Flaming Gorge: Hiking, Camping and an Unexpected Utah Adventure

Flaming Gorge wasn’t part of our original travel plans. Then again, by this point in our trip, very little was.

After abandoning our three-week Idaho road trip because of snow and cold weather, Gail and I had adopted a new travel strategy: go wherever the snow isn’t.

That strategy had already taken us through Wyoming and northern Utah, where we hiked mountain trails, explored Antelope Island and spent several days letting the weather determine where Alice, our Winnebago Sprinter van, would take us next.

After leaving Spruces Campground near Salt Lake City, we headed east on I-80. By the time we reached Lyman, Wyoming, we were at another crossroads.

If we stayed on I-80, we would begin the long drive home to Missouri. Or we could turn south toward the mountains and keep the adventure going.

We turned south.

We didn’t know it yet, but that turn would eventually lead us to Flaming Gorge, where we watched a beautiful sunset from our campsite at Lucerne Campground, hiked five miles along the rim of Red Canyon, ate lunch beside Green Lake and stood in awe of the massive Flaming Gorge Dam.

Arriving at Flaming Gorge and Camping at Lucerne Campground

By the time we arrived at Flaming Gorge, it was getting late in the day, and we needed to find somewhere to eat and sleep.

We continued south on Highway 414 to Manila, Utah, then turned onto Highway 44 and entered Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Our first stop was Lucerne Campground, located along the shore of the reservoir.

The campground was only about half full, so we found a campsite overlooking the lake, plugged Alice into the 30-amp electrical hookup and settled in for the evening. Our site had electricity but no water or sewer hookups, although potable water and a dump station were available within the campground.

After dinner, I could tell the conditions were setting up for a beautiful sunset. Scattered showers were moving through the area, but patches of blue sky and clouds hung above the reservoir.

I grabbed my camera and took a short walk toward the shore.

Sometimes, you can just tell when a good sunset is coming.

This one didn’t disappoint.

Red Canyon Overlook: Our First Look at Flaming Gorge

The next morning, we talked with another camper who recommended that we drive to the Red Canyon Visitor Center and overlook. We didn’t have a detailed plan for the day, so we took his advice.

It turned out to be a good recommendation.

From the overlook, the deep blue water of Flaming Gorge Reservoir stretched between the towering red canyon walls below us. It was our first real look at the scenery that gives Flaming Gorge its name, and it was impressive.

The overlook alone would have been worth the drive, but after spending some time taking in the view, we decided to explore more of the area on foot.

The Rim Trail follows the edge of Red Canyon, offering more views of the reservoir and cliffs along the way. What started as a visit to the overlook soon turned into a five-mile hike, including a detour to Green Lake for lunch.

Hiking the Rim Trail to Green Lake

After taking in the views from Red Canyon Overlook, we decided to follow the Rim Trail and see where it took us.

The trail follows the edge of Red Canyon, with frequent views of the reservoir far below. We weren’t in a hurry and stopped often to enjoy the scenery and take pictures along the way.

Eventually, we reached a fork in the trail. Continuing straight would keep us on the Rim Trail, while turning right would take us toward Green Lake.

We turned right.

Green Lake was a quiet place to stop for a break and enjoy the lunch we carried in our Osprey daypacks. They’ve become our go-to packs for carrying food, water and gear on hikes like this. From Green Lake, our route eventually brought us back to the Rim Trail for the return trip to Red Canyon Overlook.

By the time we finished, Gail and I had hiked 5.25 miles with 348 feet of elevation gain. Our total time was just under 2 hours and 24 minutes, including stops along the way.

For us, the hike was a great way to experience Flaming Gorge beyond the roadside overlooks. The views from Red Canyon were impressive, but walking along the rim gave us more time to slow down and appreciate the size and beauty of the landscape.

Visiting Flaming Gorge Dam

After finishing our hike, we began driving toward Vernal and Dinosaur National Monument, but we weren’t quite ready to leave Flaming Gorge. Before heading south, we decided to make one more stop at Flaming Gorge Dam.

We ended up spending about an hour and a half exploring the area, looking out across the reservoir and walking onto the bridge above the massive concrete dam.

At 502 feet high, Flaming Gorge Dam is an impressive structure. Construction began in 1958, and the final bucket of concrete was placed in November 1962. The dam was built across the Green River as part of the Colorado River Storage Project and today provides water storage and hydroelectric power.

Whenever I visit a place like this, I find myself thinking about the people who built it. How did they construct something so massive in such a remote location? What were their daily lives like? Where did they live, and what did a normal workday look like while building a structure of this size?

Standing above the dam, Gail and I were in awe of its scale. It’s one thing to see a large dam in pictures, but another to stand above it and look down at the enormous structure holding back the reservoir.

Flaming Gorge Dam was a fitting final stop before we continued south toward Vernal. Our visit to Flaming Gorge had started with a sunset beside the reservoir and ended by standing above the structure that created it.

Boating, Fishing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Flaming Gorge

Although we spent most of our time exploring Flaming Gorge from the trails and scenic overlooks, the water itself is a huge part of the experience.

We briefly talked about renting a boat and spending some time on the reservoir but ultimately decided against it. The water temperature was too cold to paddleboard, for us. With limited time before continuing toward Dinosaur National Monument, we chose to hike the Rim Trail, visit Green Lake and explore Flaming Gorge Dam instead.

As people who enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding, Gail and I could easily imagine spending another day exploring the area from the water. The reservoir’s miles of shoreline, secluded coves and towering canyon walls offer a completely different perspective than the views from above.

There are also several established paddling routes in and around Flaming Gorge. AllTrails lists routes including the Kingfisher Island Paddle Route, Horseshoe Canyon Paddle Loop and the Green River Paddle Route from Little Hole to Bridge Hollow, which is located on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam.

Fishing is another major attraction at Flaming Gorge, with anglers coming to the reservoir for its trout and other game fish. Whether you’re exploring by motorboat, kayak or paddleboard, the water offers enough possibilities to make Flaming Gorge more than just a scenic stop along the highway.

If we return during warmer weather and have more time, getting out on the water would definitely be high on our list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do you need at Flaming Gorge?

You can see several of Flaming Gorge’s highlights with one night and a full day. We arrived late in the afternoon, camped at Lucerne Campground, watched the sunset over the reservoir and spent the following day visiting Red Canyon Overlook, hiking 5.25 miles along the Rim Trail to Green Lake and exploring Flaming Gorge Dam. If you plan to boat, fish, kayak or paddleboard, consider staying two or three days.

Where is the best view of Flaming Gorge?

Red Canyon Overlook offers one of the most impressive views of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The overlook sits high above the deep blue water and red canyon walls and is easily accessible near the Red Canyon Visitor Center. For us, it was one of the highlights of our visit.

Can you kayak or paddleboard at Flaming Gorge?

Yes. Flaming Gorge Reservoir offers plenty of opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding, with miles of shoreline, coves and dramatic canyon scenery. Paddling routes in and around Flaming Gorge include the Kingfisher Island Paddle Route and Horseshoe Canyon Paddle Loop. The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam also offers paddling opportunities, including the route from Little Hole to Bridge Hollow.

Can you visit Flaming Gorge Dam?

Yes. Visitors can drive to Flaming Gorge Dam and explore the area around the dam and reservoir. We spent about an hour and a half there, taking in the views and walking onto the bridge above the massive 502-foot-high structure. It’s an impressive stop and was the final place we visited before continuing toward Vernal and Dinosaur National Monument.

Where can you camp at Flaming Gorge?

There are several campgrounds around Flaming Gorge Reservoir. We stayed at Lucerne Campground near Manila, Utah, where we found a campsite overlooking the water with a 30-amp electrical hookup. Our individual site did not have water or sewer hookups, although potable water and a dump station were available within the campground.

Final Thoughts on Our Flaming Gorge Visit

We could have stayed on I-80 and started the long drive home. Instead, we turned south.

That decision eventually brought us to Flaming Gorge, where we camped beside the reservoir, watched a beautiful sunset, hiked along the rim of Red Canyon, ate lunch beside Green Lake and stood above one of the largest dams we had ever seen.

We only spent one night and most of the following day at Flaming Gorge, but it was enough time to realize how much more the area has to offer. We never made it onto the water, and if we return, kayaking or paddleboarding would be high on our list.

By the time we left the dam and headed toward Vernal and Dinosaur National Monument, our trip had been extended by another day, and we still weren’t headed home.

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Is Flaming Gorge already on your bucket list, or did our adventure convince you to add it? If you’ve been there before, we’d also love to hear about your favorite experience. Share your thoughts in the comments below!