Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway
| |
|---|---|
| Route information | |
| Maintained by UDOT | |
| Length: | 79.558 mi (128.036 km) |
| Existed: | 1988[1] – present |
| Major junctions | |
| South end: |
 US-40 in Vernal |
| North end: |
Wyoming state line SR-43 in Manila |
| Location | |
| Counties: |
Uintah Daggett |
| Highway system | |
| |
The Flaming Gorge - Uintas Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in the state of Utah. It spans approximately 80 miles (130 km) as it travels from Vernal, Utah northward through the Ashley National Forest and the Uintah Mountains to the area around Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in the northeastern corner of the state.
Route description
The south end of this route starts out in Vernal, Uintah County at the intersection of US-40 and US-191. From there, it travels north on US-191, enters Ashley National Forest, and passes Steinaker State Park and Red Fleet State Park as it starts to climb into the Uinta Mountains. It continues north on its climb, encountering several switchbacks before topping out close to 8,400 feet (2,600 m) in elevation. As it gradually starts to descend it enters Daggett County before it enters Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Just inside the recreation area boundaries, the route splits in two.
Taking the right branch continues on US-191 to the northeast, passing over an inlet to Flaming Gorge Reservoir via a suspension bridge, before crossing Flaming Gorge Dam, and passing by the town of Dutch John. From here the route curves back around the southwest portion of Flaming Gorge reservoir, travelling northwest to Dutch John Gap, turning north through the gap, and turning to the northeast again after exiting Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, continuing until the Wyoming state border.
Taking the left branch, the route follows SR-44 westward, which forms the southern boundary of the recreation area in this area, roughly following the southern rim of Flaming Gorge, passing a turnoff to the Red Canyon Overlook and Visitors Center. As SR-44 approaches the western edge of the recreation area, it starts to turn in a northerly direction overall, descending in a series of turns as it approaches the southwestern tip of Flaming Gorge Reservoir and passes through Sheep Creek Gap. From this point, the route turns north, exits the recreation area, and continues a few miles further before it ends at the intersection of SR-43 in Manila.
History
For the histories of this route's constituent highways prior to its scenic byway designation, refer to:
The scenic byway was formed in 1988[1] as Utah's first Forest Service Byway. It was added to the National Scenic Byways system on June 9, 1998.[2]
Major intersections
Southern portion
| County | Location | mi[3] | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uintah | Vernal | 0.000 | 0.000 | US-40 (Main Street) | Southern terminus |
| | 5.558 | 8.945 |  SR-301 to Steinaker State Park | ||
| | 10.120 | 16.287 | Access road to Red Fleet State Park | ||
| | 17.083 | 27.492 | Route enters Ashley National Forest | ||
| Daggett | | 32.535 | 52.360 | Route leaves Ashley National Forest; enters Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area | |
| Greendale Junction | 34.695 | 55.836 |  SR-44 | Route splits in two at this point | |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
Northeast branch (US-191)
| County | Location | mi[3] | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daggett | Greendale Junction | 34.665 | 55.788 | SR-44 | |
| | 40.744– 40.959 | 65.571– 65.917 | Overpass over Flaming Gorge Dam | ||
| | 48.454 | 77.979 | Route leaves Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area | ||
| | 51.557 | 82.973 | Wyoming state line | Northern terminus | |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
Northwest branch (SR-44)
| County | Location | mi[4] | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daggett | Greendale Junction | 34.665 | 55.788 |  US-191 | |
| | 38.117 | 61.343 | Access road to Red Canyon Visitors Center | ||
| | 58.114 | 93.525 | Route leaves Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area | ||
| Manila | 62.660 | 100.841 | SR-43 (Center Street) | Northern terminus | |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
References
- 1 2 "Flaming Gorge - Uintas Scenic Byway". Utah Travel Industry. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ↑ "Transportation Secretary Slater Announces All-American Roads, Scenic Byways in 19 States". Washington, DC: Utah Department of Transportation. 1998-06-09. Archived from the original on 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- 1 2 "Highway Reference US-191" (pdf). Utah Department of Transportation. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ↑ "Highway Reference SR-44" (pdf). Utah Department of Transportation. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
Coordinates: 40°51′51″N 109°28′58″W / 40.86417°N 109.48278°W