The Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway runs 82 miles from Vernal, Utah, the self-described dinosaur capital of the world, north to Manila near the Wyoming line, climbing through Ashley National Forest and some of the oldest exposed rock in the state.
Utah designated the route a state scenic byway in 1988, and it became a National Scenic Byway in 1998. The drive’s official theme, Wildlife Through the Ages, reflects both the fossil record around Vernal and the living wildlife along the route, including bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, and golden eagles.
From Vernal, US-191 climbs north past Steinaker and Red Fleet State Parks before reaching Greendale Junction, where the byway splits. One branch continues on US-191 past Flaming Gorge Dam toward Dutch John; the other follows Utah 44 toward Manila through Sheep Creek Canyon, where road cuts expose rock layers from the Frontier, Morrison, Chinle, Mancos, and Hilliard formations.
The route has 15 interpretive sites and 4 nature trails along the way, and it connects directly to the Wyoming side of Flaming Gorge for travelers who want to extend the drive into a full loop.
Route Details: Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway
Vernal (0 miles)
The byway begins in Vernal, where the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum gives a 22,000-square-foot overview of the region’s dinosaur fossils and natural history. It’s the recommended starting point and the only stretch of the drive with full services and reliable EV charging.
Steinaker and Red Fleet State Parks (8 miles)
North of Vernal, US-191 passes Steinaker State Park, then Red Fleet State Park, both built around reservoirs with camping, boating, and fishing. Red Fleet is also known for dinosaur track sites accessible by a short hike.
Ashley National Forest (20 miles)
The byway enters Ashley National Forest around 20 miles north of Vernal, where the Lodgepole campground and surrounding pine forest mark the shift from high desert to mountain terrain. This stretch climbs steadily toward Greendale Junction.
Greendale Junction (33 miles)
Greendale Junction is where US-191 and Utah 44 split, and both routes count as part of the byway. Travelers heading toward Manila take UT-44 west; those continuing to the dam and Dutch John stay on US-191.
Sheep Creek Geological Loop (40 miles)
A 13-mile side loop off UT-44, the Sheep Creek Geological Area cuts through rock exposed by the Uinta Crest Fault, with tilted strata visible in cross-section along the road. Bighorn sheep are a common sight here, and the loop includes a petrified forest and petroglyph panels.
Flaming Gorge Dam and Red Canyon (45 miles, via the US-191 branch)
For travelers who take the eastern branch at Greendale Junction, Flaming Gorge Dam stands 502 feet high, with guided tours available at the visitor center. The nearby Red Canyon Overlook gives one of the best views of the reservoir’s namesake red cliffs.
Manila (82 miles)
The byway ends in Manila, a small town on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir’s western shore. It has basic services, and from here travelers can continue north on UT-43, which becomes Wyoming 530 and connects to the Flaming Gorge–Green River Basin Scenic Byway for a full loop back to I-80.
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