Green River

Named for the river that runs through town, Green River, Utah, and its namesake are historically important. Early Indians used the river for centuries. The Old Spanish Trail also crossed the river, and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad bridged the river here in 1883. Some say that the " green" refers to the color of the water; others claim it's the vegetation along the riverbank. Another story reports that it was named after a mysterious trapper named Mr. Green. Whatever the etymology, Green River remains a sleepy little town, and a nice break from some of the more "hip" tourist towns in southern Utah. Though at first blush it seems mostly shut down, there is still a real community under the surface. At any rate, it remains a good place from which to base trips.