Ashley National Forest

Straddling the Uinta Mountains and the High Uintas Wilderness, Ashley National Forest is a rugged, high-altitude playground in northeastern Utah. With over 1.3 million acres of alpine lakes, bristlecone pine forests, and the dramatic Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, this forest offers some of the most remote and rewarding outdoor experiences in the American West. It's a place where you can hike to 13,000-foot peaks, fish for trophy trout, and drive the scenic Sheep Creek Geological Loop—all without the crowds of more famous national parks.

Highlights & What to See

• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area – A deep red-rock canyon carved by the Green River, perfect for boating, fishing, and the iconic Flaming Gorge Dam. The 44-mile Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway offers pullouts with jaw-dropping views.
• High Uintas Wilderness – Home to Kings Peak, Utah's highest point (13,528 ft). Backpackers and day-hikers can explore hundreds of alpine lakes and wildflower meadows; the Uinta Highline Trail is a classic multi-day trek.
• Sheep Creek Geological Loop – A 13-mile auto tour through a canyon rich in dinosaur fossils and dramatic rock formations. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and mule deer.
• Uinta Mountain Scenic Byway – This winding road climbs through aspen groves and spruce-fir forests to high passes with panoramic views. Perfect for a self-drive itinerary combining Ashley with the Uinta Mountains.
• Stargazing – Designated as a Dark Sky Park, the forest offers some of the clearest night skies in the contiguous US. The Flaming Gorge area hosts annual star parties.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors base themselves for 2–3 days to explore both Flaming Gorge and a taste of the High Uintas. If you're a serious hiker or angler, plan for 4–5 days to tackle longer trails or try your luck on the Green River. A long weekend is enough to drive the scenic byways, take a boat tour on Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and hike a short trail to a waterfall like Dowd Mountain. In summer, book campsites or lodging in nearby towns like Vernal or Manila well in advance.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Dinosaur National Monument – Just south of the forest, this monument preserves a massive dinosaur fossil quarry and offers rafting on the Green and Yampa rivers.
• Vernal, Utah – A gateway town with dinosaur museums, the Utah Field House of Natural History, and easy access to the forest's south entrance.
• Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest – Continue west to explore more of the Uinta Mountains, including Mirror Lake Highway and the Wasatch Range near Park City.
• Rock Springs, Wyoming – North of the forest, this town provides services and access to the Green River's upper reaches and the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge.

Please check official sources for current details.