Coyote Ridge Road — Flaming Gorge Rim to Manila via the Uinta Basin Divide
Flaming Gorge from the rim, not the boat ramp.
Most people drive Highway 191 down to Flaming Gorge and call it good. Coyote Ridge Road does it differently — it peels off the pavement northwest of Dutch John, Utah, and climbs the rim above the reservoir’s emerald arms, crossing into Wyoming before dropping back through Manila on loose shale two-tracks and open sage benchland. The road traces the Uinta Basin’s north edge, and at the right points you’re staring down into the Flaming Gorge canyon system from 800 feet above the waterline with no guardrail and no other trucks in sight. The descent toward Manila crosses several drainages that wash out after rain, and the shale-over-clay surface turns greasy fast.
This is a moderate high-clearance run in dry conditions — a stock 4WD short-wheelbase truck handles it fine in summer, but slide a tire off the shale shelf on a wet afternoon and it gets serious fast. Skip it entirely if there’s been recent rain. No permit needed. Nearest fuel is Dutch John or Manila, both small — top off in Green River or Vernal. Dispersed camping along the rim is excellent, but pack your own water; nothing reliable out here. Best season runs June through October, with June and September being the sweet spots before heat and after monsoon mud.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7900 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Dutch John, UT |
| Land manager | Ashley National Forest / Flaming Gorge NRA |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle Coyote Ridge Road without modifications?
Yes. A stock 4WD vehicle with decent clearance — think 4Runner, Wrangler, or Tacoma — handles this route fine under normal dry conditions. Lifted rigs aren't required, but low-clearance crossovers and 2WD trucks have no business here.
When does Coyote Ridge Road typically open, and can you run it in late May?
The route sits around 7,900 feet max elevation, so snow can linger into late May and mud can be brutal into early June. June through October is the reliable window — call Ashley National Forest before going in May, conditions vary year to year.
Do you need a permit or pass to drive Coyote Ridge Road through the Flaming Gorge NRA?
No permit is required to drive the route itself. If you enter developed areas within Flaming Gorge NRA or use fee sites, a recreation pass applies — but dispersed camping along the corridor doesn't require one. Check current Ashley National Forest regs at fs.usda.gov/ashley.
What's the hardest section and what does it actually demand from driver and rig?
The route is moderate overall with no single savage obstacle, but the softer dirt sections near the divide get slick fast when wet and can develop ruts. The main demand is attention — loose edges, limited bailout options, and no cell service mean a mechanical problem becomes a real problem.
Are there water sources along the route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route — treat any water you collect, don't count on it being reliable in late summer drought years. Dutch John is your nearest fuel stop near the eastern start; Manila covers the western end. Top off before you leave either town, the 38-mile route has nothing in between.
Trail track
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