One of the best things about a Utah summer is the sweet, juicy watermelon. Take one home and put it in your fridge, or better yet, take one on your outdoor adventure and plunge it into an icy mountain creek. Give it an hour or two, then cut it up for the sweetest, coldest treat of the summer. The best place to get your watermelon? The little town of Green River, of course!
The tiny town of Green River only has around 1,000 residents, but it’s a close-knit community surrounded by the natural beauty of the San Rafael Swell, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Goblin Valley State Park.
Stephanie Joneson/Google
Located along I-70 in the eastern part of Utah near the Utah/Colorado border, it’s the last town travelers see before they undertake one of the most desolate stretches of highway in the country - there are 107 miles without services between Green River and Salina.
Google Learn more about this lonely stretch of road; read our feature article here.
Founded in 1876, Green River boomed briefly as a railroad town, then later as a mining town.
Loco Steve/flickr
It’s set against some picturesque country, and the beautiful Green River runs right through it. Nowadays, Green River is known for its outdoor recreation, but it’s also well-known for something else…
jodene e/flickr
…its sweet, juicy Green River watermelons.
Melon Days/Facebook
By mid-July the melons are ripe, and the farmers stands are overflowing with melons. In addition to watermelons, you’ll find a variety of other melons like cantaloupe, honeydew, canari, and lambkin.
Kristina D.C. Hoeppner/flickr
You’ll definitely want to plan a trip to Green River in mid-September for the Melon Days festivities.
Melon Days/Facebook
The town hosts a parade…
Melon Days/Facebook
…Melon Games, carnival rides and bouncy houses…
Melon Days/Facebook
…and a town dinner. Other festivities include a car show, princess and queen pageants, a Melon Run 5k, pancake breakfast, softball tournament, and concert.
Melon Days/Facebook
This year’s Melon Days festival is scheduled for September 14th and 15th, and it’s fun for the whole family!
Melon Days/Facebook
Visit Green River to pick up some watermelons, and watch for them to arrive at your local grocery store.
Melon Days/Facebook
You probably already knew that Green River is the go-to place in Utah for watermelon, but did you also know that it’s known for its truly epic burgers?
Stephanie Joneson/Google
Learn more about this lonely stretch of road; read our feature article here.
Loco Steve/flickr
jodene e/flickr
Melon Days/Facebook
Kristina D.C. Hoeppner/flickr
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