Last updated: August 1, 2022
Place
Gates of Lodore Trail Stop 1
NPS Photo/Conrad Provan
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Scenic View/Photo Spot
From its origin high in the mountains of the Wind River Range in Wyoming, the Green River rushes through steep-walled canyons and traverses sage-covered valleys. After emerging from the Flaming Gorge Dam, the river wanders placidly through an open valley beginning 30 miles upstream from here. Early trappers and traders to the area named this valley Browns Hole after Baptiste Brown, a French-Canadian trapper. He choose this area to settle because of its mild winters and plentiful beaver pelts.
Travelers that passed through the area later included John Wesley Powell on his historic float through the Grand Canyon. Powell gave the area its current name of Browns Park. However, most local cattle ranchers still referred to the valley as Browns Hole until a spirited young Elizabeth Bassett convinced them to adopt what she termed the much more “eloquent” name of Browns Park. Because of its isolation, Browns Park served as home to not only ranchers but also outlaws including Butch Cassidy, Matt Warner, and the notorious bounty hunter Tom Horn. Today, Browns Park remains sparsely populated by people, but it provides critical habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Travelers that passed through the area later included John Wesley Powell on his historic float through the Grand Canyon. Powell gave the area its current name of Browns Park. However, most local cattle ranchers still referred to the valley as Browns Hole until a spirited young Elizabeth Bassett convinced them to adopt what she termed the much more “eloquent” name of Browns Park. Because of its isolation, Browns Park served as home to not only ranchers but also outlaws including Butch Cassidy, Matt Warner, and the notorious bounty hunter Tom Horn. Today, Browns Park remains sparsely populated by people, but it provides critical habitat for a variety of wildlife.