Flaming Gorge

About 3.5 hours from Midway.  Good paved roads to most destinations.

12 - 18, depending on activities

Whitewater rafting, boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking

$50 - $250 per person for 3 - 5 day camps, depending on the itinerary

Year round, but the preferred season for a Summer camp would be June - August

Ski/surf boats, paddleboards or kayaks, fishing gear and expertise, mountain bikes

• Dripping Springs. Regular & group sites available. Toilets, water, tables, fire rings, close to Dutch John and the Little Hole takeout for Section A of the Green. Reservable via recreation.gov. Some cell coverage.
• Cedar Springs. Smaller campground less than 1 mile from the reservoir. Toilets, water, and a fish cleaning station. Close to the dam and the put-in for Section A of the Green, as well as the Bear Canyon Trail (hiking & mountain biking). Reservable via recreation.gov. Good cell coverage.

Pack up, travel, and set up camp

Morning:  Tour Flaming Gorge Dam 

Outfitter:  Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center (435-885-3135) www.flaminggorgecountry.com

Cost:  Free

Late morning:  Raft Section A of the Green (Class I - II+)

Outfitter:  Dinosaur River Expeditions (1-800-345-7238) 

www.dinosaurriverexpeditions.com

Cost:  $105 (includes lunch on the river) 

Morning: Rent a pontoon boat on Flaming Gorge Reservoir and go fishing

Outfitter: Lucerne Valley Marina (435-784-3483)

www.flaminggorgeresort.com

Cost: $165 (up to 13 people)

Afternoon: Hike or bike the Dowd Mountain Trail (11 miles long, intermediate, considered by many to be the most spectacular in the area)

Outfitter (for bike rentals):  Red Canyon Lodge (435-889-3759)

www.redcanyonlodge.com

Cost: $20 for half-day rentals

Additional Info: https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/dowd.htm

Lake Day.  Ski, wakeboard, or surf on Flaming Gorge Reservoir if you have access to a boat. Alternatively, paddleboard, kayak, or canoe the reservoir. Note that there are several small islands within the reservoir, especially close to the dam, that are fun to explore.

Outfitter:   Flaming Gorge Resort (435-889-3773)

www.flaminggorgeresort.com

Cost:  Cost of gas for boat(s), if you have access to them.  Rental rates for kayaks and canoes will range from $35 - $50.

Break camp and return home.

This one-day trip takes participants down the Green River in a remote section of Dinosaur National Monument. It includes several named and unnamed rapids ranging from class II - III+. Because of the logistical complexity and limited number of permits available, it is highly recommended a commercial outfitter be used to run this section of river. The put-in is closer to Vernal than to Flaming Gorge, so it could make sense to run it either on the way to or the way back from the reservoir.

Outfitter:  OARS (1-800-346-6277)

https://www.greenriverrafting.com/split-mountain-canyon/

Cost:  $119 per person (includes lunch on the river)

There are several decent areas for cliff jumping on the reservoir, but one of the best known is called Mustang Ridge, which has cliffs from 15 feet to 50 feet, depending on water levels. It is close to the Mustang Ridge Campground. Go to recreation.gov and type "Mustang Ridge" into the search box for more details on the exact location.

Note that cliff jumping is inherently dangerous. Please check the landing area carefully to make sure it is free of obstacles down to a depth of at least 20 feet!