Home to Flaming Gorge, and is known as the smallest county in Utah. What do you know about Daggett County?

Quick Facts

Daggett County is located on the northeastern border of the state, next to Wyoming and Colorado. Daggett County is part of the Uintah Mountains. Daggett County makes up 721 square miles of land, and in the year 2018, the population was 980. Based on the population, Daggett County is the smallest county in Utah. The county seat is Manilla.

History

Daggett County is named after Ellsworth Daggett. For years, Daggett County was considered a place where diamonds could be found. It wasn’t until the  1890’s when Ellsworth Daggett and other came and developed irrigation in the area, making the area livable. Before irrigation, fur trappers, explorers and Indians would pass through and use the land.

Flaming Gorge

“On May 24, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell and his crew of nine men began a daring three-month expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers. On May 27, three days after they set out from Green River, Wyoming, they reached the Uinta Mountains in their small wooden boats and were impressed by the beauty of the sun’s reflection off the brilliant red gorge that looked from a distance as if it were on fire. Powell and his men named the canyon ‘Flaming Gorge’ then continued their successful trip downstream completing their journey in the late summer.”

Construction on the Flaming George Dam started in June 1958, and was completed in November 1962. The Dam is 502 feet high from the bedrock.

Towns

Daggett County consists of two cities/towns; Manilla and Dutch John.

Top Sights

Browns Park, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Flaming Gorge Dam, John Jarvie Historic Ranch, Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center, and Browne Lake.