Red Cloud Loop Road

Towering mountains, sandstone cliffs, rugged canyons, wildlife and sacred Indian petroglyphs, this scenic side trip travels through the canyons and forests of the Uinta Mountains partially on gravel road from Maeser to 17-miles north of Vernal on US-191.

Maeser can be reached by heading west on UT-121 from either US-191 or US-40. Once you arrive in Maeser, head north on 3500 West Street which when you enter the canyon in 3 miles, will become Canyon.

In 6-miles from Maeser, stop and see the Dry Fork Petroglyphs (A1). Located on private property, the Sadie McConkie Ranch allows visitors, asking that they do not damage the sites and respect signage. These fascinating petroglyphs and pictographs of human figures, animals and geometric shapes were carved into 200-foot Navajo Formation sandstone cliffs by the Fremont Native Americans. Famous for their quality and accessibility, the petroglyphs date from 1-1200 AD.

Nine miles from the Petroglyphs, you arrive at a fork in the road. Stay to the right to continue on Red Cloud Loop Road. For the next 10-miles, the road climbs 2,000 feet of elevation arriving at the Dry Fork Overlook (V2) where you can enjoy outstanding panoramic views of the Brownie Canyon.

Continue on Red Cloud Loop Road, passing meadows, forests of pine and aspens, and the amazing peaks of the Uinta Mountains. If you’re lucky, you may spot some wildlife such as deer and elk.

This scenic drive completes as arrive at US-191 where if you brought your bike, you can also enjoy a 32-mile loop bike ride to East Park Reservoir (H1) or you can head north on US-191 and continue on the Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway.