Vernal
Things to Do
Explore the past and present with an array of opportunities in and around Vernal.
- Explore the 1,500 bones in Dinosaur National Monument’s Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall, or enjoy outdoor adventure in the monument while hiking, camping or rafting, keeping an eye out for fossils and petroglyphs.
- Go for a dino dig, examine the exhibits, and immerse yourself in all things fossils and dinosaurs at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum.
- Enjoy fun on the water and on land at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area as well as Utah’s state parks. Go camping, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, enjoy water sports and more.
Dinah the Dinosaur in Vernal, Utah, home to Dinosaur National Monument.
Standup paddleboarding in Red Fleet State Park
Pictographs at McConkie Ranch
Dinosaur Exploration
Vernal is known as Dinosaurland for a reason. This small town is near Dinosaur National Monument, and the Utah Field House of Natural History and State Park Museum is right downtown. Any eager dinosaur enthusiast – from kids to adults — will find plenty of fossil and dinosaur fun in Vernal.
-
Dinosaur National Monument
Explore dinosaur fossils in the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument, which also offers plenty of options for outdoor fun. Hike, raft, camp or look for petroglyphs while taking in the spectacular mountain, canyon and desert scenery.
-
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
Go back in time at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum where you can learn all about dinosaurs, dig for fossils, spend time in the dinosaur garden or even participate in paleontology field programs.
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park
Outdoor Adventures
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Located in the northeastern corner of Utah (and the southeastern corner of Wyoming), Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area offers opportunities for boating, water sports and fishing for trophy lake trout. There are dozens of established campgrounds and plenty of spots for primitive camping.
Steinaker State Park
Steninaker State Park offers camping, swimming, hiking, boating, OHV options, fishing and more.
Red Fleet State Park
See 200 million year old dinosaur tracks, camp, picnic, boat, paddleboard, kayak and fish on Red Fleet Reservoir in Red Fleet State Park. This is sometimes referred to as a mini Lake Powell. Try out the Dinosaur Trackway hike!
Ashley National Forest
Enjoy 1.3 million acres of national forest — including large swaths of wilderness areas — in the Ashley National Forest. Hike, ride horses, ATV, camp, fish or even search for ancient petroglyphs.
Hotels and Camping
Lodging: After a long day of exploring, find a place to rest your head at one of the many lodging options in Vernal, including hotels, motels, lodges and charming bed and breakfasts.
Camping: There are plentiful camping options near Vernal, including private campgrounds as well as options in the Ashley National Forest, Bureau of Land Management areas, Dinosaur National Monument and state parks.
Restaurants and Dining
Vernal features an abundance of restaurants to appeal to any palate, with sit-down fare and grab-and-go options, inlcuding Mexican, Chinese and American food. The town is also home to a variety of popular chains, buffets, a brewery and Freddy's, which specializes in steakburgers and frozen custards.
Weather
The Vernal area has a semiarid climate, with elevations of 4,700 to 9,000 feet in Dinosaur National Monument.
- Summers are hot, with temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and can bring thunderstorms and flash flooding.
- Winters can plunge to 0 degrees Fahrenheit and can be snowy.
- Spring and fall are more temperate seasons, though conditions can be quite variable.
READ MORE
-
11 Family-Friendly Activities Near SLC
Find fun family activities in Salt Lake City with this guide from the Utah Office of Tourism. From roller coasters to ski slopes, SLC has it all. Plan your trip now!
-
15 Must-do Adventures in Kanab
Looking for fun things to do in Kanab? Check out our list of the 15 must-do adventures in Kanab and start planning your visit today.
-
8 Elevated Ski Experiences That are Uniquely Utah
The best ski resorts in Utah provide access to the best ski experiences. Make one of these top ski resorts in Utah your base for a unique Utah skiing adventure!
-
Après-Ski Like a Local
Curious about those local favorites après-ski spots, those tucked away gems to which the locals have flocked for generations? Read on.
-
Beyond the Lake
From snowmobiling to skiing, snowshoeing to sledding and fishing, Bear Lake in the winter is everything you’ll want from your next winter vacation.
-
Dog-friendly Utah: Northern
Explore the top dog-friendly places to hike and explore in the Northern Utah, including state parks, national forests and a bird refuge.
-
Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
-
Eating Up Mount Timpanogos
Learn about the Utah farms near Mt. Timpanogos that produce luscious lettuce and artisan cheese. Make your own plans to “eat up” Mt. Timpanogos!
-
Eight Enticing Utah State Parks Near The Mighty 5
Utah’s natural beauty extends well beyond the borders of the Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks — and in many directions it is seemingly without any end in sight. Some of Utah’s best state parks dot the landscape of Mighty Five country, swaddled by adventurous national forest or the rugged Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
-
Escalante River Canyon Trail
Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Escalante River Canyon river trail winds and knots its way east and south.
-
Everything in its Right Place
Bring your snowboard on your Brighton Ski Resort trip. Visit the six terrain parks – with new designs each week – to add some exhilaration to your ski vacation.
-
Explore Antelope Island's Fielding Garr Ranch
Volunteers Beth and Dennis Simonsen show visitors around the historic Fielding Garr Ranch complex on Antelope Island State Park in Northern Utah.
-
Explore the Tushars on Snowshoe
Ready to experience snowshoeing in Utah? Eagle Point is a Utah favorite location. Check out this snowshoe excursion then plan yours today for fun and adventure.
-
Exploring Mule Canyon: House on Fire and Cave Tower
Driving the up the dusty, terracotta-colored road toward Mule Canyon in Cedar Mesa, you get a sense that this is a special place, though you might not be able to put a finger on why.
-
Exploring Utah's Little Sahara
Little Sahara Recreation Area is an unforgettable destination for sand dunes in Utah and ATV, camping, hiking, and sand-boarding enthusiasts.
-
Finding Solitude on the Provo River
Get expert advice on Provo River fishing, recreation and relaxation. Add the Provo River to your next Utah itinerary!
-
Following the Dinosaur Tracks of Red Fleet
Explore Red Fleet State Park's cleverly built trail that crosses sandy washes, ribs of exposed stone and a dinosaur trackway.
-
Get to Know Echo State Park
Situated at 5,560 feet above sea level, just north of Park City, lies Echo State Park. Watersports are king here, and whether you kayak, paddleboard, or boat, it’s a perfect place to get out on the water.
-
Ice and rock, snow and splendor: Winter in Southern Utah
For an extraordinary adventure, plan winter hikes in Utah’s Zion National Park. Winter rewards hikers with stunning sights of stalactites and snow covered mountains.
-
Ridin' Greater Zion
Southeastern Utah might be the state’s hidden gem of mountain biking. Learn about the top mountain biking trails in this area and plan a getaway you’ll never forget.
-
See the Fall Leaves Near Utah's National Parks
Sure, any of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round — covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs.
-
Seven Must-Ride Mountain Biking Trails in Utah
To help you plan a Utah mountain biking trip, we've assembled a list of seven of Utah’s best mountain biking trails followed by a roundup of Utah’s best fat-tire destinations.
-
The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12
This is 122.863 miles (to be exact) of pure driving bliss. Welcome to Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, a designated All-American Road.
-
Tooele? Tuilla? The Fascinating History of this Utah Town
While the town of Tooele has a fascinating story to its name, the best part about one of Utah’s original counties is its history.
-
Utah’s Factory-to-Slope Culture
Utah’s gear scene benefits from being able to use its backyard as a testing ground, making the complete ski and snowboard cycle uniquely Utah
