Find a Desert Oasis at Flaming Gorge

Escape the crowds at national parks and use your America the Beautiful pass to unlock a serene landscape filled with adventure at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Straddling the Utah and Wyoming border, this incredible piece of canyon country offers a massive oasis amid red rock cliffs, towering ponderosa pine forests and groves of aspen trees. The huge reservoir boasts 91 miles of water to paddle, boat, fish or swim, plus 360 miles of shoreline with incredible camping, hiking and mountain biking experiences to be had nearby. On the Utah side of the border, this gem stretches from the town of Manila to Dutch John, with boundless fun to be had in between.

Where to Stay at Flaming Gorge

Camp by the water at Flaming Gorge (Photo courtesy Patrick Hendry/Unsplash)

Plan to spend a few days exploring Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area so you can soak up all the natural beauty and adventure. Several full-service resorts offer great places to stay with dining and rentals on site, making it easy to relax and connect with nature. At Dutch John Resort, stay in modern cabins or your RV and take advantage of raft, kayak and paddleboard rentals, plus fishing guides on site. Flaming Gorge Resort has motel rooms and an RV park, plus boat rentals and a full-service restaurant with a huge menu serving both guests and day visitors. Upscale Red Canyon Lodge has newly built cabins, a stocked lake to fish in, horseback riding and rentals, all tucked into a beautiful forest. Don’t miss dinner at the restaurant, serving bison tenderloin, mountain trout and risotto. If it’s a nice evening, a seat on the patio is the pro move.

If you want to pitch your tent, this part of the country has endless opportunities for camping. The Stateline Cove area near Manila offers dispersed beach camping right on the lake. You do need to pay for a site (first come, first served, it’s a good idea to arrive on a Thursday), but there’s vault toilets at the campground and stunning lakefront views. In the heat of the summer, staying at Skull Creek Campground high above the reservoir in a ponderosa pine forest offers cooler temperatures (reserve on Recreation.gov). Along Highway 530 on the Wyoming side of the border, there’s more dispersed camping, though this area is remote so make sure you’re well stocked.

Make a Splash on the Green River or Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Paddling in the calm wake-free “trail” at the Flaming Gorge (Photo courtesy Flaming Gorge Country)

On a warm summer day, there’s nothing better than getting out on the water and Flaming Gorge has a ton of it. All you have to do is choose your speed. From peaceful mornings spent fishing for rainbow trout, or rafting or paddling calm sections of the Green, to motorboating and swimming, there’s no shortage of ways to cool off here.

The reservoir is filled with water from the Green River and just below the dam is some of the most stunning river country in the West. The first stretch of the Green River to Little Hole takeout is great for family rafting. The 7-mile section is called “The Aquarium” because the green waters are so clear you can see rainbow trout swimming past you to depths as great as 15 feet. There are numerous shops that rent rafts for those interested in floating downstream to Little Hole takeout where a pre-arranged shuttle can pick you up.

Above the dam, enjoy beachside activities and boating on the lake. It’s a great spot for motoring around on a hot day, including water skiing and wake surfing (rent boats at Lucerne Marina), but if you’re looking for a human-powered activity, rest assured, you don’t have to worry about waves from motorized boats. There are a number of wakeless paddling trails near the dam, accessed from the Mustang Ridge parking area at Sunny Cove five minutes from Dutch John. This area also has a great beach with a nearby campground. Fifteen minutes from Manila, find another wakeless area at Sheep Creek Overlook, where you can paddle in solitude for a couple miles in canyons that rise anywhere between 100 and 1,000 feet.

If you’d rather sleep on the water, you can also rent a houseboat and spend several days exploring the 91-mile-long reservoir, though this option is very popular and should be booked well in advance.

Hiking, Biking and Scenic Drives Near Flaming Gorge

Explore endless trails at Flaming Gorge (Photo courtesy Flaming Gorge Country)

Don’t let the oasis of the reservoir and river distract you from the incredible land activities that await both near the shore and in the mountains surrounding Flaming Gorge. Whether you’re a hiker, mountain biker, ATV rider or want to hit the trails via horseback, there’s uncrowded paths to discover.

Red Canyon Rim is a favorite of both hikers and bikers, with minimal elevation gain and exceptional views down into Flaming Gorge. You’ll be shocked at the solitude and views that could be a national park in any place besides Utah, where these extraordinary vistas are commonplace. It’s between 2 and 9 miles, depending on which loop you take, and can be accessed from both the Red Canyon Visitor Center and Red Canyon Lodge. The latter rents mountain bikes if you aren’t traveling with your own. Off-roaders will love Finch’s Draw OHV Trail, a 15-20-mile loop traversing fine sand, sandstone, dirt and muddy shores.

While pretty much every road around Flaming Gorge is some sort of scenic drive, Sheep Creek Geological Loop is a favorite. It’s a great place if you’re a geology buff and eager to nerd out at the clearly visible rock layers of the Uinta Fault, but it’s also perfect if you just want to take in awesome scenery. Ranging from pretty creeks framed by fall aspens to looming rock walls, the 10-mile paved loop is a quick and easy drive. Budget plenty of time to stop for photos and maybe a picnic. Keep your eyes out for the area’s namesake bighorn sheep, along with plentiful other wildlife. In the fall, you can spot the bright red Kokanee salmon swimming up river to spawn. It’s a truly wild sight. If you’re looking for a longer drive, combine Sheep Creek with Spirit Lake Scenic Backway, a 17-mile section of Forest Service Road 221 that brings you into the High Uintas. There’s endless opportunities for recreation along here, but if you’re just in it for the scenery, don’t miss a stop at Ute Lookout Tower, a 1930s firetower with panoramic views.

Afterwards, stop in Manila and grab a pint and dinner from the Flaming Gorge Brew Co. featuring Utah craft beer, or order a Utah-famous dirty soda from Sweet and Bubbly.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

The Red Canyon at the Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area (Photo: Deposit)

You’ll find the nicest weather and the majority of cabins, RV parks and campgrounds open between Memorial Day and late September. If you’re looking to get out on the water though, July to mid-September is the best time to visit for warm days that practically demand time on the reservoir or river. That said, it never gets truly hot here. Summer highs average in the 80s, cooling off dramatically at night, so be sure to pack a jacket, especially if you’re camping.

Summer is also a buzzy time to visit thanks to the region’s many events. The Cow Country Rodeo in July brings bull riding and barrel racing to Manila. Over Labor Day Weekend, Daggett Days is a celebration of all things Daggett County including a parade and vendors set up in the park in Manila.

Plan Your Visit

For More Information:
Flaming Gorge Country
(435) 778-0014
flaminggorgecountry.com

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