Duchesne is the gateway community of Duchesne County and is located on Highway 40, adjacent to Starvation State Park and Reservoir

The settlement of Duchesne County is unique in Utah history, for unlike much of the state, it did not occur under the direction of Brigham Young or the Mormon church. Rather, it was settled by individuals who obtained 160 acres under the federal Homestead Act. Homesteaders were required to prove that they intended to farm the land. After five years of living on the land, making improvements, and paying $1.25 per acre homesteaders were given title to their homesteads. Much of present-day Duchesne County was once part of the sprawling Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. The Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation lies within and adjacent to the county boundaries, and there are many joint ventures between county and tribal governments.  County leaders and residents carry on in the spirit of their pioneer ancestors, building for the future and fostering innovation and excellence in schools, business, industry and government. Today most of the county is owned or controlled by individual Indians or the Ute Indian Tribe.

The State of Utah is named after the Utes or Yutas, a spanish deriature. The Uintah and Ouray reservaton is located approximately 150 miles east of Salt Lake City on US Highway 40 and 40 miles west of the Utah/Colorado State Line. The million plus acres of tribal lands of the Uintah and Ouray reservation includes a wide variety of terrain. Snow-capped mountains, sparkling streams, high meadows and lakes, and sagebrush flats providing a breathtaking backdrop for a variety of recreational opportunities. Tribal lands are known for abundant wildlife and excellent hunting and fishing.

Starvation State Park & Reservoir

The reservoir at Starvation Park sports 3,500 acres of surface water when it's full, 23 miles of shoreline, a day activity area, seven camping areas, and nearly 40 acres of land for ATV use in the Night Hollow area. Combine this with year-round fishing, a developed boat ramp, a fish cleaning area, recreational facilities, 21 picnic sites, a paved bike and hiking trail and a stretch of sandy beach area and it is easy to understand why this is a popular place to relax. Four miles northwest of Duchesne on Highway 40.

Starvation State Park Map

The Utes

The Utes know adversity well. Following several armed conflicts with the Mormon settlers in 1861, at the request of the Mormons through the Treaty of Spanish Fork, the Utes were forced by executive order of Presdent Abraham Lincoln to leave their beloved, Provo Valley and relocate in the Uintah Basin. In 1881, another reservation, the Uncompagre Reservatin was established adjacent to the Uintah Reservation and two other bands from Colorado were removed to Utah.

The Utes (tribal membership) operate their own tribal government and oversee approximately 1.3 million acres of trust land. Tribal headquarters are in Fort Duchesne, Utah. The tribe is developing its resources and pursuing its own destiny in cooperation with various government entities in the Uintah Basin, includingthe State of Utah.

Annual Ute Pow Wow @ Fort Duchesne, Utah

The Utes are a proud people and enjoy sharing their cultural heritage with those who are interested in learning. During the year, ceremonial dances are performed in major reservation communities. Pow Wows are full of color because of the regalia worn by the dancers, however, it is important to remember that the regalia are not costumes. Every part of the Pow wow regalia has a special meaning to the dancers and is often hand made by a loved one. Gloria Thompson, the chair of this years Northern Ute Pow Wow says

"the best way to describe a Native American pow wow to somone who has never had the chance to attend is that it's a celebration of who we are. It's all a celebration of life for our people to participate in the Pow wow. It's a ray of beautiful colors, the more shinier the more beautiful. There is color and music and friendship and amid the smiles and good times, a deep purpose and meaning"

The Ute Pow Wow is held annually at the Tribal Headquarters in Fort Duchesne. Preparations for this years celebration began in November last year. The early planning allowing organizers to sign up the drum groups that are in high demand on the summer Pow wow circuit. Every Fourth of July weekend and showcases a rodeo as well as native arts and crafts. At this event visitors can experience dancing and singing competitions for individual and group dances, as well as competitions for elaborately decorated pow-wow regalia. Visitors can also enjoy traditional American Indian foods, and browse through booths of both traditional and contemporary artwork. The Pow Wow can be found just off Highway 40 near the turnoff to Ft Duchesne.

The Pow wow isn't complete without plenty of food sold at concession booths and vendors selling authentic Native American goods'. Native American children start dancing very early and visitors will see kids who are just barely able to walk out there and mothers carrying their children who are too little to walk.

Dinosaur Diamond Partnership