A large railroad yard and shop facilities were built south of the downtown area and an imposing brick depot eventually replaced the original wood frame building. The historic downtown is located immediately north of the tracks on Railroad Avenue and Flaming Gorge Way. The history of Green River and Sweetwater County is told at the Sweetwater Historical Museum located in the Sweetwater County Courthouse on Flaming Gorge Way. The City of Green River takes its name from the Green River which flows through the center of the city. Expedition Island, the Green Belt Nature Area, and the Scotts Bottom Nature Area are found along the river.
Expedition Island is found immediately south west of the railroad yards.
The island was the point where John Wesley Powell began his expedition down the Green and Colorado Rivers which culminated in his trip through the Grand Canyon. Downstream from Expedition Island on the south bank of the river is the Green Belt Nature Area. This area contains nature paths which run along the edge of the river. Water fowl and other types of birds nest in the tall grass and bushes which grow throughout the area. Further to the south of the southern edge of the river is Scotts Bottom Nature Area.