How to Visit Vernal, Utah

Nestled in the Uintah Basin, Vernal is home to camping, river running, hiking, theaters and museums. It is also a favorite destination for dinosaur enthusiasts. Vernal is located in the northeast corner of Utah, with the Uintah Mountains looming in the northwest, Dinosaur National Monument to the east and Flaming Gorge to the north. Vernal, with plenty of lodging and dining options, is a good central location for visiting the nearby attractions.

Instructions

1. Decide when you'd like to visit. With the many recreational activities available in the area, the warmer months are ideal for visiting Vernal. If you're planning your visit during the Christmas season, be sure to enjoy Vernal's Holly Days. During this celebration, the city of Vernal offers a variety of free activities for the whole family, such as ice skating, games, contests, a free movie matinee and the Parade of Lights.

2. Arrange transportation. Vernal is located about 3 hours from Salt Lake City International Airport. From Salt Lake, you can reach Vernal by traveling on I-80 until you get to US-40, which turns into US-191. Grand Junction, Colorado is located southeast of Vernal. Travel west on I-70 until you reach CO-139. Turn onto US-40 and travel until you reach Vernal.

3. Make lodging arrangements. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is a new hotel, offering an indoor pool, an on-site health and fitness center and on-site laundry. The Best Western Antlers is perfect for families with its large suites, playground and outdoor pool. The Weston Plaza has an indoor pool and hot tub, as well as conference rooms for the business traveler. You can also dine at the delicious Stockmans Restaurant. There are also many campgrounds in the Vernal area.

4. Explore the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum. Giant dinosaurs greet you from the Dinosaur Gardens outside the new 22,000-square foot museum. Inside, visitors can learn about the creatures of the past through hands-on activities and exhibits.

5. Visit the new Uintah Community Center. This 70,000-square foot facility offers activities year-round. Inside, you'll find state-of-the-art exercise equipment, swimming pools with slides and play areas, lap pools, climbing wall, indoor track, full-sized gyms and on-site day care.

6. Discover Dinosaur National Monument. Just east of Vernal, at Dinosaur National Monument, visitors can hike trails to see real dinosaur fossils and bones. At the two visitor centers, you can see exhibits and learn more about the history and geology of the area. River running on the Yampa or Green Rivers offers an exciting way to explore this scenic area.

7. Visit Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area. The beautiful lake, surrounded by colorful rock mountains and forests, makes Flaming Gorge a picturesque location for boating, camping, hiking, fishing and exploring.