It's 46 miles from Vernal to the
village of Manila, a northward route
which takes us past the Red Canyon of the Green
River -- the "Flaming Gorge". Running north from
Vernal, on U.S. Highway 191, this drive passes
through striking geologic formations including
the "Red Fleet" buttes, and then climbs
through the Uinta foothills to reach the plateau
from which you can gaze down into the stratified
gorge which is filled with the rich red color of
the rock of the area.
Vernal,
at the southern end of the drive, is a city with
a full range of visitor services. Dinosaur
National Monument is located a few miles
east of town, just inside the Colorado border.
An early visit to the Ashley National
Forest ranger station in the city will aid
in your appreciation of what is to follow on the
drive
Along the Way
The Red Fleet
The route passes across flat land to the
Red Fleet Reservoir. A series of geology
markers point out the unique formations along
the route.
Just before reaching Red Fleet, the highway
passes the Steinaker Reservoir, part of
the Colorado River Storage Project. Beside the
road at this point is a hillside where the
Morrison Formation is on display, where dinosaur
bones and gizzard stones are found. The state
park at the reservoir has camping facilities and
fishing for bass and trout. The park is located
on the west side of the lake.
At the ten-mile point, there is a west turn
to the Red Fleet Recreation Area. The
landscape is covered with sage and juniper
trees, providing a winter range for deer and
elk. Here, one can see the huge red sandstone
buttes, the "Red Fleet" -- resembling tall ships
-- from which the reservoir gets its name. There
is a boat ramp and campsites have recently been
constructed. As highway 191 climbs through the
foothills, on a series of ten switchbacks, there
are good views of the buttes "sailing" through
the reservoir. A turnoff at mile 15 leads to the
Red Fleet dam, which holds back Big Brush Creek.
There's a foot trail to the top of the ridge (at
mile 21) with views of the dam, reservoir and
the dramatic terrain which is at once forlorn
and awe inspiring.
To Flaming Gorge Dam & Dutch John
There are no services along this part of the
route, but several picnic areas provide places
for lunch. The drive continues across the high
plateau with the summit at 8,428 feet. The
junction of highways 191 and 44, at mile 35,
provides choices -- to continue on 191 to visit
the Flaming Gorge Dam and recreation
sites on the eastern shore of Flaming Gorge
Lake, or to take Utah Highway 44 to the Red
Canyon.
The dam features a self-guided tour, an
elevator to the base of the 490-foot dam and the
power house, and an information center for the
recreation area. Ten miles north of the dam is
Antelope Flat, with views of the canyon.
There's also a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Nearby, the village of Dutch John is home
to the project staff and includes a store and
cafe. Just north of the dam is Cedar Springs
Marina with boat rentals and scenic cruises.
Rafting on the river below the dam is popular
with visitors with a half-day float to Little
Hole and a full day to reach Brown's Park.
The Flaming Gorge
The main attractions of the Flaming
Gorge National Recreation Area lie along
Highway 44, between the Hwy. 191 junction and
Manila. There are several campgrounds located
along Hwy. 44 including the Red Canyon
Campground, located next to the major canyon
overlook, with a second information center at
the overlook. Accommodations are available at
Red Canyon Lodge, also located on Red
Canyon Road.
The quiet waters of the Green River are seen
1,500 feet below the rim and the visitor center
-- open during summer months -- includes
displays of local plant and animal life.
Back on Highway 44, the drive passes two
picnic areas at Dowd Spring. One is
located on the highway. A hilltop sideroad leads
to a stunning overlook with more picnic
tables.
Sheep Creek Canyon
Red Canyon provides one scenic highlight.
Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Area
provides another. This area, on a loop sideroad,
presents an impressive array of twisted rock,
tall hoodoos and upturned formations. There are
picnic areas beside the loop road and a marker
commemorates an early homesteader, Cleophus
Dowd, who farmed near the canyon in the late
1800s and was killed in a violent argument with
his partner. A small cabin stands near the
marker.
Emerging from the canyon, the loop road joins
Highway 44 for a short drive north to
Manila.
Along the Lake to Green River
The drive continues north on Highway 44,
passing through the green Lucerne Valley
where there is a spur road to the lake and a
marina with camp sites for tents and RVs. Gas
and other services are available at the
marina.
The route continues through the desert, with
frequent sideroads leading to the shore of
Flaming Gorge Lake. There are boat ramps
at the end of these roads and several lake-side
campsites are accessible only by boat. There is
a car campground at Buckboard Crossing, near the
north end of the lake via Buckboard Road.
After crossing Black Fork Bridge, there is a
backroad which leads to the confluence of the
Black Fork and Green rivers.
Green
River, Wyoming is the end of this drive.
It's a town with full visitor services, located
west of Rock Springs. The Old Stage Station in
Green River is a national historic site.
Interstate 80 is the major highway which links
the cities of southern Wyoming to the Salt Lake
region.
Alternate Route to Rock Springs
You may want to take the eastern route,
driving north along the east side of Flaming
Gorge Reservoir (Highway 191), ending your trip
at the town of Rock Springs. This is a minig and
rancing town, on Interstate 80, a few miles east
of Green River. Several sideroads lead from the
route to the reservoir, offering more boating
opportunities.
