Flaming Gorge
While the "Mighty 5" National Parks command the spotlight, northern Utah holds a spectacular secret. Straddling the Utah-Wyoming border, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is a true hidden gem for motorcyclists and campers. Here, the Green River has carved a colossal canyon system of brilliant red, orange, and green rock, now filled with the deep turquoise waters of a 91-mile-long reservoir.
At a Glance
Distance: 4.5 hours, 225 miles from Salt Lake City
Time Budget: 2-3 days to ride the roads around the Gorge and explore Vernal.
Best Riding: April to September
The Ride
Depending on where you begin your ride, you'll need to make your way to Vernal. From Salt Lake City, we suggest riding up Parleys Canyon past Park City, then taking UT-35 southeast out of Woodland/Kamas. This is a windy country road that follows the south fork of the Provo River and is an especially scenic ride in autumn.
The scenery will become more barren as you reach Tabiona and Duchesne. Continue east on US-40 until you reach Vernal. This is a good place to stock up on supplies and cheap gas.
Riding north from Vernal on US-191, you'll climb up the Uinta Mountains on the "Drive Through the Ages" scenic byway. The highway is marked with signs showing the different layers of geological history you're riding through. You'll top out around 8,400 feet, quickly leaving the desert behind for thick pine forests. The road has great banked sweepers and some tight switchbacks that are a blast to ride before you drop back down to the water.
Once you hit the Gorge, the views are incredible with red cliffs rising straight out of the water. Make sure to ride across the 502-foot Flaming Gorge Dam and check out the visitor center. Just below the dam, the Green River runs cold and clear, a contrast to the red desert rocks above.
Head east across the Colorado border to visit Dinosaur National Monument, or ride Harpers Corner Road. It's a paved, 31-mile ridge-line ride with awesome views of the canyons below. On the Utah side of the monument, park your bike and walk through the Quarry Exhibit Hall to see a giant cliff face packed with fossilized dinosaur bones.
The area is loaded with great camping, from developed marinas to quiet mountain spots in the Ashley National Forest.
Red Canyon Campground: Sits right on the canyon rim under the pine trees. It's a short walk from your tent to a 1,400-foot drop down to the water.
Mustang Ridge & Lucerne Valley: Great developed campsites right on the reservoir if you want to camp close to the water's edge.
Dispersed Camping: There is tons of free dispersed camping in the surrounding national forest. Just point your bike down almost any designated Forest Service road to find a quiet spot. One of my favorite areas to dispersed camp is the area around Dowd Mountain, where you'll get a great overhead view of the river and Gorge below you.
Watch for Wildlife: Lots of deer, elk, and moose up here. Keep your speed down, especially at dawn, dusk, and night.
Pack Layers: Temperatures swing wildly. You can easily go from 90 degrees in Vernal to 50 degrees at the top of the mountain pass.
Gas Up Early: Top off your tank in Vernal, Manila, or Dutch John. Don't rely on the marinas since their hours can be seasonal.
Tips
Itinerary
Option 1: Loop the Gorge (3 days)
Day 1: Salt Lake City to Vernal: Depart Salt Lake City via UT-35 over Wolf Creek Pass, and ride through Tabiona and Duchesne to reach Vernal. Spend the afternoon exploring the giant fossil wall at the Dinosaur National Monument quarry, and camp at a site near the Gorge.
Day 2: The Loop Around the Gorge: Head north from Vernal on US-191 up the Drive Through the Ages switchbacks to cross the Flaming Gorge Dam. Loop around the reservoir through Wyoming and cut back south on UT-44, stopping at the Red Canyon overlook before heading back down the mountain. Treat yourself to a nice dinner at Abby's Cafe in downtown Vernal and a hotel room for the night
Day 3: Return to SLC
Option 2: South Gorge Out & Back (2 days)
Day 1: SLC to Vernal to the South Gorge Rim: Head north from Vernal on US-191 straight to the south rim of the Gorge. Spend the afternoon riding the sweepers along UT-44 to the Red Canyon overlook, then ride down a dirt Forest Service road to camp near Dowd Mountain.
Day 2: Canyons & Deep Gorges: Catch the morning sun hitting the red cliffs at the dam, then head east over the Colorado border to ride the paved, 31-mile ridge line of Harpers Corner Road. Take in the massive canyon views before pointing the bike toward US-40 for the ride home.
Images
Amenities
Fuel: Available in Vernal, Manila, Dutch John, and Green River WY.
Eat: Grab standard fast food and local diners in Vernal or Manila. For a sit-down meal closer to the water, check out the floating Snag Bar & Grill at Cedar Springs Marina, the restaurant at Red Canyon Lodge, or the steakhouse in Dutch John.
Restrooms: Public restrooms and pit toilets are located at the major overlooks, boat launches, and visitor centers throughout the recreation area.
Stay: Plenty of classic motels, chain hotels, and local Airbnbs can be found in Vernal and Manila. If you want to stay right at the Gorge, Red Canyon Lodge offers cozy log cabins, and Dutch John Resort has cabin rentals available.
Camping: The Ashley National Forest manages dozens of developed campgrounds in the area, including Red Canyon, Mustang Ridge, and Lucerne Valley, which can be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov. Free dispersed camping is incredibly easy to find on the surrounding Forest Service roads, particularly around Dowd Mountain.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Website
Page Header: Courtesy of Dagget County Tourism/Utah Office of Tourism
All other images: Original photography by Utah Touring