Wildlife at Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Flaming Gorge Reservoir is the focal point for some of the best wildlife watching in Utah. Boaters careful not to disturb wildlife can enjoy dramatic views of osprey nesting atop rocky pinnacles near the water, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and pelicans.

Just taking a drive and you can expect to see deer, antelope, moose, and of course, prairie dogs. However, if you're in the mood for some serious wildlife viewing, just watch what happens when you take the path less traveled:

Wildlife through the Ages

Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway offers its theme of "Wildlife Through the Ages," this byway offers drive-by viewing of pronghorn antelope, elk, mule deer, moose, and wild horses. Nature trails and interpretive portals provide information and access to various wildlife communities along the byway. Take the Sheep Creek Geological Loop for glimpses of Utah's Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Ashley National Forest

Bring your hiking boots and venture into the wild and unspoiled High Uintas Wilderness Area . The Uintas is refuge for bighorn sheep, elk, moose, mule deer, eagles, osprey, owls, and beaver- probably some of the best wildlife viewing in the region. Tiny towns and lonely highways surround the preserve, making it accessible for hikers, campers, and anglers who come to enjoy this region's beauty.

Lucerne Peninsula

The Lucerne Peninsula extends into Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Antelope are plentiful and often graze right through the campgrounds. There are no developed trails in this area, so you can either do all your viewing from the car or stop whenever the mood strikes and set off across the grassland.

Did you know that birding is the number one sport in America? According to US Fish and Wildlife Service , there are currently 51.3 million birders in the United States alone, and this number continues to grow!

Bird watching is the very best kind of fun: easy, inexpensive, healthful and satisfying. Lucerne Peninsula is a popular birding place where many Specialty birds can be seen: Bald Eagle (winter); Prairie Falcon; Sage Thrasher; Sage Sparrow. Other key birds: Pied-billed, Eared (spring and fall), and Western Grebes; Snowy Egret; Turkey Vulture; Tundra Swan (spring and fall); Green-winged Teal; Northern Pintail; Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teals; Northern Shoveler; Gadwall; American Wigeon; Redhead; Ringnecked Duck (spring and fall); Lesser Scaup (spring and fall); Common (fall to spring) and Barrow's (spring and fall) Goldeneyes; Bufflehead (spring and fall); Common Merganser; Ruddy Duck; Osprey; Northern Harrier; Rough-legged Hawk (winter); Golden Eagle (winter); Spotted Sandpiper; California Gull; Common Nighthawk; Say's Phoebe; Ash-throated Flycatcher; Western Kingbird; Loggerhead Shrike; Violet-green and Northern Rough-winged Swallows; Blackbilled Magpie; Common Raven; Bewick's Wren; Mountain Bluebird; Yellow and Yellow-rumped (spring and fall) Warblers; Chipping, Brewer's, Vesper, Lark, Savannah, Grasshopper, and White-crowned Sparrows; Black-headed Grosbeak; Brewer's Blackbird; Bullock's Oriole.