Planning Your Time

The two biggest draws in this area are Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Dinosaur National Monument. While it’s reasonable to see the fossils on display at Dinosaur in just a day, you’ll get a better sense of the park’s untouched natural beauty if you stay overnight. Likewise, you can spend a day or several hiking the trails and playing in the water at Flaming Gorge. Many of the towns in the area can be driven through or stopped in without spending the night. A good base for your adventures is Price, a pleasant town that’s less than two hours from the stunning San Rafael Swell, a huge, oval-shape, geologic dome that’s far from everything but worth the trek. You could easily spend a few days exploring these unique areas. If you can make the time, a one or multiday excursion on the Green, White, or Yampa River would be an unforgettable—and occasionally heart-pounding—addition to your stay.