Green River Scenic Overlook

The Cub Creek Valley is nestled between Split and Blue Mountains towering on both sides.

NPS Photo/Conrad Provan

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Scenic View/Photo Spot

This overlook provides a panoramic view of the Cub Creek Valley, which lies between Split Mountain on the left and Blue Mountain on the right. The influence of water in this dry environment is easy to see. The native cottonwood trees shading the campground below depend on the Green River, as do the irrigated crops in the field outside the monument across the river. Just a short distance away from the river’s life-giving waters, sparse grasses, shrubs such as sagebrush and greasewood, and a few small juniper trees reveal the true desert nature of this land. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, rain and snow provide less than 10 inches of water a year. Plants must conserve water or perish. Few cactus species can tolerate subzero winter temperatures but prickly pear cacti are found here, though they are small and scarce.