In 1869, long before the Green River was dammed, the one armed Major John Wesley Powell embarked with ten men in four small boats from the town of Green River.  He explored the Green and Colorado Rivers to the south, eventually navigating his way through the Grand Canyon.

Just a short distance south of Green River you'll find Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, with its vibrant blue water in a setting of multicolored cliffs and strange rock formations.  The area was named by Powell on his trip down the Green.

On the interstate west of Green River lies the massive Little America complex.  In the 1890's sheepherder S. M. Covey endured a dreadful winter alone near here.  He promised himself that if he survived he would build a safe refuge where travelers could escape the wind and snow.  In the 1930's Covey returned to do just that, taking inspiration for his way station's name from Admiral Byrd's Little America in Antarctica.  There are many Little Americas now, but this was the first.