Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center & Tour | 12 Utah Staycations

Flaming Gorge Dam has a free tour and it was one of the highlights of our Vernal Staycation! I can't recall ever doing the tour before and I have vague memories of maybe driving across the dam, but I'm not even sure. 

When chatting with the locals of Vernal we asked them which would you if you only had time for one. "Would you go to Fantasy Canyon or Flaming Gorge?"

Everybody said Flaming Gorge! (We see you Fantasy Canyon, we'll be back for you.)

On our way home, we decided to make the hour long drive and head up the canyon. I'm so very glad we did. I'm all about NOT driving the same way home if possible. We made a short visit to Red Canyon Visitor Center (the view is the die for.) so be sure to stop there too!

On to the "Best Dam Tour in Utah!"

We want this shirt. 

I can't believe how high the dam is. Or how much water was pumping out of the pipes! I guess normally there are shut-off but because of all the excess run-off this year, they've been pumping water out still! 

The tour takes about an hour, but we asked for to be shortened since we had a bunch of kids. We learned all sorts of things about the Dam and walked through a bunch of rooms! We also took the 52-second elevator ride down to the bottom! 

At the bottom of the dam, you can feed HUGE fish. I'm not sure if they normally give you fish food, but our tour guide put in the quarter for the food. Good thing too, because we don't carry quarters! 

The kids scavenged for fish food on the ground while we got to watch and check out the crazy surroundings! I can't believe how TALL and how much concrete is in that dam! I'm a little bummed, but apparently, you used to be able to jump off the dam into the river, but not anymore. 

Be sure to add this tour to your list! It's a must and it's free!