Photo by Martina C. Barnes / U.S. Forest Service via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
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The Flaming Gorge–Uintas National Scenic Byway is an 82-mile paved highway running between Vernal, Utah and the Wyoming border at Manila, traversing Ashley National Forest and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. The route crosses pinyon-juniper desert, climbs into ponderosa and aspen forest, drops along the rim of Red Canyon, and finishes at the Flaming Gorge Dam.
The byway is fully paved and any passenger vehicle handles it year-round, though shoulder-season weather can bring snow at the higher elevations. The route is the anchor scenic drive for the Flaming Gorge region.
Trailhead: 40.92440, -109.42580
- Technical Difficulty
- easy
- Length
- 82 miles
- Direction
- Point to point
- Vehicle
- Paved throughout. Any passenger vehicle handles it.
- Nearest town
- Vernal, Utah
- Terrain
- Paved two-lane mountain highway from Vernal across the Ashley NF to the Wyoming border at Manila.
- Cell coverage
- Spotty in the high country.
- Best months
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Management
- U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management
- Also crosses
- Wyoming
- Trailhead
- 40.92440, -109.42580
Resources
Directions
From Vernal (south access). Take US-191 north out of town. The byway is signed and follows US-191 most of the way, with a brief jog onto SR-44 near Greendale to reach Manila.
From Manila, Utah / Wyoming border (north access). Take SR-44 south from Manila to Greendale, then follow US-191 south to Vernal.
Photos · 2
Getting Oriented
The byway runs between Vernal (on US-191 in northeastern Utah) and the Wyoming border at Manila. Ashley National Forest manages most of the corridor, with Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on the Wyoming end and BLM land at the southern terminus near Vernal. The byway is one of three approaches to Flaming Gorge from the south.
Trail Overview
Eighty-two miles, paved, point-to-point. The byway climbs from Vernal at 5,300 feet through the southern flank of the Uintas, crests near 8,500 feet, then drops along the Red Canyon rim into the Flaming Gorge basin. Multiple overlooks and side roads access campgrounds, fishing access, and the Flaming Gorge Dam visitor center.
Points of Interest
- Red Canyon Overlook. 1,300 feet above the Green River; one of the most photographed views in the state.
- Flaming Gorge Dam. Visitor center and dam tours at the byway's north end.
- Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Scenic backway accessible from the byway.
- Greendale Junction. Major intersection with US-191 to Wyoming.
- Ashley NF campgrounds. Multiple developed sites along the byway.
Where to Camp
Numerous developed campgrounds along the byway: Greendale, Lodgepole, Carmel, Lucerne Valley, and Mustang Ridge among them. Fees apply at all developed sites. Dispersed camping is allowed on Ashley NF land off the main road.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- The byway is paved year-round but shoulder-season storms can bring snow above 8,000 ft.
- Combine with Sheep Creek Loop and Red Cloud Loop for a multi-day Uinta circuit.
- The Flaming Gorge Dam visitor center has current recreation info and is worth a stop.
- Cell service is reliable near Vernal but drops in the high country.
- Watch for elk and deer on the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
Hazards
- Snow at altitude. The high segment can see snow as late as May.
- Wildlife on the road. Elk and deer common at dawn and dusk.
- Cliff overlooks. Use designated pullouts; some are unguarded.
- Heavy summer traffic. Flaming Gorge weekends bring boat trailers and RVs.
- Cell service drops at the higher elevations.