Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway

Take the longer path that explores all that Flaming Gorge has to offer. This scenic byway traverses a wide variety of landscapes along the way, from the high desert plains of Wyoming to upper elevations of the High Uinta Mountains in Utah.

The byway encircles Lake Flaming Gorge, crosses lush forests and the vast canyons carved by the Green River and travels down through geologic layers of time on the way to the Uintah Basin of Utah.

Sweetwater County, located halfway between Yellowstone and Canyonlands National Parks in southwest Wyoming, is home to 10,500 square miles of pure, high desert adventure. Known as “Flaming Gorge Country” the area is characterized by the 91square-mile Flaming Gorge Lake, the Green River, expansive deserts and rugged mountains.

Marvel at stunning rock formations, an expansive lake and abundant wildlife on a scenic drive through southwest Wyoming and northern Utah. One of 37 of the nation’s designated All-American Roads, the Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway is a 160-mile drive starting in Rock Springs and ending in Green River. From Rock Springs, the journey begins at Exit 99 off I-80, following U.S. Highway 191 south through the high desert country. Vast and untouched landscapes unfold which are home to large herds of pronghorn antelope, wild horses, mule deer and many species of raptors.

Sweetwater County boasts wide-open vistas and views at every turn. Ramble across the same high deserts and rugged mountains that were once traversed by Native Americans, mountain men, pioneers and even outlaws. Scenic overlooks allow many opportunities to stretch your legs. Highways 191 and 530 encircling Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area are designated state scenic byways.

In addition to the notorious untamed horses of Wyoming, big game animals like moose, elk, deer, antelope and big-horn sheep also roam free. The Flaming Gorge-Green River Basin Scenic Byway is accessible from the towns of Green River and Rock Springs via Interstate 80. The 160-mile loop dips into

The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is justly famous for world-class flyfishing, rafting and daily guided fishing trips.

For those with less time on their hands, the one day rafting trip through Split Mountain Canyon in Dinosaur National Monument is a perfect adventure! This 9-mile float is rich in scenery and has just enough whitewater to add a little excitement.

As you cross the bridge over the railroad tracks, you are crossing a major historic transportation corridor. During pioneer times, this was part of the famous Overland Stage Trail, a vital route across the Wild West. In the late 1860s, the Transcontinental Railroad was built along the same corridor.

The Big Firehole Turnout is a paved 10-mile road offering the northern-most access to Lake Flaming Gorge. The unique chimney formations have been carved by wind and water erosion. Big Firehole offers a boat launch, camping, restrooms and lakeside picnic facilities. Several unmarked turnouts on the east side of Lake Flaming Gorge offer sweeping views of Clay Basin, where you can see more than 60 miles into Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. This area has the highest

concentration of raptors (Hawks, Falcons, Eagles and Vultures) in the lower 48 states. Clay Basin also serves as a major underground storage facility for the numerous natural gas wells in the region.

Outlaw Country

At Minnie’s Gap, the road to the east travels 20 miles on paved and graded roads to historic Browns Park. Its remote location along three state borders attracted many outlaws, and Browns Park became a major way station on the Outlaw Trail. Its most famous residents were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, although a colorful list of others like Matt Warner, Tom Horn, Queen Ann and Josie Bassett, and Mexican Joe Herrera added to its notorious fame. Today, the charm of Browns Park is that little has changed from those frontier years, although fly rods have replaced six guns for most of its visitors.

A splendid view of the lake awaits you at this byway pullout. The colorful red cliffs across the lake inspired early explorer John Wesley Powell to name the area Flaming Gorge.

The Flaming Gorge Dam & Reservoir Overlook is just around the corner on this short paved road. The waters before you are 300 to 400 feet deep! Many

stationary boats you see are likely seeking the state’s record-breaking lake trout that prosper in these waters.

Take A Free Tour

Don’t miss Flaming Gorge’s premier Visitor Center at Flaming Gorge Dam. Interpretive displays of the area and free dam tours can be enjoyed year round. Enjoy the newly constructed picnic facilities, boat dock and fishing pier located at the other end of the parking area.

Greendale Junction is the intersection of U.S. Highway 191 and UT Highway 44. From here, a choice needs to be made… south on U.S. Highway 191 continues to Vernal, Utah and the land of dinosaurs. North on UT Highway 44 leads to historic Green River, Wyoming. Either direction is packed with scenic wonders and countless recreational opportunities.

Running between Vernal and Manila on U.S. Highway 191 and Utah Highway 44, the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway climbs foothills and major geological formations, reaching the one billion-year-old exposed core of the Uinta Mountains near Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

For this portion of the tour, head north on UT Highway 44.

The Red Canyon Visitor Center is located on a rocky point, 1,700 feet above the lake as it winds through this deep canyon. Stunning overlooks are plentiful here any time of year.

As you travel north, you will reach the town of Green River, Wyoming and Expedition Island, where John Wesley Powell began his voyage of exploration down the uncharted waters of the Green and Colorado Rivers. Today, visitors can enjoy trails, swimming, kayaking and picnicking at this idyllic site. This is your last stop on the Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway.

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