Green River Things to Do Tips by atufft

Flaming Gorge

When I was a child, my dad took the family on a car trip to Yellowstone NP. It was July and yet a snow storm came, and the family quickly grew weary of trying to stay warm in a tent. So, we packed up and headed south to Flaming Gorge where I recall one of the best summer adventures ever. The beauty of the canyons combined with endless swimming and boating opportunities makes this reservoir one of the nation's best. Green River is the starting point for entry into Flaming Gorge, and the city hosts an annual Flaming Gorge Days Festival in June that includes live music, food, and sporting events. There's also a scenic byway through to Flaming Gorge that's about 100 miles long. In any case, the town of Green River is a good place to stock the ice chest or otherwise get outfitted on the way to this great recreational resource.

Pioneer Memorial

There's a pioneer memorial near the Green River downtown park.

Union Pacific Rail Depot and Yard

The Green River rail yard is still very much functional, and unfortunately, the old railroad passenger terminal is still being occupied by the Union Pacific Offices. I was told at the museum that old marble floors were layered over with concrete during an effort to make the passenger lobby area suitable for office cubicles. Many windows appear to be blocked. Getting a good overview of the rail yard from the east is difficult because the overpass has obscured fencing. I did manage to take a letter slot shot though.

Older Residences of Green River

There are a few interesting homes in Green River, but most interesting is the setting in which they are found. Check out these examples.

Old Commercial Buildings in Green River

Green River doesn't have the substantial collection of old architecture found in some other Wyoming towns, but there are a few exotic examples worth seeing.

Evers Park

Near Expedition Island, but on the mainland, is the locally favorite Evers Park. There's plenty of picniking tables and lawn space, children's climbing equipment, and a great summer water attraction for the kids. Nearby, the railroad contributed an old caboose that children can climb on.

Green River Walk

There is a walk way, or bicycle trail that travels along the river which can be easily taken within an hour. I started at Expedition Island and stopped at an overpass where I returned to the truck, the map shows that Green River has a considerable acreage of park land and wetland preserves associated with this walk.

Expedition Island

The actual launch site for John Wesley Powell's adventure, that eventually resulted in his navigating the Grand Canyon, began at Expedition Island on the Green River. The site has been faithfully preserved as a park and there are bridges reaching the island from either bank of the river.

Sweetwater County Museum: Powell Statue

The Sweetwater County Museum is easy to find on Flaming Gorge Street, the main avenue in town. A larger than lifesize statue of John Wesley Powell stands out front of the former Green River Post Office. The building itself has been faithfully restored to retain the stone flooring inside and other features of the Post Office that would be costly to build in today's economy.

Sweetwater County Museum: The Great Race

The race from New York to Paris by automobile passed through Green River, and there are numerous collectible pieces as evidence from this period during the first decade of the 20th century.