes Through Canyon, Geology, and Forest
The stated lengths apply to different types of routes. The Little Hole National Recreation Trail is 7 miles long and runs from Flaming Gorge Dam to the Little Hole Day-Use Area. It passes through the bottom of Red Canyon and along a major sport fishing area. The Sheep Creek Geologic Loop is a 10-mile section of Forest Service Road 218 and passes through the center of the Uinta Crest Fault. Viewpoints along the route offer opportunities to spot Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Another landscape can be seen along the 17-mile Spirit Lake Scenic Backway: The route passes through dense conifer forests and meadows and provides access to mountain fishing, hiking, backpacking, ATV riding, and camping.
For geological discoveries, consider Red Canyon Overlook in Daggett County, which offers a view spanning more than 600 million years of Earth’s history. The difference between this and the routes is clear: Here, the geological time span is the focus, while Sheep Creek combines geology with viewpoints and an opportunity to observe wildlife. By contrast, the canyon and sport fishing area shape the route description for Little Hole Trail.
River History and Pioneer Sites
Brown’s Park was settled by John Jarvie in 1880. He operated a ferry across the Green River, as well as a store and a post office there. John Jarvie Historic Ranch has paved walkways to most of its historic buildings. Indian Crossing Campground is located on the Green River beside the historic ranch’s day-use area and has 20 individual campsites and one group site.
Swett Ranch also represents the history of pioneer homesteads and the self-sufficiency and ingenuity of Utah’s pioneers. The Forest Service purchased the ranch in 1972 and subsequently developed it into a working historic site. Cultural traces in the Diamond Breaks Wilderness Study Area date back further: It contains rock art, granaries, rock shelters, and scattered lithic artifacts associated with prehistoric and historic periods of occupation. The study area extends into Daggett County in Utah and offers opportunities for photography, nature and wildlife watching, hiking, and backpacking.
Visitor Information
There is no entrance fee for Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. However, a Recreation Use Pass is required at all major boat launches and at Little Hole National Recreation Trail below the dam. The pass information is relevant when planning a visit to any of these locations.
Discover more destinations: Red Canyon, Carbon, Weber, Summit, San Juan County, Iron, Box Elder County, Hanover County.
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