The best walks and hikes around Flaming Gorge
4.9
(6)
69
hikers
10
hikes
Hiking around Flaming Gorge offers diverse landscapes characterized by dramatic red rock canyons, expansive reservoir views, and varied high desert terrain. The region features steep-sided gorges carved by the Green River, alongside areas of juniper and pinyon pine forests. These natural features provide a range of environments for outdoor exploration. The elevation changes across the area contribute to distinct ecosystems and viewpoints.
Best hiking trails around Flaming Gorge
- The most popular hiking route is Bear Canyon Bootleg Trail — Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, a 3.0 miles (4.9 km) trail that takes 1 hour 17 minutes to complete, offering an easy path through canyon scenery.
- Another top favourite among local hikers is Canyon Rim Trail — Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, a moderate 9.6 miles (15.5 km) path. This route provides expansive views along the canyon rim, showcasing the vastness of the Flaming Gorge recreation area.
- Local hikers also love the Red Canyon Overlook — Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, a 0.5 miles (0.8 km) trail leading through red rock formations to a prominent viewpoint, often completed in about 15 minutes.
- Hiking around Flaming Gorge is defined by red rock canyons, reservoir overlooks, and high desert flora, with options for different ability levels.
- The routes in Flaming Gorge are highly rated by the komoot community with an average score of 4.9 stars from over 5 reviews. More than 70 hikers have used komoot to explore Flaming Gorge's varied terrain.
Last updated: May 20, 2026
3.96km
01:06
60m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
18
hikers
4.89km
01:17
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Sign up for free
5
hikers
15.5km
04:15
250m
250m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
hikers
816m
00:15
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
hikers
10.7km
02:48
80m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
Tips from the Community
If you're not staying at Firefighters Memorial Campground across the street, people often park at the side of the road to access this trail that, despite its name, leads to a nice overlook of Lake Flaming Gorge. Along the way, watch for wildlife and for wildflowers in season. This trail is also popular for cross-country skiing.
0
0
The trail to get here is easy and relatively short (about three miles round-trip) if you park across the street from the Firefighters Memorial Campground. For your efforts, you get a beautiful, sort of side-on view of the Green River as it flows through Red Canyon, a part of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
1
0
This trail runs alongside the Green River as it carves its way through a "painted" rock canyon that is so pretty, Little Hole has been designated a National Scenic Trail. The trail runs for just over 7 miles one-way and doesn't really have feeder trails intersecting it, but with a parking lot at either end, it's easy to make this a point-to-point hike, or an out-and-back that goes for as long as you like. Keep an eye out for birds, wildlife like river otters, and boaters out on the water.
0
0
This viewpoint, just a short walk outside Canyon Rim Campground, offers impressive lookouts down into Red Canyon, with the Flaming Gorge Reservior, created from the Green River, in its depths. If you're up for hiking a couple miles northwest, the views get even better.
0
0
This overlook is famous for its wildflowers, which sprouted in profusion following a decades-past wildfire. You also get nice views into the nearby valley. You can't see all the way into Red Canyon from here, but you can hike there along the Canyon Rim Trail, and it's well worth it for the views.
0
0
Whether you're coming from the visitor center to the northwest, or staying at the Canyon Rim Campground to the southeast, this is one of several particularly great viewpoints along the Canyon Rim Trail.
0
0
This visitor center is a great place to get oriented to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. You can also enjoy spectacular views into 1,400-foot deep Red Canyon just a short walk to the north, or southeast along the Canyon Rim Trail.
0
0
Red Canyon is some 700 feet wide and 1,400 deep, and you get amazing views of it from this lookout point, as well as spots along the trail as you approach. The water at the bottom is Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
0
0
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general difficulty level of hiking trails in Flaming Gorge?
Flaming Gorge offers a range of hiking experiences. Out of the 10 available routes, 7 are classified as easy, and 3 are moderate. There are no routes currently listed as difficult, making it a great destination for hikers of varying skill levels looking for accessible to moderately challenging paths.
Are there any family-friendly hiking options in Flaming Gorge?
Yes, Flaming Gorge has several family-friendly hikes. Many of the trails are rated as easy, such as the Bear Canyon Bootleg Trail, which is 4.9 km (3.0 miles) long and takes about 1 hour 17 minutes. Another short and easy option is the Red Canyon Overlook, a 0.8 km (0.5 miles) trail that can be completed in about 15 minutes.
What kind of views can I expect on the hiking trails in Flaming Gorge?
Hikers in Flaming Gorge can expect dramatic red rock canyons, expansive reservoir views, and high desert terrain. Trails like the Canyon Rim Trail offer vast panoramas along the canyon's edge, showcasing the region's unique geological features.
Are there any loop trails available for hiking in Flaming Gorge?
Yes, there is at least one loop trail. The Red Canyon Overlook – Red Canyon Visitor Center loop from Dutch John is an easy 4.5 km (2.8 miles) route that takes approximately 1 hour 12 minutes to complete, offering a circular path through the area.
What do other hikers enjoy most about hiking in Flaming Gorge?
The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.9 stars from over 5 reviews. Hikers often praise the diverse landscapes, from red rock canyons to reservoir overlooks, and the variety of trails suitable for different ability levels.
What is the longest hiking trail in Flaming Gorge?
The longest hiking trail currently listed is the Canyon Rim Trail — Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. This moderate route spans 15.5 km (9.6 miles) and typically takes around 4 hours 14 minutes to complete.
Are there any moderate difficulty trails for a longer hike?
Yes, for those seeking a moderate challenge, the Little Hole Trail — Dutch John, Utah is a great option. It covers 10.7 km (6.6 miles) and involves an elevation gain of about 77 meters, typically taking around 2 hours 47 minutes.
How many hiking routes are available in Flaming Gorge?
There are 10 distinct hiking routes available for exploration in the Flaming Gorge area, offering a variety of distances and difficulty levels.
What kind of elevation changes can I expect on Flaming Gorge trails?
Elevation changes vary by trail. For instance, the easy Bear Canyon Bootleg Trail has a modest elevation gain of about 44 meters, while the moderate Canyon Rim Trail involves a more significant ascent of approximately 245 meters.
Are there any short, easy hikes for a quick outing?
Absolutely. The Red Canyon Overlook is a very short and easy trail, only 0.8 km (0.5 miles) long, perfect for a quick visit to a prominent viewpoint, taking about 15 minutes.
What are the typical landscapes encountered while hiking in Flaming Gorge?
The landscapes are characterized by dramatic red rock canyons, expansive reservoir views of Flaming Gorge, and varied high desert terrain. You'll find areas with juniper and pinyon pine forests, alongside the steep-sided gorges carved by the Green River.
Most popular routes around Flaming Gorge
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
Explore more
Browse the best Hikes in other regions.
