Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area:
Flaming Gorge Dam

The Basics

ADDRESS: on US Highway 191, approximately 2-1/2 miles southwest of Dutch John, Utah

LAST VISIT: 2024

VIDEO: Link to Flaming Gorge Video on YouTube

The Flaming Gorge Reservoir is created by the 502 foot tall Flaming Gorge Dam that was completed in 1964. The dam was built to provide water storage, flood control, and hydroelectric power.

There is a visitor center at the west side of the dam. A walkway from the visitor center is situated above US Highway 191, and connects to an area where you can see the full height of the dam, and see the transmission tower for the hydroelectric power. The transmission tower is also a frequent stopping place for turkey vultures.

The visitor center seemed to be more focused on the gift shop area than the educational displays, and we were a little disappointed in that.

Below the dam on the southeast side, there is a hiking trail called the Little Hole trail. The trail traces the eastern bank of the Green River. The views from the trail are pretty, but there is quite a bit of bushwacking involved; it doesn't appear that the trail sees much use.

Our Opinion

We are always interested in engineering projects, so this is the sort of place that we always find to be a worthy stopping point.