Vernal UtahATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Vernal, Utah.
1. Dinosaur National Monument
PREHISTORIC FOSSILS AND LANDSCAPES
Dinosaur National Monument features an impressive collection of over 1,500 dinosaur bones showcased in the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall. Visitors can explore the monument while hiking, camping, or rafting, with opportunities to spot fossils and ancient petroglyphs throughout the area. Beyond the paleontological treasures, the monument offers stunning natural landscapes with river canyons and mountain vistas that provide a scenic backdrop for outdoor adventures.
2. Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
INTERACTIVE DINOSAUR EXHIBITS
The Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum offers immersive dinosaur and fossil exhibits that showcase the rich prehistoric heritage of the region. Visitors can participate in simulated dino digs and explore the outdoor dinosaur garden featuring 17 life-size prehistoric animal replicas in a natural setting. The museum's prominent location on Main Street is marked by massive dinosaur replicas, including T-Rex and Stegosaurus statues that serve as popular photo opportunities.
3. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
SPECTACULAR RESERVOIR ADVENTURES
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area offers stunning red rock landscapes surrounding a massive 91-mile long reservoir with crystal clear waters. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing for trophy trout, boating on the expansive waters, and camping along the scenic shoreline. The area features numerous hiking trails with spectacular overlooks of the dramatic canyon walls and emerald waters below.
4. McConkie Ranch
ANCIENT ROCK ART
McConkie Ranch is home to some of the most significant and well-preserved Fremont culture petroglyphs in the western United States. The self-guided trail leads visitors past numerous rock art panels that date back approximately 1,000 years and feature distinctive anthropomorphic figures with elaborate decorations and headdresses. Visitors can enjoy the interpretive experience while taking in beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and red rock formations.
5. Fantasy Canyon
OTHERWORLDLY ROCK FORMATIONS
Fantasy Canyon features some of Utah's most unique and delicate geological formations, resembling something from another world. The small but spectacular area contains intricate erosional features where wind and water have carved the soft sandstone into bizarre, gravity-defying shapes. Visitors can follow a short loop trail through the fragile formations, which are best photographed during golden hour when the low light accentuates the strange contours and textures.
6. Red Fleet State Park
DINOSAUR TRACKWAY RESERVOIR
Red Fleet State Park combines water recreation with prehistoric discovery, featuring a reservoir surrounded by red sandstone cliffs. The park is famous for its dinosaur trackway, accessible via the Dinosaur Trackway Trail, where visitors can see fossilized footprints left by dinosaurs approximately 200 million years ago. Water enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and paddleboarding on the scenic reservoir against the backdrop of red rock formations.
7. Moonshine Arch
STUNNING NATURAL ARCH
Moonshine Arch is an impressive 85-foot sandstone span that remains somewhat of a hidden gem in the Vernal area. The moderate 1.5-mile round-trip hike to reach the arch rewards visitors with spectacular views and excellent photography opportunities, especially during sunset. The natural arch's massive size becomes apparent as hikers approach it, dwarfing visitors who stand beneath its curved expanse.
8. McCoy Flats Trail System
PREMIER MOUNTAIN BIKING NETWORK
McCoy Flats Trail System offers 35 miles of interconnecting mountain biking paths on the northern edge of the Uinta Basin. The non-motorized trail network provides options for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly loops to challenging technical sections with stunning desert views. Riders can enjoy the high desert terrain featuring juniper trees, sagebrush, and occasional wildlife sightings with the backdrop of distant mountains.
9. Buckskin Hills Recreation Complex
YEAR-ROUND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Buckskin Hills Recreation Complex offers diverse recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts throughout all seasons. Summer visitors can enjoy mountain biking, ATV trails, motocross tracks, and camping, while winter brings opportunities for skiing and snow tubing. The complex also features a shooting range, drag strip, and speedway for those interested in motorsports and target practice.
10. Uintah County Daughters Of Utah Pioneers Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Uintah County Daughters Of Utah Pioneers Museum preserves and displays the rich history of the region's early settlers. Exhibits feature pioneer artifacts, historical photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of Vernal's development and the hardy individuals who shaped the community. Visitors can step back in time and gain insight into daily life, hardships, and triumphs of Utah's pioneering families in this carefully curated local history museum.
11. Green River Rafting
WORLD-CLASS RIVER ADVENTURE
Green River rafting offers world-class whitewater experiences through spectacular canyons near Vernal. Adventurers can choose from various trip lengths, from half-day floats to multi-day expeditions through Dinosaur National Monument's remote sections. Professional outfitters provide guided trips suitable for different experience levels, combining thrilling rapids with opportunities to spot wildlife and view ancient rock art along the river corridor.
12. Steinaker State Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESERVOIR RECREATION
Steinaker State Park centers around a reservoir that provides refreshing water recreation opportunities in the high desert climate. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing for rainbow trout and bass, and boating on the clear waters surrounded by juniper-covered hills. The park offers camping facilities, picnic areas, and easy access to other nearby attractions, making it a popular base for families exploring the Vernal area.
13. Uinta Mountains
ALPINE WILDERNESS EXPLORATION
The Uinta Mountains, accessible from Vernal, form the highest east-west mountain range in the contiguous United States with peaks exceeding 13,000 feet. This alpine wilderness offers hundreds of glacial lakes, extensive trail systems, and opportunities for hiking, backpacking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in pristine mountain environments. During summer months, wildflower displays blanket the high meadows, while fall brings spectacular golden aspen colors that contrast beautifully with dark evergreen forests.
14. Dinah the Dinosaur
ICONIC PINK WELCOME STATUE
Dinah the Dinosaur is Vernal's iconic 40-foot tall pink dinosaur statue that welcomes visitors to the self-proclaimed 'Dinosaurland.' This beloved local landmark has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a popular photo opportunity for tourists. Dinah represents the first of many colorfully painted dinosaur statues that can be found throughout the town, emphasizing Vernal's deep connection to its prehistoric heritage.
15. Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
PRISTINE WILDLIFE HABITAT
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge provides critical habitat for diverse wildlife along the Green River near the Utah-Colorado border. The refuge encompasses wetlands, riparian areas, and upland habitats where visitors can observe migratory birds, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and other wildlife in their natural setting. History enthusiasts will appreciate the area's significance as a former hideout for outlaws like Butch Cassidy, adding a layer of frontier lore to the natural beauty.