Biking

From Vernal, head north along US 191 for 32 miles to its juntion with UT 44. Continue along 191 for 4 miles to the Flaming Gorge Lodge. The trail is just beyond the lodge and is clearly marked at the trailhead. Simply follow the trail from the road for about 1.5 miles to the overlook, then retrace your route back to your vehicle. Be on the lookout for elk, mule deer and numerous species of birds in the area.

There is also a side route (signed) that leads to the Flaming Gorge Lodge where you'll find a restaurant, grocery store, cabin rentals and gasoline.

From Vernal, head north on Hwy 191 to the Utah/Wyoming line and follow the graded dirt road for 22 miles south, following the signs for the historic ranch. The route follows the graded dirt road from the ranch and crosses the Green River below the ranch. The trail crosses Taylor Flat and then crosses Sears Creek. Ahead, a steep climb leads to an overlook 550 feet above the Green River at Swallow Canyon. The route then drops through the Browns Park State Waterfowl Management area and crosses the River on a cable suspension bridge. The trail then heads west through the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge and along the graded road for 8 miles back to the ranch.

From Manila, travel south on UT44 to just before milepost 14. Park at the Dowd Springs picnic area. Begin pedaling across the highway to the east up the Dowd Mountain Road. Cross over the cattle guard and take the single-track trail to the right marked by the carsonite post. The trail undulates among the pine trees for a few miles before merging with a double track road. Follow the blue diamonds along the main road past several branching routes. The trail eventually swings north and intersects FS 094. Go right (east) to the overlook 0.5 mile ahead. From the overlook, follow the Dowd Mountain Hideout trail to the north, following the trail along the hillside to an intersection. Go left up the hill to the 3-way intersection and proceed right (west) on FS 613. After abut a mile the trail reaches the saddle and splits. Head straight down the narrowing trail, over the roller coaster berms down the gully back to the trailhead.

From Vernal, drive north on 500 West and turn left onto 500 North, heading west. Follow the sign right to the Remember the Main Park and Red Cloud Loop. Ahead 3.3 miles is the trailhead at Remember the Main Park. Pedal up Dry Fork Canyon, passing through the peaceful valleys and slickrock cliffs. Just over 3 miles ahead is the McConkie Ranch. The canyon wall inside the ranch contains hundreds of Fremont petroglyphs. On the main road, continue up canyon for 2 more miles and turn right at the junction. The creek may be dry in spots as it flows underground in some sections; thus the name Dry Fork Canyon.

Three miles from the junction is the historical marker for Dry Fork Village, now a ghost town. The ride continues for another 3 miles into the upper canyon, passing a few picnic areas. The pavement ends at the boundary with the Ashley National Forest. Turn around here and enjoy the downhill cruise back to your vehicle.

This trail closely follows the route of an old wagon road that was used to access both the Dry Fork Flume and the Flume Mill Site near Corral Park. The construction of the flume began in the spring of 1896 as a way to divert water from Dry Fork Creek around the many sinks located there, with the purpose of supplying irrigation water to the valley below. The experiment failed, but left excellent opportunities for hiking, biking and historical interpretation.

From Vernal, head north 18 miles along US 191 and turn left (west) onto the Red Cloud Loop (FS 018). Park in the gravel parking area here. The trailhead is signed and the route follows bike trail signs. Following the route counterclockwise, head northwest up paved East Park Road for 9.5 miles to the East Park Campground turnoff. Water may be available at the campground in summer. The road changes to gravel and rolls west for 10 miles across several drainages to the Trout Creek guard station. Be aware of logging trucks in this area. Turn left at the guard station, following the bike signs back to US 191. After 7 miles the route crosses Big Brush Creek and continues for 4 miles through aspen groves, stands of lodge pole pine and sagebrush back to the highway and your vehicle.

From Vernal, head north on US 191/UT44. At the junction for the Flaming Gorge Dam, continue on UT 44 to the Deep Creek turnoff 9FS 539), located between mileposts 11 and 12. From Manila, FS 539 is 16 miles south on UT 44. The trailhead is located 2 miles down the Deep Creek Road at Elk Park. Pedal west down the Deep Creek Road, through the campground, and across Carter Creek. The trail here climbs for about 2.5 miles to the junction with FS 221, signed for Spirit Lake, Browne Lake, and Sheep Creek Lake. Follow this dirt double-track road for 1.5 miles to FS5. Turn left of this trail, climbing up to the lookout tower on Ute Mountain.

On the south side of the tower, ride down the single-track trail signed Ute Mountain Trail 005. Follow the trail through the meadow ahead to the fence line bordering Browne Lake. Follow the fence line briefly (50 yds.) then cross the meadow on the single track. The trail here is vague. Look for posts, tree blazes, and diamonds marking the route. The trail then parallels Carter Creek. After about a mile, stay right at the junction for Lost Spring Trail (FS 007), and continue straight to Youngs Spring Park. Ahead you will probably need to carry your bike up the short, but steep, Icy Hill Dugway. Take an immediate left for Young Spring and climb the short hill to the junction for Old Carter Trail #016. Head east, following posts for FT 016. This trail intersects Trail #014, but stay on #016 on the ride side of the meadow. Continue on the rough trail to a faint junction signed for South Elk Park, Elk Prk, Old Carter Trail, and Young Spring. Turn left on the single-track trail, cross the East Fork of Deep Creek ahead, and push your bike up the steep hill to the 4WD road. In the meadow ahead, take a right, than a left (carsonite post here), and follow the trail back to your vehicle.

The John Jarvie Historical Ranch is the best place to begin this adventure. The property, now managed by the BLM, is an old trading post dating back to the early 1800s. From Vernal, head north on Hwy 191 to the Utah/Wyoming line, then turn south on the graded Browns Park road. Proceed down the road for 22 miles, following the signs for the historic site. The trailhead and parking are located 4 miles east of the ranch. Follow the trail counter-clockwise beginning with a short climb. The trail levels out as it heads along the plateau above the river. There is a signed spur that travels for about a half a mile to an excellent viewpoint of the redrock bluffs at the mouth of Swallow Canyon. The trail then heads north to join with the graded dirt road and back to the trailhead. More information, water, restroom facilities, and tours are available at the John Jarvie Ranch.

From Vernal, travel north on Hwy 191 to the Utah/Wyoming line and follow the graded dirt road for 22 miles south, following the signs for the John Jarvie Historic Site. When you reach the Taylor Flat Bridge, travel south until you reach the first dirt road on your right. Take this road until you reach the trailhead parking. The trail travels upriver for 5 miles with fantastic views the whole way.

From Roosevelt, travel north along UT 87 to Mountain Home, then north to Yellowstone along FR 119. A parking lot and trailhead are located in the lower Hells Canyon area just past the Ashley National Forest boundary. The trail begins in the lower Hells Canyon area of Yellowstone Canyon, along FR 119. At its junction with FR 196, head west along a good dirt road. Continue along FR 196 as it climbs and winds its way towards Petty Mountain. Pedal across Flea Flat and through Bear Park. There is a spur there to Lake Fork Mountain. At Mill Park, the trail bends northeast and intersects FR 227 at Mill Spring. Take a right onto FR 227 and head southeast down through Hells Canyon back to the trailhead.