National park · United States
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Go for the water and the canyon rim, not for a summit: drive the Sheep Creek loop and walk the 1.5-mile Canyon Rim Trail from Red Canyon Overlook, or launch a boat at one of five marinas; day-use is free, so pay only for camping, a boat ramp or the dam tour.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
839 km²324 sq mi
approximate
Established
1968
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 839 km²324 sq mi
- About 207,000 acres of land and water, split roughly evenly between Utah and Wyoming (check).
- Established
- 1968
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is a 91-mile reservoir held behind a 1958 dam on the Green River, in a red-walled canyon that straddles the Utah–Wyoming line inside Ashley National Forest. It is Forest Service land, not a national park: there is no entrance gate, day use is free, and the draw is water and canyon rim rather than summits. Five full-service marinas serve boaters, the tailwater below the dam is a blue-ribbon trout fishery, and 43 campgrounds with over 700 sites line roughly 360 miles of shoreline, a few reachable only by boat. The nearest towns are Dutch John and Manila; Vernal is the largest Utah base, about an hour from the dam.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1968.
Size and age
839 km²324 sq mi · national park since 1968
About 207,000 acres of land and water, split roughly evenly between Utah and Wyoming (check).
Why go
- A 91-mile reservoir in a red canyon, with 360 miles of shoreline and five full-service marinas.
- The Green River below the dam is a blue-ribbon trout fishery; the Little Hole Trail follows it on foot.
- The Canyon Rim Trail gives the classic view of Red Canyon in 1.5 miles of easy walking.
- Camping is cheap and plentiful: 43 campgrounds and over 700 sites, some reachable only by boat.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, snow; many services closed
- FebCold; ice on the reservoir
- MarThaw; roads may still be icy
- AprCool; ramps and campgrounds reopen
- MayMild, fewer people than July
- JunWarm; long days; water still cold
- JulHottest and busiest; book campsites
- AugHot; afternoon wind on the water
- SepWarm days, cool nights, quiet ramps
- OctClear and cool; some services close
- NovCold; check what is still open
- DecWinter; limited access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout in the reservoir and the Green RiverApr–Jun, Sep–Oct · The tailwater below the dam fishes year-round. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bighorn sheep and deer on the canyon slopesMay–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Waterfowl and raptors around the reservoirApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Salt Lake City
I-80 east, then WY-414 and UT-43/UT-44 into the gorge.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
From Vernal
US-191 north to Dutch John and the dam.
1–1.5 h
From Rock Springs, Wyoming
US-191 south to the reservoir.
1–1.5 h
From Denver
I-70 west, then CO-13, CO-64 and US-40/US-191 through Vernal.
6.5–7 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Red Canyon and the rim | The red-walled canyon, Canyon Rim Trail and the classic overlooks. | Open; paved road and short walks. |
| Flaming Gorge Dam and Dutch John | Dam, visitor facilities, the Green River tailwater and the Little Hole Trail. | Open; dam tours seasonal. |
| Sheep Creek and the Uintas side | Geological loop drive, forest roads and higher country toward Vernal. | Open; some roads seasonal. |
| Reservoir arms and marinas | Five marinas, boat ramps and boat-only campgrounds. | Open; ramps may close in winter. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day use (driving, overlooks, trails) | Free | vehicle | No entrance gate or per-person fee for the recreation area itself (check). |
| Campground night, standard site | US$15–30 | site | 2026 estimate; varies by campground and season. |
| Boat ramp day use | US$5–15 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; some marinas charge separately (check). |
| Flaming Gorge Dam tour | US$0–5 | person | Seasonal and limited capacity; confirm at the visitor centre (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Recreation area entry no permit
Green River below the dam no permit
Boat camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Use designated campgrounds or boat-in sites; primitive camping rules vary by land manager.
- Fires
- Follow current fire restrictions; they change with the season.
- Boating
- Obey state and federal rules for both Utah and Wyoming waters; equipment rules differ by state.
- River craft
- Only approved craft on the Green River; the Dinosaur National Monument stretch needs a permit.
Where to stay
In the park
Campgrounds around the reservoir
43 campgrounds and over 700 sites, from full-service to boat-only.
Near the park
Dutch John and Manila
Lodges, motels and services closest to the dam and the marinas.
Near the park
Vernal
The largest town on the Utah side, about an hour from the dam.
Safety
Cold water high
High wind on the water medium
Remote roads medium
Accessibility
- The overlooks and the Canyon Rim Trail are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- Marinas and the dam area have paved access; boat ramps and back roads are not suitable for all vehicles.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out rubbish; shoreline sites have limited services.
- Keep boats and trailers clean and drained between waters to limit invasive species.
- Respect seasonal closures around wildlife and nesting areas.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area?
There is no entrance gate and no per-person fee to drive in, use the overlooks or walk the trails. You pay for camping (roughly USD 15–30 a night, 2026 estimate), some boat ramps, and the seasonal dam tour. A national park pass does not apply here because this is Forest Service land, not a national park.
What are the best hikes in Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area?
The Canyon Rim Trail is the easy classic: about 1.5 miles from Red Canyon Overlook to Greendale Overlook. The Little Hole Trail follows the Green River below the dam and is flat and shaded in parts. Longer forest trails run off the Uintas side; ask at a visitor centre before setting out.
When is the best time to visit Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area?
May, June, September and October give mild days, open services and smaller crowds. July and August are hottest and busiest, so reserve campsites early. Winter closes many ramps and services.
Do I need a pass or permit?
No pass for day use. A permit is needed only for the Green River stretch inside Dinosaur National Monument, and boat-in campsites should be checked or reserved in advance.
Can I swim in the reservoir?
People do, but the water stays cold even in summer heat. Wear a life jacket, watch for wind, and keep children close to shore.
Where should I stay near Flaming Gorge?
Campgrounds ring the reservoir, including sites reachable only by boat. Dutch John and Manila have lodges and motels closest to the dam; Vernal is the largest base on the Utah side.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go