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Visit Dinosaurland and Vernal, Utah

Vernal, Utah, is a gateway to some of the most spectacular scenery in the American West. The town is located in northeastern Utah, and it is surrounded by towering mountains, deep canyons, and ancient dinosaur fossils.

If you’re looking for an adventure-filled summer vacation, Vernal is the perfect place for you. There are endless opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, and learning dinosaurs.

In this blog post, I’ll outline a 3-day itinerary for visiting Vernal that will take you to some of the best spots in the area.

Day 1: Dinosaur River Expeditions

Start your day with a Utah one day river rafting trip on the Green River with Dinosaur River Expeditions. This is a great way to experience the beauty of the canyons and get cooled off on a hot summer day.

Dinosaur River Expeditions single day river rafting trip takes you along the Green River from Flaming Gorge Dam to Little Hole. This scenic 7 mile section of the river takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery around, not to mention some fun class 2 white water action along the way.

Dinosaur River Expeditions

After your rafting trip, enjoy a delicious Dinner at the Vernal Brewing Company. This brewery is located in the heart of downtown Vernal, and it has a great selection of craft beers on tap. Vernal Brewing Company is locally owned and operated, brewing all of their beers in house. Their menu is top notch with a great selection of options for all visitors.

Day 2: Vernal Rodeo

If you visit Vernal, Utah during the first part of July a must do is the Vernal Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. This rodeo is a great way to experience the cowboy culture of the Uintah Basin. You’ll see some of the top cowboys and cowgirls competing in events like bull riding, bronc riding, and barrel racing.

Tickets are affordable, so this is a great way to see some live entertainment in Vernal and experience rodeo action like nowhere else as the top cowboys and cowgirls compete for their chance at the National Finals Rodeo.

Vernal Rodeo

Day 3: Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

On your last day in Vernal, visit the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Not only a great place for single day river rafting trips,this recreation area is home to stunning scenery, including towering cliffs, deep canyons, and the Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

There are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. You can go hiking, camping, fishing and boating.

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, take a scenic drive on the Flaming Gorge National Scenic Byway. This byway winds its way through the Uinta Mountains and incredible canyons offering some incredible views of the reservoir.

Accommodations

There is a variety of accommodations to choose from in Vernal. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, consider staying at the Vernal KOA campground. This campground has RV sites, tent sites, and cabins.

If you’re looking for a hotel stay, consider booking a room at the Dinosaur Inn. This motel is in the heart of downtown Vernal, and it has a swimming pool, hot tub, great breakfast menu and is within walking distance of restaurants and several museums.

Logistics

The best time to visit Vernal is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. The nearest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport, which is about a 3-hour drive from Vernal.

Budget

The cost of a trip to Vernal will vary depending on the length of your stay, your activities, and your accommodation. However, you can expect to spend around $1,000 for a 3-day trip.

Tips

  • Be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for your time in Vernal.
  • If you’re planning on doing any hiking or rafting, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
  • Bring a camera to capture all of your memories.
  • Be sure to book your accommodations and activities in advance, especially during the summer months.

 

Vernal, Utah is a great place to visit if you’re interested in dinosaurs, outdoor recreation, and a quiet small town with lots to offer.


Who’s taking me on this river adventure?

A river rafting trip is an incredible experience a vacation that you will remember for your lifetime. The river canyons sell themselves, the quiet lull of the river, the rush of the white water, unbelievable scenery landscapes that are magical. The Green River through the Gates of Lodore Canyon and the Yampa River are our two favorite river canyons. These rivers that go through the heart of Dinosaur National Monument are what draw our passionate river guides back season after season. The guides, women and men return to work for Dinosaur River Expeditions each summer to follow their love of wild places, adventure and meeting fun and exciting people from all over the world. Our guides are college students, ski patrollers, school teachers, construction workers. Whatever path they are following they make sure that each spring they are ready to hit the river and take our guests on a wonderful excursion. The guides obviously have a deep passion for the outdoors, rafting, camping, hiking and all the excitement and enjoyment that comes along with a 4 or 5-day river trip. The guides cannot do all of this without proper training and certifications. They must be certified and licensed to guide you on a wilderness river rafting trip. This involves in depth wilderness first aid courses, advanced swift water training and food handlers licensing.

White water river rafting guides have a serious, demanding and tough job. Your river guides will be up before the sun brewing fresh hot coffee, cooking bacon, prepping the boats and river gear. Their job won’t end for the day till long after the sun has gone down. They are constantly working, rowing boats, making meals, attending to guests needs. With all the work, they have to do the guides try and find time to have some fun themselves. A little stand up paddle boarding, swimming, at the right camp they may break out the ducky slip and slid. Occasionally you might be surprised by an impromptu costume night at dinner or a wild and crazy skit. No matter what trip you are on whether it is a one day raft trip or a 5 day adventure your guides are there to show you the best trip possible.
We are taking reservations for the 2017 summer season. Our four and five day trips fill up quickly so if there is a date that fits your travel schedule you will want to book your trip soon. The Yampa River and Green River Gates of Lodore are amazing for everyone from young kids to the most experienced adventure seeker.

Book your trip today!


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