Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

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Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area including the section of the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is administered by the Ashley National Forest. This rugged wildland stretches from Wyoming high deserts, where herds of antelope play along the lake shore, to the forested slopes of Utah's Uinta Mountains.

A diverse land of scenic beauty, Flaming Gorge lends itself to many memorable outdoor adventures. In 1869, Major John Wesley Powell, on expedition down the Green River, looked in awe at this magnificent country and named it Flaming Gorge. Today the brilliant red cliffs are scenic attractions for thousands of visitors annually. The heart of the National Recreation Area is a 91-mile-long reservoir, created by the Flaming Gorge Dam. With over 300 miles of shoreline, boat ramps, full service lodges and marinas, Lake Flaming Gorge is an aquatic paradise. While motor boating, sailing, swimming, windsurfing, water skiing, and scuba diving are among the lake's popular recreation activities, "The Gorge" is most famous for its fishing.

The cool, clear depths of Lake Flaming Gorge are ideal for growing enormous trout. These famous angling waters have produced fish of state and world record size, including: lake trout(Mackinaw) over 50 pounds, German brown trout over 30 pounds, and rainbow trout over 25pounds. Flaming Gorge also supports numerous cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, small mouthbass, and channel catfish.

While the lake claims the big ones, the Green River below the dam is boasted as one of our nations finest blue ribbon trout streams. Fish populations here have been counted as high as 22,000 per river miles! White water rapids and gorgeous canyon scenery also lend to the popularity of river rafting below the dam and hiking Little Hole National Recreation Trail.