Flaming Gorge NRA
The North - Utah
Flaming Gorge NRA - Red Canyon
Description: You can find the Flaming Gorge NRA in either Wyoming or northern Utah. Since we only visited the part in Utah, we have placed it in this area. The National Recreation Area is mainly formed by the huge reservoir created by damming the Green River. In addition to some impressive views of the canyon and the reservoir, there are plenty of recreational activities around the water. One of the best places to take a look at the reservoir and the canyon can be found around the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Here you will find several short trails that lead visitors along the canyon and offer many opportunities to pause and take in the view.
Our rating: Unfortunately, we didn't really have much time to explore the area during our visit at the end of May 2023. Even though the weather wasn't really ideal, the views were still very spectacular. So we think it's worth making a little detour here even if you don't have much time. We spent about two hours in the recreation area and were able to get a pretty good initial overview.
Flaming Gorge Dam
Description: The Flaming Gorge Dam, established in 1964, dams up the Green River to form the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. It is not only used to generate electricity but also for drinking water supply and flood protection. The dam is 502ft high and 131ft wide. The adjacent visitor center provides everything you need to know about the dam and the reservoir.
Our rating: It may be due to the poor weather, but we didn't found the dam very spectacular. We liked the view of the entire landscape before you reach the actual dam much better. From our point of view, you can make a short stop if you pass it directly, but we wouldn't take a detour to do so.
