The Flaming Gorge Recreation Area is located in both Wyoming and Utah.  It was established by Congress in 1968.  There are 207,363 acres of land and water.  In 1869, John Wesley Powell, on an expedition down the Green River, named the area Flaming Gorge because of the red rock cliffs.  The Ashley National Forest administers the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area.

The Flaming Gorge Dam was began in 1958 and was completed in 1964 on the Green River, which created the Flaming Gorge Reservoir.  The Flaming Gorge Dam is 502 feet above bedrock and generates hydroelectric power.  At the base of the Dam three turbines and generators produce 50,650 kilowatts of electrical power.

The Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 91 miles long and has 375 miles of shoreline, which ranges from low land to 1,500 feet high cliffs.  The reservoir has a capacity of 3,788,900 acre-feet and a surface area of 42,020 acres.  The huge reservoir provides opportunity for fishing, boating, house boating, skiing and other water sports.  The surface water of the reservoir is cool even in summer.   The cool water makes it a great habitat for trout.  There has been a number of 30+ pound fish caught.  The record fish caught in Utah was 51 pounds, 8 ounces.   There is also good fishing for rainbows, brown trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass.

Firehole Canyon has awe inspiring scenes which features chimneys and pinnacles that reflect the blue water of the reservoir.  The Red Canyon Vista and Visitor Center is another attraction of the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area.