Wyoming -Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway

We had a 2 ½ hour drive to Salt Lake City from Rock Springs and all day to get there. (Grace had to work would not be done until 4:00pm). The 2 ½ hour drive was all interstate highways, so we decided to take whatever scenic drives we could find. Lucky for us, there was one just as we left Rock Springs. It is the Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway. This scenic byway follows US Highway 191 south to Manila UT. We missed the turn for US Highway 191, but found we could get on at Highway 530.

Map of loop going around Flaming Gorge.

The byway was completely empty, I think we saw 2 cars the whole time we were driving the weather was fanatic, clear and sunny the whole day. The geological landscape was amazing and continually changed as we drove. The Green River had such vibrant color and made for some great photos.

Flaming Gorge was named by John Wesley Powell while he was exploring the Green river. He described the Green River as it entered a flaming brilliant red gorge. Hence the name. There is over 3 billion years of rock history in this area. Informational plaques shows many of this history.

We also came across Red Canyon. This part of Flaming Gorge is near Manila and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The red canyon wall and the turquoise waters made for stunning views. There is a Visitors Center here as well. This is another area with amazing campsites. Will definitely came back here to camp.

We connected with US Highway 191 past Manila to Vernal, then turned off of 191 onto 40 to Salt Lake City. The drive was busier, but we did drove through some wildfire damage along Hwy 40.

Wildfire damage as we left the area.

We eventually got back to civilization and made our way to Salt Lake City. We will be staying in an Airbnb for a few nights as well explore the area and help get Grace settled into her new place.