Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway in Northeast Utah

The Flaming Gorge Byway circles the 91-mile-long Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The byway is spread over three highways in the state of Utah and Wyoming and covers miles of rugged and varied vistas, from the barren desert plains of Wyoming to climbing the foothills in Utah's Ashley National Forest and around major geological formations. Along the byway are fifteen pullouts with interpretive signs with explanations of the gorge over 1,000's of years in the making.

To create the reservoir the Flaming Gorge Dam was constructed in the mid 1900's. The highway across the dam sits 455 feet above the river channel with another 47 feet below the river bed anchored in bedrock. The reservoir reaches depths of over 400 feet with world-class trophy fishing and boating.

Along the byway, one will find many side roads which leads deeper into the canyons, as well as access points to the reservoir. The 13-mile Sheep Creek Geological Loop off of highway 44 drops down into the canyon floor and winds through dramatic geological formations, where spectacular rock spires line this back way drive along the Uinta fault. Along the upper part of the loop on the North slope of the Uinta Mountains the fault is clearly visible in the extremely twisted rock layers. Just three miles off Highway 44 at 7,300 feet is the Red Canyon Visitor Center and overlook, where the visitor center is perched right on the cliffs edge 1,300 feet above the surface of the water. An easy walking trail leads to several rim viewpoints displaying the gorges massive size at 4,000 feet across.

Three miles down a well graded dirt road off US 191 is the old homestead of Oscar Swett, now on the register of National Historic Sites. In 1909 Oscar built a one room cabin for his family and three years latter built a two-room cabin where his wife and six kids lived for the next ten years. In 1929 Oscar constructed a more modern five-room house for his family. This ranch displays what it was like living in the early 1900's in a remote and rugged part of the West, where Oscar farmed right through the 1940's with only horse powered equipment. In addition, there is a chicken coop, horse barn, root cellar, and a work shop on display.

With Dinosaur National Monuments straddling two states, and with 90% of the park being wilderness country, what can be seen in each state is different. The Utah section contains one of the world's richest dinosaur beds and includes the Quarry exhibit where over 1,500 bones are in-bedded in rock located just behind the visitor center. The 12-mile Cub Creek Road through the Utah side of the park passes by Split Mountain where the Green River cut through the mountain instead of taking the easier path around the mountain. Several stops along the highway are petroglyphs dating back hundreds of years. The last few miles are over a narrow dirt road and ends where Josephine Morris, a local legend and an alleged associate of the outlaw Butch Cassidy, decided to build a cabin and live as a pioneer.

For more history, visit John Jarvie Property in Browns Park. In 1880 John choose this location to start a business due to the natural crossing of the Green River which had been used for years by the Indians, Fur Traders, and travelers. John and his wife built and lived in a small 2-room dugout in the side of the hill for the first year while he built his general store with a larger home attached. Later the dugout was used as a hideout for outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, Ann Bassett, and Matt Warner. The stone house on the property was built by outlaw John, which a few years later was hung right next to the stone house for murder. Unfortunately, John Jarvie was robbed and murdered in 1909 by two outlaws which was never captured. Located on the property is the Blacksmith shop, horse stables, chicken coop, and ice shed which was built by John.

Since my wife and I started camping we have discovered that camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors and to experience what mother nature and North America has to offer. One of the joys of camping is having all your home essentials with you. explorenorthamericawithusBesides, what better way to meet new and exciting people than by camping.