Vernal: Your Easy, Outdoor Adventure Destination

Vernal’s location in a fossil-rich landscape has earned the area its well-deserved moniker “Dinosaurland.” There’s no denying that dinosaur bones are why many people visit this town in northeastern Utah. But the area also offers a variety of other adventures for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. From rafting the Green River, to stand-up paddleboarding among red rocks, to rock climbing on a new Via ferrata course, Vernal makes adventuring effortless, offering easy access to the region's natural wonders.

River Rafting for the Whole Family

The Green River flows for 730 miles through Utah, from the Wyoming border in the north to the confluence with the Colorado River south of Moab. As Utah’s second-longest river, it’s known for offering some of the most thrilling and scenic rafting in the Western U.S.

For a one-day river adventure, take a trip through the dramatic Split Mountain Gorge in Dinosaur National Monument. Suitable for children ages six years and older, this short but exciting adventure covers nine miles and includes Class II and III rapids like Moonshine and SOB. You’ll float under towering cliffs that are tilted almost vertically in some places, due to a period of uplift that forced the river to cut through the mountains. In fact, when John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition came through Split Mountain, he asked, “Why, Green River, did you choose to cut through these two mountains rather than go around them?”

Hiking & Boating for Recreation and Relaxation

Red Fleet State Park is often referred to as “Little Lake Powell,” and with good reason. The park’s main attraction, Red Fleet Reservoir, is surrounded by sandstone cliffs and secluded sandy beaches. The stunning red rock scenery provides a perfect backdrop for boating, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, swimming and picnicking. Even if your schedule doesn’t permit a whole day at Red Fleet, stop by the park to have lunch at one of the scenic covered picnic tables.

For the dinosaur enthusiasts in your group, take a hike on the park’s Dinosaur Trackway. The 1.5-mile trail leads to dinosaur tracks believed to be more than 200 million years old. The best time to see the tracks is early morning or late afternoon, as they can be hard to see when the sun is directly overhead.

Red Fleet State Park is typically open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the summer, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter. There is a day-use entry fee per vehicle; Utah State Park annual passes are also accepted.

An Intro to Rock Climbing

Have you always wanted to try outdoor rock climbing, but you weren’t really sure where to start? Via ferrata, which means “iron path” in Italian, is a special route that includes metal rungs, bridges, ladders and a steel cable that lets you safely climb, even if you have no experience. Think of it as a cross between hiking, climbing and canyoneering. If you’ve ever hiked in places like Natural Bridges National Monument or Corona Arch, you’ve probably used similar metal ladders and cables to get to a high point on the trail.

The concept of Via ferrata started in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains during World War I when soldiers needed to navigate steep terrain. Today, the routes are developed as a safe option for recreational climbing and are found all over the world. In summer 2025, Utah’s first public Via Ferrata course will open in Ashley Gorge, a steep-walled canyon in Ashley National Forest located 12 miles from Vernal. Dyno Outfitters is taking reservations for guided trips beginning in August 2025. The six-hour, fully guided trip includes all equipment, instructions and coaching.

Mountain Biking for All Skill Levels

The first place that usually comes to mind when you think of mountain biking in Utah is Moab. But in recent years, Vernal has become Utah’s up-and-coming singletrack destination. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the McCoy Flats Mountain Bike Trail System west of Vernal includes 35 miles of trails for all skill levels. (Read: Top 5 Rules of the Ride: How to Mountain Bike Responsibly on Utah Trails)

Interconnecting loops offer beginner-level rides as well as more technical biking in rocky sections. A popular option is the 6-mile loop that includes the “Got Milk” and the “And Cookies” trails. The trail includes a few sandy sections and plenty of red rocks to make it a scenic ride for beginner to intermediate-level bikers. More advanced trails like “Fire Sale” and “Slippery When Wet” offer more steep climbs and descents. Altitude Cycle on Main Street in Vernal offers mountain bike rentals, repairs and supplies.

McCoy Flats is on open BLM land, so dispersed camping is free. There are plans for a new campground near the trails that will include 20-23 sites, picnic tables and some shade structures.

History & Culture When you Need a Break from Adventure

When you’re ready for a break from action-packed adventures, the Vernal area offers several options for slower-paced — but still fun — experiences.

Utah Field House of Natural History

This museum and state park right on Vernal’s Main Street has something for family members of all ages, from exhibits on the area’s geology to scavenger hunts and dinosaur statues. Many visitors say they stopped at the museum to kill time or escape the heat for a while, but it ended up being one of their favorite things to do in Vernal.

As you enter the museum, you’ll be greeted by a giant 90-foot-long replica of a Diplodocus skeleton. Next, you’ll make your way through a variety of exhibits focused on dinosaurs, fossils, rocks and geologic time. Wondering how those rocks in Dinosaur National Monument got so tilted? A model here illustrates how the landscape was created. Not sure which dinosaurs are the oldest? An exhibit explains the various eras and shows when each species existed.

The highlight for kids is the outdoor Dinosaur Garden, which features life-sized replicas of dinosaurs like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex. Be sure to ask about the Junior Scientist and PeeWee Paleo programs, which actively involve kids in learning through a variety of activities.

The museum is typically open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an entrance fee for adults and children ages 6 and over (5 and under are free).

Quarry Exhibit Hall, Dinosaur National Monument

If you really want to immerse yourself in the world of dinosaurs, the Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument is a must-see. You’ll experience the great wall of bones, which includes more than 1,500 fossils still embedded in an exposed layer of the Morrison Formation.  These bones are not replicas, but real skeletal remains of species from the late Jurassic Period, like Allosaurus, Stegosaurus and Diplodocus.

Towering above you in the Exhibit Hall is a model of an Allosaurus skeleton next to a mural that shows what the dinosaur might have looked like when it was alive. Some exhibits even allow a hands-on experience where you can touch some of the bones. During summer months, a free shuttle will transport you from the Quarry Visitor Center to the Exhibit Hall. In winter, you can drive directly to the small parking area at the Exhibit Hall.

There is a day-use entry fee per vehicle. America the Beautiful passes are also accepted.

McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs

You’ll find some of the Southwest’s most impressive petroglyphs and pictographs at McConkie Ranch. Located on private land in Dry Fork Canyon near Vernal, the site contains some of the best examples of Fremont archaeological culture. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the ranch gained recognition in 1980 when photos of the Three Kings Panel were published in National Geographic.

Two separate trails provide viewing access to the various panels: the Upper Main Panel Trail and the Three Kings Trail. One of the most famous petroglyphs here is “Big Foot,” which depicts a human-like figure with oversized feet. Some sections of the trail are steep and rocky, so wear appropriate footwear.

The site is owned and operated by members of the McConkie family, who keep it open for the public to experience these fascinating ancient rock imagery sites. Please be respectful and stay on the main trails and park only in the designated parking area. Groups of 15 or more people must request permission to visit in advance. (Read: How to Visit Rock Imagery Sites Like an Archaeologist)

The McConkie family relies on donations to keep the space open, the suggested donation amount is $5 per person. The site is typically open from dawn to dusk, April 1 to November 30.