Things to do around Flaming Gorge

Hikes

We love to hike! So the first thing we do is figure out what trails we can explore. We found six trails that are great for families. Some are so short that they are more like a walk. Click on each hike for more details.

• Little Hole Trail
• Bear Canyon Trail
• Moose Pond
• Green Lake Interpretive Trail
• Red Canyon Rim Trail
• Sheep Creek Scenic Interpretive Site

Sheep Creek Geologic Loop/Scenic Byway

WOW! This was one of our favorite things we did while driving around Flaming Gorge. This drive begins and ends off of Highway 44 and is 13 miles long. The road is paved the entire way and there are gorgeous views of the cool geological features in the area. We stopped to take lots of pictures, and we also took a side drive over to the Ute Mountain Fire Lookout Tower (more info on that below).

Ute Mountain Fire Lookout Tower

This is the first lookout tower to be built in Utah with living quarters above ground, and now it is the last one standing. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can no longer climb to tour the tower, but you can still enjoy the grounds. There is an old outhouse and garden area, plus seeing the tower is pretty amazing. We enjoyed this detour, and there were picnic tables if you’d like to plan a snack or lunch.

The tower is located 2.5 miles west of Sheep Creek Geologic Loop. Take the turn off towards Spirit Lake, or FS 221, and stay to the right. Travel 1 mile on this road, and then turn left onto FS 55. This road to the tower is unpaved and very narrow. You’ll come to the tower in 1.3 miles. It is the end of the road, so you can’t miss it.

Flaming Gorge Dam & Visitor Center

If you visit Flaming Gorge, make sure to stop and look at the Flaming Gorge Dam that creates this reservoir from the Green River. There is a small visitor center that is only open in the summer, so it was not open when we visited. You can view the top of the dam and the reservoir from the parking area, and you can also walk a short path over to look at the dam. There is an elevator if you are unable to use the stairs. The path crosses the road and comes over where you can see the dam and the Green River coming out into the canyon. It is a great view. You can also drive across the dam, and you probably will on your adventures in the area.

Swim Beach

When we visited Flaming Gorge, it was Fall, so the weather wasn’t really right for swimming, but we discovered this awesome beach on our way to a fishing spot. It is flat and open, and there was a little bit of sand. It would be a great place to visit in the summer to splash in the nice waters of Flaming Gorge.

To find Swim Beach, take Highway 43 out of Manilla, Utah, which becomes Highway 530 when you cross into Wyoming. Then turn on the Lucerne Valley Road. Follow this road down until you see the sign for Swim Beach. Take a left onto the road and the beach is just a short drive. You crossed back into Utah as you came down the Lucerne Valley Road.

John Jarvie Historic Ranch

One of the first adventures we ever did was to drive out to John Jarvie Historic Ranch. It is quite a ways out of town, but we made the drive only to find none of the buildings were open. We still walked around the ranch and enjoyed the gorgeous area. We have not been back to check it out, but they have better information now. It is only open May 1 through the end of September on Thursdays-Saturdays from 10 am – 3 pm. If you love historic spots, this is a fun visit. The road is dirt and bumpy, so plan on a good half day excursion.