On a recent trip to Flaming Gorge in the fall, we stopped at the Sheep Creek Scenic Byway Interpretive Site. This was where we were told you could spot the Kokanee Salmon swimming upstream to spawn. It is one of our favorite things to see, so we stopped. Unfortunately there were no salmon yet, but we did find a beautiful little interpretive site and trail.
The Sheep Creek Scenic Byway Interpretive Site is not marked with a sign on the main highway 44, but it has a parking area and pit toilets. It is directly across the northern access point for the Sheep Creek Scenic Byway. So you will see the sign for the byway, but instead of turning left onto the road, take a right into the parking area.
There is a short little trail to walk. From the parking area, the trail heads down to Sheep Creek and there is a bridge to cross the creek. There is also an interpretive sign explaining about the Kokanee salmon. This part of the walk is paved.
Then the trail continues in a short loop (only 1/3 mile) along a narrow dirt path through the woods and along the creek. There are signs about the geology and animals in the area all along the trail. The first part follows along the highway, so you hear the cars zipping by, but soon you turn down by the creek and you can enjoy the babbling water.
We didn’t see any wildlife, but this could definitely be a place to see some. The creek is wide and slow and you can see how the salmon would swim upstream here. Soon you will loop back around to where you started. The Sheep Creek Scenic Byway Interpretive Site is a beautiful little stop.
This was one of our favorite stops when we were exploring the Flaming Gorge area. For other ideas, check out our Things to do Near Flaming Gorge post.
