Rock Creek Canyon and Upper Stillwater Dam

Scenery at its best…along with diversity in landscapes and exceptional outdoor recreation facilities, all within one hour drive of Duchesne.

As with the North Fork of the Duchesne River Tour, this route also provides access to some of the most beautiful canyon areas along the south slope of the High Uinta Mountains. Traveling north from the town of Duchesne on State Road 87, the route follows sagebrush and grass-covered plateau for the first 16 miles, past the Falcon’s Ledge Resort to a junction with the Duchesne County Road…leading to the community of Mountain Home and the Moon Lake recreation area. Upon reaching Mountain Home, a left turn onto the road signed as “Rock Creek and Upper Stillwater” takes the traveler through rolling slopes of sagebrush and juniper on lands that are part of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.

Oil and gas operations are evident in the first 10 miles of the route. Pipelines and well sites can be seen adjacent to the route.

The landscape quickly changes as the route drops into the Rock Creek River drainage. Sandstone and limestone formations will be seen on side slopes as part of glacial deposits from long ago. This same glacial action has resulted in the U-shaped profiles seen along segments of the canyon bottom.

The route then enters the Ashley National Forest, where the vegetative cover changes dramatically to willows, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and ponderosa pine. As the route nears its terminus, the canyon walls loom high on both sides, covered with lodgepole pine, and Engelmann Spruce, with groves (clones) of aspen trees appearing like patchwork on the tree-covered slopes.

The route ends at the Upper Stillwater Dam and Reservoir. This spectacular concrete dam was constructed and completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1987. The Dam and reservoir serve as the impoundment structure for irrigation and domestic water, most of which is delivered to Strawberry Reservoir, and eventually to the Provo and Salt Lake City areas.

Take time to visit Ashley National Forest Visitor Center at the administrative site just below the dam. Information about the Forest and Rock Creek Canyon can be obtained at this location.

Visitors will also find the Rock Creek Ranch in the vicinity of the dam. This privately owned resort is open to the public and operated under a special use permit with the Ashley National Forest. For more information call (435)454-3332 or just stop in for a visit.

 Also, visit the Yellowpine Interpretive Trail (handicapped accessible) located in the Yellowpine Campground just 3.8 miles south of the dam. This trail is 0.5 miles long, fully accessible, and features interpretive signs describing the surrounding forest.

This tour is 41.1 miles long and requires one hour of driving time.

Mileage (only “key” mileposts are shown on the map)

0.0 Begin at the junction of US Highway 40 and State Road 87 in the center of the community of Duchesne. Head north on State Road 87.

0.2 Junction of State Road 87 and River Road. Stay on State Road 87.

0.3 Crossing of the Duchesne River.

0.6 Utah Water Conservancy Building

5.6 Crossing under the 345 kV (kilovolt) transmission line, carrying electricity from the Bonanza Power Plant near Vernal to the Mona Substation south of Provo, Utah.

6.0 Junction of State Road 87 and State Road 35. Stay on State Road 87. (State Road 35 goes to the communities of Tabiona and Hanna.)

6.1-9.1 Oil and gas well sites on both sides of the road.

11.9 Gas compressor station on the west side of the road.

13.2 Junction State Road 87 and County Road to the community of Talmage. Stay on State Road 87.

14.9 Access road to Falcon’s Ledge Resort. This resort provides private fly fishing, guided hunts, wilderness adventures, fine dining, and luxurious accommodations. For more information call 435-454-3737. Continue on State Road 87.

15.4 Junction State Road 87 and County Road to the community of Mountain Home. Turn left onto this County Road.

18.2 Entering the community of Mountain Home.

18.3 Junction of County Road to Mountain Home and Road to Rock Creek Canyon and Upper Stillwater Dam. Turn left onto this road. Kickin W Bed & Breakfast and General Store is located at this junction. Area information, guided fishing, hunting trips, and horseback rides are available here. For more information call 435-454-3740 or stop in to visit and enjoy the services.

19.5 Notice the terrain on either side of the road. These lateral features or mounds are the remnants of ancient glaciers and are called lateral moraines. They consist of rock debris deposited by glacial ice as it carved its way through the countryside.

21.1 Road to the left goes to an area called Steamboat Mountain. Stay on the Road to Rock Creek Canyon.

22.3 Entering land that is part of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. Crossing of Bensen Creek.

26.8 Road to the right goes to Pigeon Water Springs.

27.1 Notice the vegetation transition from juniper trees to sagebrush due to a change in soil and moisture conditions.

27.5 The traveler will notice another change in vegetative cover, as the route enters a juniper/pinyon pine tree-covered area.

28.3 During summer and fall months, the large open areas to the west or left side of the road are frequented by deer and elk migrating back and forth from the summer to winter range.

28.9 Notice streamside vegetation which is excellent habitat for small and large wildlife species including many species of birds.

29.6 The road on the west or left side of the road crosses over Dry Mountain on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. Stay on road to Upper Stillwater Dam.

30.9 Striking red Navajo sandstone geological feature on the west or left side of the road.

31.9 View of the McAfee Ridge and Basin area of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.

32.6 Leaving the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.

33.5 Entrance on the left side of the road to Lower StillwaterPonds in the Ashley National Forest. These ponds were constructed to replace “wetlands” lost due to the construction of the upper Stillwater Dam and Reservoir. The ponds are open to the public and provide fun and exciting fishing experiences. The southern end of the Rock Creek Trail is located near the first fishing pond. From this point, it is 3 miles to Miners GulchCampground, 4 miles to yellow pine Campground, and 8 miles to the base of Upper Stillwater Dam. This unpaved trail is open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

35.6 Entrance to Rock Creek Fisherman Parking. Open for day use only, providing parking for river anglers.

36.5 Miners Gulch Group Campground.

36.8 View of the Brown Duck Mountain area of the High Uintas Wilderness.

37.3 Yellowpine Campground, named for the large ponderosa pine trees throughout the campground. The yellowpine Interpretive Trailhead is located in the campground area. Look for the parking area and trail signs.

37.6 Notice the change in tree cover. Ponderosa pine, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine, and aspen become more prevalent.

40.6 Rock Creek Ranch on the east or right side of the road provides outdoor recreation opportunities…horseback riding, guided fishing and hunting, and cabins under permit by the Ashley National Forest. For more information, call 435-454-3332. The Rock Creek Administrative Site and Visitor Center operated and maintained by the Ashley National Forest are located on the west or left side of the road. Area information can be obtained at this site.

40.9 Forest road leading to Hanna via Blind Stream Canyon. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. This road also leads to the Rock Creek Trailhead, with the trail leading to the Rock Creek Canyon area of the High Uintas Wilderness.

41.0 Upper Stillwater Campground.

41.1 Base of Upper Stillwater Dam and Reservoir. A boat ramp and parking for boaters and fishermen are at end of the road. The northern end of the Rock Creek Trail ends here. From this point, it is 4 miles to Yellowpine Campground, 5 miles to Miners Gulch Campground, and 8 miles to Lower Stillwater Ponds. This unpaved trail is open to hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. End of tour.