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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.

Top 5 Things To Do Flaming Gorge Recreation Area

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Top 5 Things to do when visiting Flaming Gorge

A beautiful place that is a must visit in the Uintah Basin is the one and only Flaming Gorge. This beautiful natural environment gives you so many different and unique opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. There are activities for every personality to enjoy, from the most outdoorsy person to the home body. Narrowing down all that the hardest part of visiting the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area. Here are the top rated adventures of Flaming Gorge.

  1. Boating on Flaming Gorge Reservoir

There are many boating sports activities that can be done on the reservoir. These activities include water skiing, paddle boarding, jet skiing, kayaking and many more. The lake itself is a great place for family gatherings or solo adventures.

  1. Visiting Red Canyon Lodge

Red Canyon Lodge is a very popular place for many tourists as well as the locals. It is a great place for a day away from the city or a camping trip. The lodge hosts many activities such as horseback riding, private lake for trout fishing and riding the rental paddle boats. There are also cabins for rent perfect for large or small groups. The Alpine Cabins are open to rent through the Spring and Fall seasons and the Ponderosa Cabins are available for rent any night of the year. 

  1. River Rafting

Another top pick for visiting Flaming Gorge is a one day guided rafting trip down the Green River. Dinosaur River Expeditions provides a single day scenic rafting trip perfect for people looking for a life changing experience. It is an astounding scenic trip with a few super fun class II rapids thrown in this trip is one of Utah’s top single day rafting tours. Dinosaur River also offers 2 or 3 day rafting trips in the Flaming Gorge area for groups of 6 or more. This section of the Green River also provides world renowned fly fishing for trout. There are several excellent fly fishing guide services in the area, it is highly recommended to hire a guide these trout can be tricky to catch. 

Flaming Gorge Green River rafting
Vernal, Utah One Day River Rafting Trip
  1. Flaming Gorge Dam Tour

Learning about the history of Flaming Gorge Dam is very simple thanks to the tour the visitor center provides. This tour is open daily from April 15 to October 15 and the cost is free. During this tour, a movie, a 3-D display, and a walk through are provided for free. The walking tour starts at the dam’s visitor center and takes you down through the internal workings of this massive concrete structure to the base of the dam where the Green River pours out of its inner plumbing. Many great views and excellent information are provided by the Flaming Gorge Dam Tour.

Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center

  1. Hiking

Countless hikes surround the area of Flaming Gorge. The trails all provide a different experience with the widely diverse trail routes and abundance of wildlife. There is a trail for every one of all levels of experience and age. Some of the more popular hikes are the Little Hole Trail, Moonshine Arch, and Bear Canyon. If you don’t want to hike, there are options for biking as well. In the wintertime, many people also use the trails for cross country skiing as well as snow shoeing. For information on hiking the Ashley National Forest can provide you with directions, maps and information to get you to the trail head. 

Flaming Gorge is an amazing place full of opportunities to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. It is a place for anyone and everyone to enjoy and discover through adventure. Either if it is through hiking, river rafting or any of the other activities, the visit to Flaming Gorge will be worth it.

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