Most of our guests come from Salt Lake City, Vernal, or Rock Springs. A few drive in from Denver. Wherever you’re starting, here’s what to expect on the way to The Pinnacle at Flaming Gorge.
Address: 265 W Highway 43, Manila, Utah 84046
GPS coordinates: 40.9883° N, 109.7203° W
Phone: (801) 823-9314
Book your room at The Pinnacle | Reserve the boat
Drive Times at a Glance
| From | Distance | Drive Time | Best Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 220 miles | 3 hr 30 min | I-80 east → WY-414 south → UT-43 |
| Vernal, UT | 65 miles | 1 hr 15 min | US-191 north → UT-44 west |
| Rock Springs, WY | 100 miles | 1 hr 45 min | US-191 south → WY-530 |
| Denver, CO | 380 miles | 6 hr | I-70 west → I-15 north → SLC route |
| Provo, UT | 260 miles | 4 hr | I-15 north → I-80 east → SLC route |
| Vernal Regional Airport (VEL) | 65 miles | 1 hr 15 min | Same as Vernal |
| Salt Lake City Intl (SLC) | 220 miles | 3 hr 30 min | Same as SLC |
The honest read: coming from anywhere west, take the SLC/Evanston route. It’s the fastest and the road is good year-round. From the south, the Vernal route through Ashley National Forest is the most beautiful drive in northeastern Utah. Add 30 minutes and do this one if you want the views. From the east, Rock Springs is your friend. Long, open, fast, almost no traffic.
From Salt Lake City, Utah (220 miles, 3 hr 30 min)
Most of our guests come this way. It’s the fastest, the easiest, and the road is plowed all winter.
- Head east on I-80 out of Salt Lake City toward Park City and Evanston, Wyoming
- Take Exit 34 at Evanston, WY
- Follow Wyoming Highway 414 south through Mountain View and Lonetree
- At the junction near Manila, continue south on Utah Highway 43
- Look for The Pinnacle on your left as you enter Manila
Tip: Stop in Mountain View, WY, for gas if you’re getting low. There’s almost nothing between Lonetree and Manila for fuel options. Fill up before you commit.
From Vernal, Utah (65 miles, 1 hr 15 min) — The Scenic One
This is the prettiest drive in Utah that nobody talks about. If you have an extra 30 minutes, take this route even if it’s not the closest to where you started.
- Head north on US-191 out of Vernal
- Climb through the Ashley National Forest on the Flaming Gorge–Uintas National Scenic Byway
- Stop at any of the pullouts. Red Canyon Overlook is non-negotiable. Sheep Creek Geological Loop is worth a detour if you have time.
- At the junction near Flaming Gorge Dam, turn west on UT-44
- Continue through Dutch John to Manila
- The Pinnacle is on Highway 43, just past the post office
Tip: This route hits over 8,000 feet of elevation through the forest. In winter (November to April), check road conditions before driving and be ready for snow above the dam.
From Rock Springs, Wyoming (100 miles, 1 hr 45 min)
Coming from the east on I-80? This is your route.
- Drive south on US-191 through the high desert
- At the junction with Wyoming Highway 530, head south
- Continue through Manila to The Pinnacle on Highway 43
Tip: This stretch is open, fast, and the cell service is terrible. Download offline maps before you leave Rock Springs. The drive feels like nothing, then you crest a hill and the gorge opens up below you. Pull over. Take the picture. We’ll wait.
From Denver, Colorado (380 miles, 6 hours)
Two ways to do this. The fast highway way, or the scenic mountain way.
Fast (6 hours): Take I-70 west to Grand Junction, then I-15 north to Salt Lake City, then follow the SLC route from there.
Scenic (6 hours, but you’ll want to stop): Take I-70 west to Rifle, then north on CO-13 to Craig. From Craig, head west on US-40 to Maybell, then north on CO-318 into Utah, which becomes UT-44 near the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Continue west through Dutch John to Manila.
Tip: If you’re towing a boat, the highway route is way easier. The mountain route through Colorado has steep grades that punish trailers and trucks.
From Provo or Utah Valley (260 miles, 4 hours)
- Drive I-15 north to Salt Lake City
- Take I-80 east toward Evanston, WY
- Follow the Salt Lake City directions from there
Alternate summer route: Take US-40 east through Heber City and Duchesne to Vernal, then follow the Vernal route north. Adds 30 minutes but avoids SLC traffic and runs through some of the prettiest mountain country in Utah.
The Closest Airports
Vernal Regional Airport (VEL) is 65 miles south of Manila and the closest commercial airport. SkyWest runs limited daily flights from Salt Lake City and Denver. Rental cars are available on-site.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is 220 miles west and the nearest major hub. Delta connects most of the country to SLC with direct flights. All major rental car brands operate there. If you’re flying in from out of state, this is almost always your best bet.
You’ll want a vehicle either way. There is no rideshare in Manila and no shuttle service from either airport.
Road Conditions and What to Expect
UT-43 and UT-44 are well-maintained two-lane paved roads. Both are open year-round.
Summer (May to October): Conditions are excellent. Peak season traffic is on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but even then you won’t hit real delays.
Winter (November to April): The stretch through Ashley National Forest on UT-44 climbs to over 8,000 feet. Snow, ice, and reduced visibility are common. Snow tires or chains are smart from December through March. WY-414 is well-plowed but can drift in heavy wind.
Always check before you drive in winter:
- Utah DOT road conditions: udottraffic.utah.gov or dial 511
- Wyoming DOT: wyoroad.info or 511 (Wyoming)
Setting Your GPS
Plug in: 265 W Highway 43, Manila, UT 84046
GPS coordinates: 40.9883° N, 109.7203° W
Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all route to The Pinnacle accurately. We’re on the north side of Highway 43 with our Pinnacle sign visible from the road. Coming in after dark? The illuminated sign is the cue.
Once You Hit Manila, You’re Almost Here
Manila is small. Like, really small. About 500 people. You’ll know you’ve arrived.
We’re located on Highway 43 less than a mile from the Manila post office. Once you’re in town:
| Landmark | Distance from The Pinnacle |
|---|---|
| Manila post office | 0.5 miles |
| Lucerne Valley Marina (boat launch) | 5 miles east |
| Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center | 12 miles east |
| Cedar Springs Marina | 15 miles east |
| Red Canyon Overlook | 20 minutes east on UT-44 |
| Dutch John, UT | 8 miles east |
If you get lost in Manila, that’s somewhat impressive. Call us at (801) 823-9314 and we’ll talk you in.
After-Hours Check-In
Front desk is open daily during the season. If you’re rolling in late, no sweat. We send after-hours check-in instructions when you book. Klaus and Petra (your innkeepers) are on-site and we don’t lock anyone out.
Ready to Plan the Trip?
Book your room at The Pinnacle
Reserve the boat (2023 Lund 1975 Tyee, $800/day)
2026 water levels and drawdown status
Questions about getting here? Call or text (801) 823-9314 or email sales@pinnacleflaminggorge.com. We answer fast.