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Browns Park Scenic Backway

Address
355 N Vernal Ave.
Vernal, UT 84078
Main
435-781-1181
General Location
North of Vernal
Time to Allow
2 hours
Route Length
50 miles
Season
Spring through Fall (Do not attempt the southern part in heavy rain or winter)
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Departing from Diamond Mountain Plateau on the Jones Hole Scenic Backway, this graded dirt route travels north across Diamond Mountain, down Crouse Canyon, and into Browns Park. Flanked by daunting vertical cliffs with pinyon and juniper-covered side hills, the road through Crouse Canyon is breathtaking. It is not hard to travel back in time and imagine the desperate outlaws who used this frontier trail in and out of the sanctity of Browns Park.

The backway continues into Colorado, crossing the Green River via a one-vehicle-at-a-time suspension bridge. A short side trip takes you to the John Jarvie Historic Site, a well-preserved remnant of the frontier west. Before ending at US 191 five miles north of Dutch John, the backway passes through the narrow and winding Jessie Ewing Canyon. The southern part of this route is closed in winter months and should not be traveled during the heavy rain.

Time to Allow
2 hours
Route Length
50 miles
Season
Spring through Fall (Do not attempt the southern part in heavy rain or winter)
Fee
Free
Surface of Road
Graded dirt
Vehicle Suitability
Any vehicle in dry conditions, southern sections may require high clearance vehicle
Points of Interest
John Jarvie Historical Site, Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
Camping Details
Abundant tent and RV camping along route

Basic Directions

Enter from the north about 5 miles north of Dutch John on US Hwy 191. Enter from the south by following directions for the Jones Holes Scenic Backway.

Utah Travel