At Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation, intensely blue water, sandy beaches and 23 miles of shoreline along Starvation Reservoir shape the landscape. Five campgrounds there range from developed to primitive sites. Check facilities and rules again before you arrive. The history can also be marked by two dates: Starvation Dam was completed in 1970, and the state park was established in 1972.
Water and Trails at Moon Lake
Moon Lake is two miles long. Its campground lies on the shore, on the south slope of the Uinta Mountains. Canoeing and motorboating are possible on the lake; the Lake Fork Trail also begins at the campground, providing access to the High Uintas Wilderness. Water activities and a trailhead thus meet at a named starting point.
From Duchesne, you can reach Moon Lake Campground via State Highway 87, Mountain Home and Forest Road 131; the distance is about 36 miles. This is an approximate figure, and road conditions can change seasonally. Take this into account when planning, especially if you want to combine the drive with a stay at the lake or the trailhead.
Canyon Landscapes and Rock Art
Activities in Nine Mile Canyon include hiking, biking, exploring side canyons and picnicking. Rock art and historic inscriptions are also found here. The canyon features a flat floor, rugged walls and rock outcroppings framed by pinyon pines and junipers. This brings outdoor activities and cultural discoveries together in a landscape of striking contrasts. Be sure to respect the boundaries of private property.
Cottonwood Glen in Nine Mile Canyon has a picnic area, restrooms and a historic homestead. Daddy Canyon has trailheads to rock art panels and hiking trails, as well as a parking lot and restrooms. The two locations offer different points of reference for planning: at Cottonwood Glen, the picnic area and homestead are the main draws, while Daddy Canyon provides access to panels and trails.
Routes Through Changing Landscapes
The Indian Canyon Scenic Byway runs through Ashley National Forest. Along the route, a varied succession of rock formations and vegetation types unfolds, from pinyon pines and junipers to aspens and Douglas firs. Duchesne lies at the end of the scenic byway. Kings Peak, Utah’s highest mountain, is located in the High Uintas in Duchesne County.
There are also several options for off-highway vehicle rides. Knight Hollow at Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation offers 100 acres of sandy hills for riding these vehicles. The Badlands ATV Trail starts at Avintaquin Campground along Reservation Ridge. The Wrinkles Road Loop Trail, by contrast, is an OHV route on public roads in southern Duchesne County. GPS or KML data is available to download to check the route. The descriptions thus distinguish between an area of sandy terrain, a trailhead and a route on public roads.
In the wider area around Duchesne and Roosevelt, the High Uintas Wilderness has 545 miles of trails accessible from several nearby trailheads. Access points and trail conditions can vary.
Local History and Culture
Myton Presbyterian Church is considered one of the oldest surviving buildings in Duchesne County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 18, 2017. In Myton, the Myton Memories Museum is a history museum; in Duchesne, the Pope House Museum is also classified as a history museum. The Tabiona-Camp Sacagawea DUP Cabin is a historic site in Tabiona.
A recurring event on the cultural calendar is the Duchesne County Fair: it takes place annually in early August in Duchesne City, although the exact dates vary from year to year. If this event fits your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant year. The landscape, outdoor activities and historic sites thus come together in planning a trip to Duchesne County.
Discover more destinations: Altamont, Duchesne, Sanpete County, Augusta County, Wayne County, Utah County, Rich County, Juab.
For the main travel overview: Utah.
