25 Best & Fun Things to Do in Vernal (UT)

Looking for the best and fun things to do in Vernal, UT?

Vernal is an amazing city in Uintah County and is precisely the county seat and biggest city in northeastern Utah as a whole. Averaging 175 miles east of Salt Lake City, the city lies over 20 miles west of the Colorado border. The population census of 2010 estimated the city’s population at around 9,089.

However, following the most recent population census of 2019, the population has gone on to approximately 10,574. The vernal city is a fun city where you can spend your vacation, as it is home to a lot of tourist centers, historical artifacts, and pleasurable moments including Fantasy Crayon, amongst others.

Below are the top fun things to do in Vernal, Utah.

Things to Do in Vernal

1. McConkie Ranch

Located in Dry Fork Canyon near Vernal, Utah, McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs features a trail that extends to nearly 3/4 mile along the cliffs over the ranch and shows many panels of rock art, including mostly petroglyphs and a bit of pictograph in what is known as the Classic Vernal Style.

The pictorial representations are were probably headhunters, as shown in some of the panels. McConkie Ranch Petroglyph Trail consist of a 1.3 kilometer that is a bit trafficked out and back trail situated close to Vernal, Utah, featuring gorgeous wildflowers and is great for every skill level.

If you want to arrive at the trailhead from the focal point of Vernal, drive north on Highway 121 and turn left onto N500W Street.

Drive for 3.5 miles and turn right onto 3500W, following the Dry Fork Canyon sign. Go ahead for like 6.3 miles and turn right following the signs for the McConkie Ranch. The route is cleared and will lead you directly to the ranch.

Meanwhile, the main aim for establishing the trail is mainly for hiking, walking, and nature trips, as well as being accessible every year. Your dogs are also allowed to trail, but you must keep them on leash. Before the trailing begins, you must sign into a logbook and pay for it as required.

Address: 6228 McConkie Rd, Vernal, UT 84078-9752

2. Fantasy Canyon

Fantasy Canyon is another place to visit, and it is one of the best things to do in Vernal, UT.

Located about 27 miles south of Vernal in Uintah County, Fantasy Canyon is a little roadside attraction of highly weathered rock formations in weird shapes. It is a Bureau of Land Management-managed area and can be visited only through one route, a 6.0 mile Trail, otherwise called the Fantasy Canyon Loop Trail.

Even though the Fantasy Canyon is not a destination, it is indeed a pleasurable and scintillating roadside attraction that is accessible before or after crossing the White River. Although the area occupies just 10 acres of land, it still houses some of the strangest geologic contents the world has ever known.

Meanwhile, the canyon was formally documented by ancient legendary explorer and paleontologist Earl Douglass, who has recorded the area using such names as “The Devil’s Playground” and “Hades Pit”, and took pictures of the area, which he published in The Columbian Magazine in 1909.

You can tour away from Vernal to Naples. While on the south end of Naples, you take UT45 south for approximately 20 miles and then go over the Green River en route. When taking the 20 miles from Naples, follow a gravel road at the right called the Glen Blench Road for 12.6miles. Turn left and go another 4.4 miles towards Fantasy Canyon.

Address: Vernal UT 84078, United States

3. Utah Field House of Natural History State Park

Located at Vernal, Utah, United States, the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum is a museum made up of picnic space and camping ground for all, both city dwellers and visitors. It features a staggering 22,000 square-foot structure that stands in a 2-acre land.

The museum houses a rotunda, three exhibit halls, a classroom, theater, and outdoor garden. Its picnic area is close to Red Fleet State Park, Steinaker State Park, and Dinosaur National Monument. It also contains prehistoric geological, anthropological, and natural history items located close to the Uinta Mountains and inside the Uinta Basin.

Meanwhile, its geology is made up of algae, dinosaurs, and mammal fossils with over 600 million years. There’s a representation of different arts of life forms alongside geology paintings of the region. There’s also the Dinosaur Garden featuring 17 complete-sized prehistoric animal replicas from the Pennsylvanian and so on.

Address: 496 E Main Street, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

4. Moonshine Arch

Moonshine Arch is an amazing vista that lies north of Vernal towards the end of a brief but moderate hike. It is approximately a 2.3 kilometer huge trafficked out and back trail situated close to Vernal, Utah. The trail has gorgeous wildflowers and is perfect for people with different skill levels.

Also, the trail is mainly for hiking and walking and is available every year. Even dogs are allowed access to the trail. The Arch features a brief walk into a sandstone ridge, and you might experience confusion if you want to get there. This is because the Moonshine Arch is mostly hidden until you get to the final corner. Pictures are allowed on either side.

Address: Unnamed Road, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

5. Red Fleet State Park

Surrounded by gorgeous sandstone cliffs, the Red Fleet State Park comprises a clean, well-maintained campground and daily used area ideal for use at any point in any season. It can be found only a few miles north of Vernal, Utah.

The Red Fleet State Park is comfortable, warm, and at the same time, picturesque. This is why it is the choice of every family, hiker, mountain biker, boater, and angler, as it provides beautiful scenery for any activity. It features calm, clean, and green water, which lies within sculpted sandstone waves on the southern slopes of the Uinta Mountains.

You can hike to 200 million-year-old dinosaur tracks, boat, and fish on its Reservoir, while you also apply for camping and picnic in a campground ignoring a sandstone and desert landscape. This park provides a destination in itself and is a wonderful area to make discoveries of the location.

Address: 8750 N Hwy 191, Vernal, UT 84078, United States.

6. Pink Brontosaurus

The Pink Brontosaurus has been a roadside icon for 23 years. It consists of two dinosaur kinds that have an amazing history. Its legacy is why teachers and students use it for school and classroom activities and experiments to improve students’ academic opportunities.

The Brontosaurus features high-quality soft toys on eBay and offers you an amazing present if you are a budding Dino lover. Featuring a brand new standard plush, the Pink Brontosaurus Dinosaur is also ideal for adolescent Dino lovers and conforms to EN71 soft toy safety standards.

It also provides an amazing fleshy cheek to its delicious small toes, as the younger ones are ideal enough for consumption. Its funky, beautiful flower containers are gotten from recycled toys, with each piece possessing a certain level of quality, which you can choose from.

Address: W. Main Street, Vernal, UT 84078-2803

7. Seasonally Decorated Dinosaur

The Seasonally Decorated Dinosaur is made up of two very distinct dinosaur statues that can be found in Vernal, Utah. One of the dinosaurs is referred to as pink dinosaur ‘Dinah’, situated just after the motel, which was its previous location. However, its location has been changed to the east end of Vernal.

The pink Dinah is identifiable through a ‘Welcome to Vernal’ sign that it holds. It features a very amazing statue that welcomes every visitor that is entering the town through highway 40 from Colorado. The other dinosaur consists of a huge green T-Rex found in mid-town on Highway 40 of Main street.

The green dinosaur is often beautified with seasonal clothing and colorings, including bunny ears and fuzzy tail for Easter, white beard and red or white hat for Christmas, and so on, which are well prepared and decorated.

Address: 950 W Highway 40 in middle of the street, Vernal, UT 84078-2401

8. Uintah County Heritage Museum

According to its mission statement, “connecting the past, present, and future to the world around us”, the Uintah County Heritage Museum aims at preserving and promoting the heritage of the Uinta Basin territory.

It has been their key goal right from the time of the first people’s forward, through the presentation of an astounding educational museum encounter to both the city dwellers and visitors, connecting yesterday, today, and tomorrow to the world around us.

The museum offers displays of persons and groups that, for one reason or another, have chosen to journey into the Uinta Basin, with some of them choosing to make the place their permanent home. You can be a part of the tour of pleasurable activities and sightseeing of historic journeymen who have made the mountains their dwelling place.

The Uintah County Heritage Museum provides a great opportunity for family encounters that chronicles the activities of every Uinta Basin citizen, as well as teaches visitors the norms of a different and universal populace. It shares archives of outlaws and lawmen, the Utes, prosperous entrepreneurs, and ranchers amongst others.

Address: 155 E Main Street, Vernal, UT 84078, United States.

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9. John Jarvie Ranch

The John Jarvie Ranch was established by a Scotsman called John Jarvie in 1880 and chose to situate it close to the Green River to provide store goods to both the city dwellers and visitors alike.

His sole aim for this is because of a naturally occurring river crossing that was utilized by Indians, fur trappers, travelers, and rural dwellers.

You can take part in the fun-filled John Jarvie Ranch, which features the wild-west. It is a place that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out from the long arms of the law, and a place that sees salesmen and women create a mint, as well as a place that a business is used at par with the turn-of-the-century frontier life in Brown’s Park.

Address: Browns Park Road, Dutch John, UT 84023, United States

10. McCoy Flats Trail Complex

If you are a lover of exploration, add exploring the McCoy Flats Trail Complex to your list of things to do in Vernal.

Located at the foot of the Uinta Basin west of Vernal, McCoy Flats Trail Complex provides all of its visitors with over 6o miles of the recreational avenue. It offers a stacked looped system where you are free to join a variety of trails to create additional distance and challenge.

It also provides 35 miles of linking loops for riders of different experience levels. The trail system offers a perfect blend of flowing single track to technical rocky areas. It features interesting and enticing trail names such as Got Milk and More Cookies.

Meanwhile, the McCoy Flats Mountain Bike Trail System was created by rural dwellers with the help of meandering cattle that assisted them in establishing an interesting trail system via the desert. Various agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and others have contributed towards making McCoy stand out as the highest quality desert experience.

Address: Uinta Basin West of Vernal

11. Vernal Theatre: LIVE

Are you searching for a pleasurable thing to do in Vernal, Utah? We recommend you to Vernal Theatre: LIVE. It is a place where you can lighten your heavy hearts.

The theater is an environment-friendly theater that deals in family-friendly, high-quality community theatre and events.

Most of its customers from far and near have seen so many interesting and fun things about its productions for over five years now. It has offered great avenues for local dwellers to maximize their potentials, defeat fears, create human connections, attempt new ideas, and have pleasurable moments with family-friendly entertainment.

If you are in Altoona with kids, do add this attraction to your list of things to do in Vernal, UT.

Address: 40 E Main Street, Vernal, UT 84078, United States.

12. Steinaker State Park

Steinaker State Park is situated within the scenic desert steppes, which flow down from the snowy peaks of the high Uinta Mountains.

Since its establishment in the early 1960s, Steinaker State Park has featured different serious anglers. The park is an amazing summer escape venue for both children and adults.

The park also offers warm water for water sports lovers, including waterskiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Most times, you will find sufficient space to play around due to the low population.

It also features a sandy beach where you can launch your stand-up paddleboard or kayak and other interesting activities.

Address: 4335 N Highway 191, Vernal, UT 84078-7800

13. Holiday River Expeditions – Utah River Rafting

Are you looking for the best holiday outing to make your days of fun and worthwhile? Don’t look beyond Holiday River Expeditions featuring Utah River Rafting for everyone, both city dwellers and visitors. It also features the Green River Rafting trip, which offers a 5-day expedition featuring enjoyable whitewater rapids for both old and young.

The trip often consists of several hiking to tour legendary Indian ruins and petroglyphs. Another feature of Holiday River Expeditions is the San Juan River Rafting Trip, featuring a 3-day tour around the amazing San Juan River where you’ll encounter what is called “Sand Waves”.

Then, there’s the Yampa River, the final undammed river which makes up the Colorado River system and offers a 5-day adventure for the intermediate river rafting lovers. Meanwhile, the Desolation Canyon River Rafting is also available, but mostly for kids between 5 to 7 years old, as it is rated “easy”.

Address: 2231 S Highway 191, Moab UT 84532

14. OARS Dinosaur

Come and be a part of the OARS Dinosaur to make the 1 to 5-day whitewater rafting trip. Previously known as Don Hatch River Expeditions, the OARS Dinosaur provides lots of fun and excitement of whitewater, especially on the Yampa River or Green River in Dinosaur National Monument or on the Green River via Flaming Gorge.

The trips are often well-managed, as it carries highly capable guides. Your trip will also be filled with wonderful experiences as you’ll be offered tasty food, which includes salmon and steak, and chicken and pasta. Talking about food, they also have top-notch cheesecake for dessert.

For breakfast, you could be served bacon and egg of quality taste as well as coffee. In the night hours, you’ll get to hear sweet rhythms and music from a couple of guides, ranging from folk to bluegrass. You can also sit around a huge camp circle to behold the sunset and stars coming out.

For a memorable rafting experience, add OARS Dinosaur to your list of things to do in Vernal, UT.

Address: Vernal, UT, USA

15. Dinosaur River Expeditions

Having been at the top of the white water rafting adventures since 1979, the Dinosaur River Expeditions is the only establishment locally owned and managed in Vernal, Utah. It provides its enthusiasts with opportunities to enjoy river rafting trips on high-quality Colorado Rivers and Utah Rivers.

It also features adventures on the Green River via the Gates of Lodore Canyon and the Yampa River. There’s also a single-day river rafting adventure, which is done in the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area.

This expedition also features essential safety materials, guides, transportation, food, and enjoyable moments.

Address: Vernal, UT, USA

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16. Adventure Tours Vernal

Come and be a part of the fun and enjoyable moments, which Adventure Tours Vernal provides, as well as its most secured amazing tours with scenic (2,000 feet) overlooks within the Uintah Basin.

The tours guide you, drive you and take you through amazing places that you wouldn’t know on your own.

It features a tour through its backyard and caters to the customers to make their experiences worthwhile. Meanwhile, you’ll have the opportunity to lots of petroglyphs. Aside from the outdoor experiences, the Adventure Tours features historic artifacts, lots of sporting activities, and family-driven norms, amongst others.

Address: 260 W Main Street, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

17. River Runner’s Transport

Have you experienced the excitement that comes with troublesome whitewater rapids and the quietness of a lazy float on a gentle, soothing current?

Rivers Runner’s Transport will provide you with whatever kind of river trip you want. It also offers the best menu choices, unique diets or allows you to cook your preferred meal.

Located close to the popular Green River and Yampa River in eastern Utah and Western Colorado, the River Runner’s Transport offers custom rental and bus services to river runners.

Here, everything is made easier, as the stress of loading and unloading, which you go through with other transport systems, can be avoided with a river runner.

Address: 417 E Main Street, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

18. Dinaland Golf Course

One of the best things to do in Vernal, UT, is to visit the Dineland Golf Course

Dineland Golf Course is a golfer that was created by Jim Macphilmomy and officially opened in 1950 and managed by Kris Abegglen as the Uintah Recreation District Executive Director & Golf Pro. It presents thrilling views of Split Mountain and a daring 18-hole course, which is why it is widely cherished by city dwellers and visitors alike.

You are free to stop by the Pro Shop while golfing to shop for all your golfing requirements. This Dinaland Golf Course features 6,773 yards of golf, ranging from the longest tees for a par of 72. Its course rates at 71.5, as well as a slope rating of 129 on Rye grass. It provides a friendly environment for some fun time with your friends.

Address: 675 S 2000 E, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

19. Cinemas 5

Cinemas 5 is a family-owned and established theater, which will provide you with an exciting, fun time, especially during the summer. You are free to come with your family to Merrick Cinemas 5, where you can have the greatest moment with the must-watch movies with the comfort of its new rich recliners.

The Cinemas 5 offers you the best spot for your family get-together, as it provides a complete service 5-screen cinema hall showing current, nationally released, but yet-on-sale movies.

The theater also features a place for gift cards, advertising, group sales, group screenings, media hub, birthday parties, etc.

A visit to this spectacular Cinema is one of the best fun things to do in Vernal, UT.

Address: 1400 US-40, Vernal, UT 84078, United States.

20. Vernal E-Bike Adventure CO

Vernal E-Bike Adventure CO is a company that offers mobile Electric Mountain Bike Rental Services. It provides both company and home delivery to make it easier for its customers, and rent top-notch bikes at affordable prices, and provides you with instructions and information on areas to ride them through their experts.

Vernal E-Bike Adventure CO features E-Bikes that have fat tires that will allow you to keep track on almost every surface, including dirt, slick rock, sand, and snow. Its E-bike is also easy to ride, as long as you can ride a normal bike. It features pedals that can help to move you forward without much stress.

Address: 431 E Main Street, Vernal, UT 84078, United States.

21. Ashley Valley Community Park

Ashley Valley Community Park is the largest park in the city of Vernal and was created as a place to accommodate both family and community to have thrilling moments.

The park houses the Searle and Colton Pavilions, which feature reservations, a quaint gazebo, double playgrounds, and several green types of grass.

It also features about 4 baseball diamonds. If you are a lover of softball, whether slow or fast-pitch, Ashley Valley Community Park offers you a three-field diamond. It also provides sand volleyball and horseshoe pits and a world-class skate/bike park. There are clean and comfortable restrooms in its environs.

Add a visit to this park to your list of things to do in Vernal, UT, if you wish to explore the natural beauty of the region.

Address: 500 N 900 W, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

22. Dinosaur National Monument

Your vacation in Vernal won’t be complete if you don’t visit Dinosaur National Monument. 

Inside the ancient rocks of the 210,000-acre park, the remains of old dinosaurs lay revealed for everybody to admire and touch. 

Whole skulls, long spines, and large claws are preserved by paleontologists so that children and adults can come and marvel at the incredible size of the ancient remains of these reptiles. 

If you love Jurassic Park, you would want to visit this tourist attraction. However, the area has more to offer than just sights for people who love dinosaurs. 

The rugged deserts, fast-flowing rivers, and huge mountains offer more exploration opportunities. 

Make sure you add a visit to Dinosaur National Monument to your list of things to do in Vernal to see all the wonders that are waiting for you to explore. 

Address: 11625 E 1500 S, Jensen, UT 84035, United States

23. Ashley National Forests

Ashley National Forests, with a total of 1,382,346 acres of land area, is among the largest in this part of the United States. Vernal acts as the headquarters for this forest. 

The City is a portal for several wonders of this attraction with large swaths of wooded areas, lakes, and tall mountain peaks. Ashley National Forest has numerous activities for you and your loved ones. 

Some of these activities include camping and hiking inside the forest. Still, you can attempt climbing the highest peaks of Utah or try whitewater rafting in the rivers snaking in between the mountains. 

Additionally, you can try discovering the numerous animals in this forest, including antelope, mountain lions, elk, bighorn sheep, and other mammals wandering the area. 

Hunting is allowed in some areas, so if you want to carry home a large trophy, you should visit this forest. 

Address: 355 N Vernal Ave, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

24. Green River

Green River is one of the branches of the Colorado River, and it twists its way along the bumpy landscapes surrounding the vernal. 

It’s among the best ways to access some of the secluded natural attractions close to the city, with several boating tours happy to have you on board. 

During your visit to Green River, you can discover birds and mammals wandering around the river banks and snap stunning pictures of the rock formations. 

You can go kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming in one of the mild streams. You can try whitewater rafting on the rapid water if you want a more adventurous and exciting activity. 

Green River is also popular for its surplus game fish, so come along with a line and try fishing for trout, carp, catfish, and many more. 

Address: vernal, Utah, United States

25. The Western Park Complex

The Western Park Complex is a multipurpose facility with two indoor arenas, a convention center, an ice rink, a race track, an amphitheater, and two outdoor arenas. 

The park complex is home to the Unitah Basin Junior Livestock Show, Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, Unitah County Fair, Tournament of Champion High School Wrestling Tournament, and numerous state and annual county events. 

The large indoor arena has served as a venue for different events. It’s ideal for livestock shows/sales, rodeos, concerts, and trade shows. It can accommodate up to 3,000 seated audiences. 

The main outdoor stadium arena has covered seating and can accommodate up to 6,500 audiences. 

This stadium is where the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo takes place. The arena is also suitable for horsing events and can host monster trucks, demolition derby, and truck pulls. 

Address: 302 E 200 S, Vernal, UT 84078, United States

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Plan Your Trip to Vernal, UT

What are you waiting for? Hurry and make the city of Vernal, Utah, your vacation city. Indeed, there are many fun things to do in Vernal, UT, as it provides thrilling and scintillating activities that will make your holiday worthwhile and even come back next time.

It is a friendly and hospitable city with lots of historical artifacts, theaters, road and river adventures, etc.