Discover

One thousand years ago, the valleys along what is now Interstate 70 near Sevier, Utah, were home to the largest community of Fremont Indians ever discovered. Their rock art and structures are still visible in the canyons of Fremont Indian State Park. A film, artifacts, hands-on activities, rock art tours, and exhibits reveal the lives of these Fremont Indians. More than a museum, Fremont Indian State Park also offers camping and access to the Paiute ATV Trail.

While there is no evidence that Paiute Indians ever lived in Clear Creek Canyon, they traveled seasonally through the canyon since about A.D. 1400. They used the canyon and its tributaries for hunting, and gathering seeds and pine nuts. The trail through Clear Creek Canyon was the only route between hunting areas on different sides of the Pahvant and Tushar Mountain ranges. A number of the rock art panels within the park are attributed to the Paiute and have inspired park signs and trail guides.

The Paiute trail through Clear Creek Canyon was later used by others. In his explorations, Jedediah Smith came through the canyon in 1826. The trail was improved into a wagon road in 1872. A toll of 25 cents per wagon was charged to use the road for the next 25 years. In 1877, the first year-round homesteaders, John Smiley Lott and his two wives, settled in the canyon. A school was built for the Lott grandchildren in 1895. In the 1890s, gold was discovered at Kimberly, making Clear Creek Canyon an important route to the railroad at Sevier. During the 20th century, farming was marginal at best, and most families had employment outside of the canyon. The construction of I-70 in the 1980s caused most inhabitants to leave.

Opened to the public as a state park in 1987.

Park Elevation: 5,900 feet