Ashley National Forest

Ashley National Forest encompasses some 1,287,909 acres in northeastern Utah, with another 96,223 acres in southwestern Wyoming. 276,175 of these acres are in the High Uintas Wilderness (another 180,530 acres of the wilderness are in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest). Elevations in the Ashley National Forest range from about 6,000' to 13,528' at the summit of King's Peak (highest point in Utah).

On the northeast side of the Forest is the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, a very popular boating and water sport area. Of the 26 campgrounds located around the lake, 4 are accessible only by boat.

The 26 miles of the Green River below the Flaming Gorge Dam and above Dinosaur National Monument are open to approved water craft without permits. The 26 miles of the Green River flowing through Dinosaur National Monument require permits from the National Park Service.

There are more than 1,000 miles of trails on the Forest, trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, etc. (I would have listings of those trails included here but a large fire in 2007 has caused some major changes in things on the Forest.) Most trailheads includes parking areas, horse unloading facilities and restrooms. Many trails and parts of the Forest are open for high clearance vehicles, ATV's and motorcycles, however, the National Forest's approach to regulations starts with: "All areas and routes are closed unless designated open." A good map of the Forest is real helpful for these things.

The Ashley National Forest also offers world-class fly-fishing in head water streams for native Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, although some folks are content to troll the deep waters of the Flaming Gorge for Lake Trout and Kokanee. That 91-mile-long reservoir with more than 300 miles of shoreline is an incredible place for growing enormous trout. I'm talking 50-pound lake trout, 30 pound German brown trout and 25 pound rainbows (some of these fish have set state and world records). While the big fish are in the lake, the Green River below the Flaming Gorge dam is one of America's finest blue ribbon trout streams with population counts reaching as high as 22,000 fish per river mile. And as much as the fishermen may hate it, this section of the Green River with its' white water rapids and gorgeous canyon scenery are extremely popular among the river rafting types.

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and the section of Green River below the Flaming Gorge Dam are administered by the Ashley National Forest. Visitors to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area need a Recreation Use Pass. This pass allows use by all occupants of a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (as in: the whole family on one pass). The hologram-stamped National Park Pass, Golden Age, Access and Eagle Passports are also accepted.