Your Complete Guide to Dinosaur Country
Everything you need to plan a trip to Vernal — from Dinosaur National Monument and Flaming Gorge to Red Fleet State Park and the High Uintas. What to see, when to go, and where to stay.
The main draw for most Vernal visitors. Dinosaur National Monument spans 210,000 acres across the Utah-Colorado border. The Utah side features the famous Quarry Exhibit Hall, where over 1,500 dinosaur bones are exposed in a tilted rock face — the densest concentration of Jurassic-era fossils ever found. Beyond the quarry, Cub Creek Road passes ancient Fremont petroglyphs and the Josie Bassett Morris homestead. The monument also offers backcountry camping, river rafting on the Green and Yampa, and scenic drives to Harper's Corner with thousand-foot canyon views.
Getting there: 20 miles east of Vernal via Highway 40 and Highway 149. About 25 minutes by car. No entrance fee for the monument; the quarry shuttle is $25 per vehicle during peak season.
What to know: There are no restaurants, gas stations, or stores inside the monument. Stock up in Vernal before you go. Summers are hot — bring water. The quarry is open year-round but shuttle-access only in summer.
Where to stay: Best Western Vernal Inn is the closest full-service hotel to the monument — 20 miles south with weekly rates from $588 and free breakfast.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area stretches 91 miles along the Green River, with a reservoir surrounded by red-rock canyon walls that gave the gorge its name. The area is famous for trophy lake trout (30+ pounders caught regularly), kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass. The Red Canyon Visitor Center offers a 1,400-foot overlook that rivals anything in southern Utah. Flaming Gorge Dam, completed in 1964, is open for tours. Below the dam, the Green River tailwaters offer world-class fly fishing.
Getting there: Approximately 40 miles north of Vernal via Highway 191. Under one hour by car. Vernal is the last full-service town heading north.
What to know: Summer weekends fill up fast — boat ramp lines can be long at Cedar Springs Marina. Lodging near the gorge is limited and expensive. Most visitors stay in Vernal and make day trips.
Where to stay: Lodging near Flaming Gorge from Vernal — Best Western Vernal Inn offers kitchenettes for packing coolers and free parking for boats and trailers.
Red Fleet is Vernal's most underrated attraction. A 15-minute drive north on Highway 191 brings you to a red-sandstone reservoir with warm swimming water, cliff jumping spots, and a 1.5-mile trail to a dinosaur trackway — over 200 dilophosaurus footprints preserved in Navajo sandstone, roughly 200 million years old. The park is small enough for a half-day visit but striking enough to be a trip highlight.
Getting there: 12 miles north of Vernal on Highway 191. About 15 minutes.
What to know: Best visited in the morning when the light makes the dinosaur tracks easiest to see. Warm enough for swimming from late May through September. Day-use fee applies.
Where to stay: Places to stay near Red Fleet — Best Western Vernal Inn is 12 miles south, with pet friendly rooms and free breakfast.
Ashley National Forest covers 1.3 million acres of mountain terrain north of Vernal, including the High Uintas Wilderness — the largest wilderness area in Utah and home to Kings Peak (13,528 feet), the state's highest point. The forest is the primary destination for elk and mule deer hunting (September–October), summer backpacking, mountain lake fishing, ATV riding, and horseback pack trips. In winter, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing take over.
Getting there: Forest boundary begins approximately 15 miles north of Vernal on Highway 191. Access roads branch to trailheads and campgrounds from there.
What to know: Vernal is the last town with hotels, groceries, gas, and gear before you enter the backcountry. During hunting season (September–October), accommodations fill up early.
Where to stay: Vernal hotel near Ashley National Forest — weekly rates from $588, free breakfast, and parking for trucks and horse trailers.
Steinaker Reservoir is the closest major recreation area to Vernal — just 7 miles north on Highway 191. The park is popular for fishing (rainbow trout and largemouth bass), waterskiing, swimming, and camping. It's also the most convenient half-day outing from town, with easy access and a developed campground.
Getting there: 7 miles north of Vernal on Highway 191. About 10 minutes.
Vernal is a year-round destination, but most visitors come between May and October. Here's what each season offers:
Mild temps, fewer crowds. Dinosaur Monument and Red Fleet are ideal. Rivers begin to run — early rafting season.
Peak season. All parks open, warm reservoir swimming, full rafting operations. Book early — Flaming Gorge and Vernal hotels fill up.
Hunting season in Ashley National Forest. Fall colors in the Uintas. Cooler temps, thinner crowds, excellent fishing.
Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the Uintas. Dinosaur Monument quarry open year-round. Budget rates at hotels.
Vernal is located on Highway 40 in northeastern Utah, approximately 175 miles (about 3 hours) east of Salt Lake City. The drive from Denver is approximately 350 miles (5.5 hours) via I-70 and Highway 40. Grand Junction, Colorado, is about 200 miles (3.5 hours) south. Vernal Regional Airport (VEL) offers commercial flights — Best Western Vernal Inn is just 0.6 miles from the terminal.
Best Western Vernal Inn is centrally located in Vernal at 1935 South 1500 East — within easy driving distance of every attraction listed above. Rates start at $84/night with free hot breakfast, kitchenettes, free parking for boats and trailers, and pet friendly rooms. For extended visits, weekly rates start at $588.
Vernal is the gateway to Dinosaur National Monument, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, and the Uinta Mountains. The area is known for dinosaur fossils, red rock landscapes, world-class fishing, and access to some of the most remote wilderness in the lower 48 states.
Late May through October offers the best weather for outdoor activities. Summer months are peak season for Dinosaur National Monument and Flaming Gorge. September and October bring fall colors, cooler temperatures, and hunting season in the Ashley National Forest.
Vernal is located on Highway 40 in northeastern Utah, approximately 175 miles east of Salt Lake City. Vernal Regional Airport (VEL) offers commercial flights. Most visitors drive from Salt Lake City, Denver, or Grand Junction.
Dinosaur National Monument (20 miles), Flaming Gorge (40 miles), Red Fleet State Park (12 miles), Steinaker State Park (7 miles), and Ashley National Forest (15 miles to the boundary) all offer hiking, fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Best Western Vernal Inn is centrally located at 1935 South 1500 East — 0.6 miles from Vernal Regional Airport and within easy driving distance of all major attractions. Rates start at $84/night with free breakfast and kitchenettes.
Weekly rates from $588 · Free hot breakfast · Free parking · Pet friendly