Emery County is located in southeastern Utah. It encompasses 4,452 square miles of richly diversified landscapes: spectacular red rock canyons, high alpine mountain meadows, pristine desert wilderness, delightful trout streams and lakes, challenging white water rivers, and rugged badlands.
Emery County also contains a wealth of prehistoric civilization treasures with a world-renowned dinosaur quarry, unique Native American rock art and artifacts, pioneer cabins, wild West outlaw hideouts, and part of the Old Spanish Trail.
Emery County’s economy was built and remains founded today on agriculture, livestock production, coal mining, and coal-fired electric power generation.
Emery County’s future belongs to those individuals that desire a rural, natural setting in which to live and raise a family, but who are also resourceful and innovative enough to produce goods and services for the worldwide marketplace. Welcome to Emery County!
History
Human habitation of the Emery County area dates back thousands of years and includes the people of the Desert Archaic Culture. This prehistoric culture was followed by the people of the Fremont Culture, who inhabited present-day Emery County from about A.D. 500 to about A.D. 1300. Evidence of both these cultures can still be found in artifacts and the numerous pictograph and petroglyph panels that are found at Temple Mountain Wash, Muddy Creek, Ferron Box, Black Dragon Canyon, Buckhorn Wash and in hidden canyons throughout the county. In historic times, Ute Indians occupied sites in what is now Castle Valley, and travelers on the Old Spanish trail marveled at the “castles” of Castle country as they passed through present day Emery County to and from California.
It wasn’t until 1875 that ranchers from Sanpete County recognized the settlement potential of the region. In the fall of 1877, young Latter-day Saint families were directed by Brigham Young to move into Castle Valley and take up homesteads in what would become the settlements of Huntington, Ferron, Castle Dale, and Orangeville.
Although livestock and farming remained the mainstay of the county’s economy throughout most of its history, two related events affected the region’s economic stability: the completion of the Denver and Rio Grande (D&RG) Railroad through Emery County in 1883, and the establishment of coal mines at Scofield, Castle Gate, and Sunnyside in Carbon County by the mid 1890s. The railroad provided transportation to other parts of the state and nation for locally grown produce and livestock, and the miners provided a booming local market for animals and vegetables. The mines also provided an opportunity for these early residents of Emery County to diversify their economy by working in the mines during the winter months and farming in their own fields during the summer. The D&RG also led to the establishment of the town of Green River in Emery County’s beautiful San Rafael Swell country. The history of this region can be followed in the John Wesley Powell Museum located in historic Green River.
Riding the crest of national economic growth during the 1970s Emery County’s population grew significantly as a result of the construction of large coal-fired power plants in Castle Dale and Huntington by Utah Power & Light Company (PacifiCorp) and the expansion of coal mines to fuel these important power plants.
Today’s Emery County offers an affordable, comfortable place to live and retire, a cornucopia of adventures to the vacationer, and unlimited opportunity to entrepreneurs astute enough to grasp its full potential.
Climate
Emery County’s Climate
One of the beauties of Emery County is its diverse climate. From warm, sunny days in the summer months to snowstorms in winter, a full range of temperatures and weather can be experienced. The summer sun, which brings roughly 150 clear days a year, gradually melts the snow pack brought during winter – which stays primarily in the mountains – but not before adventurers experience “the best snow on earth.” Both spring and fall consist of cooler days, light rain showers, and gusty breezes. Above all, the weather of Emery County is continually changing and citizens constantly learn to be prepared for the unexpected.
Four Seasons in Emery County
| Spring (March – May) | |
| Average Maximum Temperature (F) | 63 |
| Average Precipitation per month (in.) – Valleys | 0.56 |
| Average Precipitation per month (in.) – Mountains | 2.34 |
| Summer (June – August) | |
| Average Maximum Temperature (F) | 86 |
| Average Precipitation per month (in.) – Valleys | 0.76 |
| Average Precipitation per month (in.) – Mountains | 1.35 |
| Fall (September – November) | |
| Average Maximum Temperature (F) | 64 |
| Average Precipitation per month (in.) – Valleys | 0.73 |
| Average Precipitation per month (in.) – Mountains | 2.14 |
| Winter (December – February) | |
| Average Maximum Temperature (F) | 39 |
| Average Snowfall per month (in.) | 6.6 |
| Frost Data | |
| Average Last Spring Freeze | May 22 |
| Average First Fall Freeze | Sept 26 |
| Average Length of Growing Season | 128 days |
People
Population
| Total County Population | 10,860 |
| Huntington City | 2,131 |
| Unincorporated Areas | 1,846 |
| Castle Dale City | 1,657 |
| Ferron City | 1,623 |
| Orangeville City | 1,398 |
| Green River City | 868 |
| Cleveland Town | 508 |
| Elmo Town | 368 |
| Emery Town | 308 |
| Clawson Town | 153 |
Demographics
| Under Age 18 | 35.4% |
| Over Age 65 | 10.1% |
| Median Age | 30.1 |
| Persons Per Household | 3.1 |
| Persons Per Family | 3.5 |
| Female-Headed Families | 7.2% |
| High School Graduates | 84.2% |
| College Graduates | 11.6% |
| White | 92.5% |
| Hispanic | 5.2% |
| American Indian | 0.7% |
| Asian | 0.3% |
| Black | 0.2% |
| Pacific Islanders | 0.1% |
| Other | 3.1% |
Obtain daily weather information at www.ewcd.org
Communities
Castle Dale City – County Seat
61 East 100 North Castle Dale, UT 84513
453-381-2115
Mayor Neal Peacock
Clawson Town
200 South Main Street Clawson, UT 84516
435-384-2724
Mayor Carey Bloomer
Cleveland Town
100 West Main ST Cleveland, UT 84518
435-653-2310
Mayor Chris Parkins
Elmo Town
15 South 100 East Elmo, UT 84521
Mayor Kirt Rasmussen
Emery Town
15 South Center Street Emery, UT 84522
435-286-2417
Mayor Mistie Christiansen
Ferron City
20 East Main ST Ferron, UT 84523
435-384-2350
Mayor Gil Conover
Green River City
240 East Main Street Green River, UT 84525
435-564-3448
Email: grcity@etv.net
Huntington City
20 South Main Street Huntington, UT 84528
435-687-2436
Mayor Hilary Gordon
Orangeville City
5 North Main Street Orangeville, UT 84537
435-748-2651
Mayor Bart Cox
Education
Emery County School District Office 435-687-9846 | Web Page
Elementary Schools
Huntington Elementary School 435-687-9954 | Webpage
Castle Dale Elementary School 435-381-5221 | Webpage
Ferron Elementary School 435-384-2383 | Webpage
Cottonwood Elementary School (Orangeville) 435-748-2481 | Webpage
Book Cliff Elementary School (Green River) 435-564-3461 | Webpage
Cleveland Elementary School 435-653-2235 | Webpage
Junior High Schools
San Rafael Jr. High School (Ferron) 435-384-2335 | Web Page
Canyon View Jr. High School (Huntington) 435-687-2265 | Web Page
High Schools
Emery High School (Castle Dale) 435-381-2689 | Web Page
Green River High School 435-564-3461 | Web Page
Higher Education
Utah State University – Emery County Extension 435-381-5183 | Website
Utah State University Eastern(Price) 435-637-2120 | Utah State University Eastern
Community Facilities
Swimming Pool
Castle Dale 435-381-5298 | 61 East 100 North
Recreation Buildings
Castle Dale 435-381-2108 | 75 South 400 East
Huntington 435-687-9042 | 625 North 200 West
Libraries
Castle Dale 435-381-2554 | 115 North 100 East
Cleveland 435-653-2204 | 45 West Main Street
Elmo 435-653-2558 | 100 East Main Street
Emery 435-286-2474 | 100 North Center Street
Ferron 435-384-2637 | 55 North 200 West
Green River 435-564-3349 | 85 South Long Street
Huntington 435-687-9590 | 92 South Main Street
Orangeville 435-748-2726 | 125 South Main Street
Senior Citizen Centers
Castle Dale 435-381-2422 | 85 North 200 East
Emery 435-286-2219 | 217 South 200 East
Ferron 435-384-2243 | 190 North 300 West
Huntington 435-687-2502 | 176 West 100 North
Green River 435-564-8236 | 123 South Long Street
Community Centers
Green River 435-564-8221 | 165 South Broadway
Rodeo Grounds
Castle Dale Rodeo Arena
Ferron Race Track
Huntington Rodeo Arena
Healthcare
Emery Medical Center
435.381.2305 | 90 West Main Street, Castle Dale
Emery Physical Therapy
435.381.5038 | 90 West Main Street, Castle Dale
Emery County Care and Rehabilitation Center
435.384.2301 | 455 West Mill Road, Ferron
Southeastern Utah Health District
435.381.2252 | 25 West Main Street, Castle Dale
Green River Medical Center
435.564.3434 | 305 West Main Street, Green River
Castle Chiropractic Center
435.381.5432 | 46 East Main Street, Castle Dale
Castleview Hospital
435.637.4800 | 300 North Hospital Drive, Price
Eastern Utah Surgical Center
435.637.1744 | 200 North Fairgrounds Road, Price
Dentists
Todd R. Huntington 435.381.2001 | 410 East Main Street, Castle Dale
Shawn K. Leonard 435.381.2447 | 15 East 600 North, Castle Dale
Kent B. McKell 435.381.2166 | 375 North Center Street, Castle Dale
Goodwin & Miller 435.564.3434 | 305 West Main Street, Green River
Optometrists
Steven O. Tuttle 435.381.2040 | 190 East Main Street, Castle Dale
Culture & Arts
Museums
Museum of the San Rafael 435.381.5252
Pioneer Museum 435.381.5154
John Wesley Powell River History Museum 435.564.3427
College of Eastern Utah Museum 800.815.9949
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry 435.636.3600
Indian Rock Art
Hundreds of images have been discovered in Nine Mile Canyon and throughout the San Rafael Swell
Emery County Community Theater
Several full-script plays are performed yearly
Conn Anderson: 435.381.5505
Emery County Fair
The best small county fair in Utah that provides wholesome entertainment to residents and others through art and craft displays, local talent, and shared company
https://www.emerycountychamber.com/
Emery County Arts Council
This organization provides support and encouragement to local artists
Karen Truman: 435.384.2896
Jennifer Fauver: 435.748.5559
Piano Teachers’ Association
Union of 6-8 piano teachers that provides teacher support and sponsors honor recitals and piano festivals
Elise Tuttle: 435.748.5781
San Rafael Folk Art Festival
Takes place during Emery County Fair time. Atlatl throwing, Scottish festival, cowboy poetry, mountain men, and many more demonstrations. Held at the Museum of the San Rafael.
Adventure
Horseback and Mule Riding
– Mountain and desert trails are found throughout Emery County
Rapelling
– Cliffs exist all over in the San Rafael Swell
Rock Climbing
– Over 500 climbs characterize the San Rafael Swell
Canyoneering
– Hundreds of hikes are available in the San Rafael Swell
Kayaking/Canoeing/Rafting
– Class V – Rapids in Black Box
– Class V – Price River
– Class IV – San Rafael River, Green River;
– Class III – Muddy Creek, Uintah River
– Class II – Nine Mile River, White River
– Recreational kayaking on all lakes
Bouldering
– Joe’s Valley is world renowned for any season sandstone bouldering
– Triassic has winter, late fall, and early spring sandstone bouldering
– Huntington Canyon provides spring, fall, and summer sandstone bouldering
Basejumping
Possible jumps are all over in the desert areas
ATV Riding
– Riders from many parts of the nation ride 14 different routes in the annual Jamboree.
– The Arapeen Trail has over 280 trail miles and the San Rafael Trail is made of about 800 trail miles
Mountain Biking
– San Rafael Swell Mountain Bike Festival in Green River is in May.
– September and October bring the San Rafael Fall Festival at the Wedge Overlook
– Friendship Cruise: A 180 mile boat trip from Green River to Moab (takes place on Memorial Day weekend)
Jeeping
– Rock Crawling is possible in the San Rafael Swell and at the base of Cedar Mountain
Recreation
Additional Info: Emery County Recreation Website
STATE PARKS
Green River State Park
Goblin Valley State Park
Huntington State Park
Millsite State Park
NATIONAL PARK
Capitol Reef National Park
NATIONAL FOREST
Manti-La Sal National Forest
BLUE RIBBON FISHING
Price River (Lower Fish Creek)
Green River
Huntington Creek
Huntington Creek Left Fork
Huntington Creek Right Fork
SPORTS AFIELD
Big game, Black Bear, Cougar, Falconry, Furbearer, Upland game, Waterfowl
CAMPING
Forest Campground Information: 637-2817
Bureau of Land Management Information: 646-3600
State Parks
Green River: 564-3633
Huntington: 687-2491
Millsite: 384-2552
FLYING TOURS
Offered at both Green River and Huntington Airports
BOATING
Joe’s Valley Reservoir
Huntington Reservoir
Millsite Reservoir
Electric Lake
Green River
GOLF
Millsite Golf Course
Green River Golf Course
SWIMMING
Castle Dale Pool
SNOWMOBILING
Hundreds of miles of trails up Manti-La Sal National Forest and Joe’s Valley
SNOWBOARDING
Visit “The Run” in Huntington Canyon
RODEO
Desertview Pro Rodeo
CRC Heritage Days Rodeo
Available in the Communities
Tennis at Emery High School
Baseball and softball fields
Racquetball at Food Ranch in Orangeville