John Jarvie Historic Site
Explore where the wild west is still wild, where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out from the long arms of the law, where traders made a mint, and where a business complemented the turn-of-the-century frontier life in Brown's Park.
In 1880, John Jarvie, a Scotsman built a ranch along the Green River to offer store goods to those that lived or traveled in this wild territory. Jarvie chose this location due to a naturally occurring river crossing which was used by Indians, fur trappers, travelers, and local residents. At its height, the Jarvie ranch operation included a store, post office, river ferry, and cemetery.
At the historic ranch, you’ll find the stone house, which is a one-room, rectangular building. It was built by outlaw Jack Bennett, using masonry skills he learned in prison. This is also the museum where displays decorate the walls and a video of the history of the ranch can be viewed. You’ll also get to duck inside the two-room dugout where John and his wife Nellie first lived. It is built into a hillside with a south-facing entrance overlooking the Green River. You can stroll over to the blacksmith shop and corral, which were constructed using hand-hewn railroad ties which drifted down from Green River, Wyoming, during high water. Finally, you get to pretend shop at the general store where Mr. Jarvie sold goods, which is a replica of the original which was built in 1881. It is furnished with many artifacts from the Jarvie period and also contains the original safe which was robbed from the men that murdered John Jarvie.
Developed camping is available at Bridge Hollow or Indian Crossing campgrounds nestled along the Green River, adjacent to the ranch. There you’ll have several launch points for floating the Green River. If you're an angler, you won't want to miss the blue ribbon fishing opportunity from the Flaming Gorge Dam down to the Colorado State line. All campsites within the Indian Crossing and Bridge Hollow campgrounds are first come first served.
- Hours
Closes seasonally. Reopens May 1, 2025.
10 AM - 3 PM
Thursday through Saturday
- Directions
Address: Browns Park Rd, Dutch John, UT 84023
From Vernal, UT (via Clay Basin)
North 55 miles on Highway 191 (just over Wyoming border)
East 22 miles on gravel/paved road, including 2 miles at a 17% grade
Follow signs for Jarvie Ranch/Browns ParkFrom Vernal, UT (via Crouse Canyon)
**Not recommended for RV travel. Extremely narrow road.North on Vernal Ave to 500 N
East 25 miles to Diamond Mtn and Browns Park turnoff
North 16 miles on a dirt road to Browns Park
Follow signs for Jarvie Ranch/Browns ParkFrom Maybell, CO
East on Highway 318 - 70 miles of paved and 8 miles of gravel road
Follow signs for Jarvie Ranch/Browns Park- Contact Us
Jarvie Park Ranger (on-site)
for information please contact:Vernal Field Office
170 South 500 East
Vernal, UT 84078Phone: (435) 781-4400
Fax: (435) 781-4410
Email: blm_ut_vn_mail@blm.gov**John Jarvie Historic Ranch is not located at the above address.
- Jarvie Fest
June 7, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
BLM welcomes families and friends to enjoy family fun at the beautiful historic property of old-time homesteader, John Jarvie.
Jarvie Fest creates an experience for kids and their families to connect to the pioneer heritage of Northern Utah. There will be a wide-range of hands-on activities that the whole family can participate in. Guests can learn about the lives of homesteaders in Browns Park.
Phone
Addresses
Geographic Coordinates
Directions
From Vernal, Utah (via Clay Basin): head North on Highway 191 for 55 miles to the Wyoming-Utah border. Turn east onto Clay Basin road and travel for 22 miles. After descending into Browns Park via Jesse Ewing Canyon, turn right at Red Creek Road and travel for approximately 2 miles until you arrive at John Jarvie Historic Site.