Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway, scenic byway in Uintah and Daggett counties in Utah, United States
The Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway is a 150-mile road between Vernal and Manila that winds over the eastern Uinta Mountains and past the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Following US Highway 191 and Utah Highway 44, the route passes through rugged terrain, deep canyons, pine and aspen forests, and several viewpoints where visitors can see the colorful water below dramatic rock walls.
The byway passes through rocks that date back over a billion years, showing the earth's deepest history in exposed layers and formations. The construction of Flaming Gorge Dam in the 1950s transformed the landscape, creating the large reservoir and the town of Dutch John to support the workers who built it.
The road tells stories of how people have lived in this land for generations. Along the drive, information signs and historic sites like Swett Ranch and the John Jarvie Historic Site show how settlers and indigenous peoples shaped life here over time.
All roads are paved or well-maintained, making the drive manageable year-round, though winter snow can create hazards so check conditions before visiting. Plan for several hours to stop at viewpoints, interpretive sites, and short trails scattered along the route.
Along the Sheep Creek Loop, visitors can climb the Ute Tower Fire Lookout, a tower restored from the 1930s that once spotted wildfires for the forest service. Today it stands as a piece of history offering views of the mountains and canyons below.
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