Hike the Red Canyon Rim Trail at Flaming Gorge

If you only have time for a quick trip to the overlook, the main network of paths leave directly north from the Red Canyon Visitor Center and lead to a few viewpoints that provide impressive vistas to the east and west. For those looking for more solitude away from pavement, the Red Canyon Rim trail heads southeast from the visitor center toward Green Lakes and Canyon Rim campground, and is almost guaranteed to deliver awesome views of canyons and wildlife alike. The trail forms a lollipop loop that is almost 5 miles one way. You can either hike it as an out and back, or leave a car at Red Canyon Lodge or the shorter Canyon Rim Campground. The trail is also open to mountain bikes.

At an elevation of 7400 feet, it's a perfect quick-hitter weekend getaway. Dispersed camping is available along the forest roads of Highway 44, or you can snag improved sites at the Canyon Rim Campground.

The visitor center is open from mid-May to mid-September, and not coincidentally, that is when you'll find the biggest crowds. In off-season the road is open as long as snow permits, which means it's not impossible to get the sunset all to yourself.