Destination Vernal/Flaming Gorge
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Vernal and the Uinta Basin are known for high adventure and mountains! Flaming Gorge Reservoir offers spectacular outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping, biking and hiking. The Green River flows through the region, providing blue ribbon trout fishing and exciting whitewater rafting. The Uinta Mountains shelter hundreds of lakes and streams teaming with trout. These are the highest mountains in Utah and offer great opportunities for hiking, backpacking and horse or llama packing. Dinosaurs roamed this area and left countless fossils and footprints. Learn more about these creatures at Dinosaur National Monument, home to one of the largest collections of Jurassic period bones and fossils. The Utah Field House of Natural History offers a renowned museum and displays on dinosaurs and other prehistoric life. State parks at Steinaker and Red Fleet reservoirs provide modern campgrounds and wonderful opportunities for boating and fishing. There are many other opportunities for adventure in this remarkable area. Request a brochure with information about this area. |
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Dinosaur National Monument — Hunt dinosaurs at the quarry, where you can view hundreds of fossils and watch paleontologists at work. Also consider exploring the expansive, remote rugged backcountry protected within the monument's boundaries. |
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Utah Field House of Natural History Museum — Wander among replicas of dinosaur, view complete skeletons, see fossils and learn more about this area during the dinosaur era. |
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Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam offers world-class fly fish for trout. This section of river also offers moderate whitewater and is a popular day-trip for rafters. Butch Cassidy, the famous outlaw, used the river's Brown's Park as a hideout and you can learn about him at the historic Jarvie Ranch. |
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Flaming Gorge — This huge reservoir stretches form Utah's mountains into the plains of Wyoming. Its a great place for boating and water toys and is famous for trophy lake trout, kokanee salmon, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass fishing. |
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Mountain bike or hike the great trails in the Uinta Mountains, around Flaming Gorge Reservoir or in Dinosaur National Monument. During the winter there's exciting snowmobiling opportunities in this area. |
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Whitewater - The Green River's exciting rapids can be challenged on one -day trips through Split Mountain or multi-day trips through Lodore Canyon. Rafters can also do multi-day adventures on the Yampa. |
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Drive through the Ages - Scenic Byway US-191 extends from Vernal to the Wyoming border, passing Red Fleet and Steinaker state parks and through geological strata labeled to indicate what kinds of fossils the rock contains. The route provides access to Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the eastern Uinta Mountains. |
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Sheep Creek—Spirit Lake Scenic Backway — Drive through the forests of the Uinta Mountains. The drive is spectacular when leaves are changing color in the fall. It is not open during winter and much of the spring because of heavy snow. |
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Dry Fork Canyon Rock Art — View distinctive Native American rock art in this canyon near Vernal. Pick up a map and information at the travel center in Vernal. |
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Uinta Basin provides access to countless lakes, streams and recreation areas, including the High Uinta Mountains. Fishing, hunting, backpacking and boating opportunities are exceptional here. |
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The J/L Ranch Flaming Gorge Resort Falcons Ledge |
Red Canyon Lodge Raft Snowmobile Bike Hike |
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Vernal Steinaker and Red Fleet State Parks Red Canyon Overlook |
Sheep Creek Geological Loop Dry Fork Petroglyphs |
Read articles on travels and experiences in the Vernal Destination.
Vernal - Destination City
Roosevelt - 30 miles from Vernal
Altamont - 52 miles from Vernal
Dutch John - 44 miles from Vernal
Manila - 64 miles from Vernal
Dinosaur Brew Haus* - Serving up some of the best beer, burgers & bones in eastern Utah. 550 East Main Street, Vernal, UT; 435-781-0717.
7-11 Ranch Restaurant* - Featuring down home cooking and homemade scones. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday - Saturday - in Vernal. (435) 789-1170
Red Canyon Lodge* - Offers old-fashioned country meals and fine dining entrees and a special daily entrée. Open daily, April - October, for breakfast, lunch and dinner - in Dutch John. (Winter hours are Friday - Sunday afternoons.) (435) 889-3759
Curry Manor* - Restored Victorian Manor featuring prime rib, seafood, and pasta dishes. Open Monday - Friday for lunch, open Monday - Saturday for dinner - in Vernal. 435-789-2289
Stockmans* - Featuring all-you-can-eat steak night, BBQ, seafood, and special breakfast menu. Open Tuesday - Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. - 20 miles west of Vernal on state Route 121. 435-247-2300
Reader's Roost* - Specialty sandwiches, coffee shop, bookstore, puzzles, games. Open Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. - in Vernal. 435-789-8400
Major national restaurant and fast food chains available throughout the area.
*Can accommodate coach tours.
| F° averages | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| High/Low | 25/7 | 37/10 | 49/21 | 62/29 | 73/38 | 83/46 | 90/52 | 87/50 | 78/41 | 64/31 | 46/20 | 32/9 |
Check current weather conditions.
Additional information about the destination Vernal/ Flaming Gorge region can be obtained by contacting Dinosaurland Travel Region at 800-477-5558.
Destination Price - Castle Country: From Vernal, proceed east on U.S. 191/U.S. 40 to Duchesne. Continue South on U.S. 191 to Price, Utah. Distance: 113 miles - 2 hours drive time.
Destination Logan: (Via Fort Bridger, Wyoming.) From Vernal, proceed north on U.S. 191 to Route 44 and continue north to Route 43. Proceed on Route 43 to Fort Bridger Wyoming. (Utah Route 43 turns into Wyoming 414.) From Fort Bridger proceed east on I-80 to Wyoming 89. Continue north on Wyoming 89 to Utah Route 30. (Wyoming 89 turns into Utah Route 16) Proceed north on Route 16 to Route 30 and west to Bear Lake. Proceed south on US 89 to Logan, Utah. Distance: 303 miles - 6 ¾ hours drive time.
Destination Park City - Heber: From Vernal, proceed west on U.S. 40 to Route 248 and west to Park City. Distance: 146 miles - 2 ¼ hours drive time.
