Vernal, Utah Travel Guide: Dinosaurs, Flaming Gorge & Outdoor Adventures
Vernal, primarily known as "Dinosaurland" for its rich dinosaur fossil record, is a hotspot for paleontological research. Attractions include Dinosaur National Monument, the Natural History State Park Museum, and Red Fleet State Park. It's a hub for outdoor recreation, including Flaming Gorge, and a gateway to exploring the stunning landscapes of eastern Utah and western Colorado. Dinosaur National Monument contains the largest concentration of Jurassic-age dinosaur fossils in the United States. It spans 329 square miles with parts of the monument in northwest Colorado and northeast Utah.
Note: The Monument spans Colorado and Utah; dinosaur fossils are visible only in Utah, while Colorado features the scenic canyons of the Green and Yampa Rivers.
Must visit: The famous Quarry Exhibit Hall "Wall of Bones", which displays dinosaur fossils, and the Tour of the Tilted Rocks Scenic Drive are located in Utah near Jensen. The Harpers Corner Scenic Drive is located on the Colorado side near Dinosaur, Colorado.
#1 The Quarry Exhibit Hall "Wall of Bones"
Step back 150 million years at Dinosaur National Monument, where dinosaurs once roamed, and their fossils remain preserved in stone. Discover the famous "Wall of Bones" inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall, featuring an exposed cliff face with nearly 1,500 dinosaur fossils, including remains of Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, and Stegosaurus, along with interactive exhibits and fascinating paleontological displays.
How were the dinosaur bones discovered? The story begins with Andrew Carnegie, whose passion for paleontology helped spark one of the greatest fossil discoveries in North America. In 1909, paleontologist Earl Douglass was sent to the Uinta Mountains to search for dinosaur remains exposed by ancient rock formations. Between 1909 and 1923, Douglass and his team excavated more than 350 tons of fossils, including several complete dinosaur skeletons. These remarkable discoveries were shipped from Jensen, Utah, to museums across the country, where they were carefully reassembled with notes indicating "Shipped from Jensen [Utah]."
#2 Tour of the Tilted Rocks Scenic Drive
Pro Tip: At the Quarry Welcome Center, purchase the $1 guidebook, which provides details on stops and points of interest along the 10-mile route.
After exploring the quarry, take a scenic drive along the Tilted Rocks Scenic Drive (Cub Creek Road). This winding road showcases dramatic geologic formations, breathtaking overlooks of the Green River, hiking trails for all skill levels, easily accessible rock art sites, and the historic Josie Morris Cabin, offering a glimpse into pioneer life in the early 1900s.
Discover remarkable petroglyphs and pictographs created by the Fremont people, who inhabited the region between A.D. 300 and 1300. These ancient rock art panels reflect the connection to the landscape and feature the distinctive “Vernal Classic Style,” known for humanlike figures with broad, trapezoidal shoulders that narrow to thin waists. The art depicts bighorn sheep, elk, deer, snakes, and lizards, as well as geometric designs such as spirals and circles.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, log cabins were built by homesteaders and outlaws seeking refuge. Cabins were constructed from local wood, and life consisted of endless hours of chopping wood, cooking meals, milking cows, and tending to the chicken coop and vegetable garden.
The Desert Voices Trail is a 1.7-mile round-trip loop that climbs 300 feet and rewards hikers with panoramic views of Split Mountain and the colorful rock layers that tell the story of millions of years of geologic change. For an easier walk, the Box Canyon Trail is a gentle 0.25-mile round-trip stroll into a cool, shaded canyon that once served as a natural corral where Josie Morris raised and cared for her livestock.
#3 Harpers Corner Scenic Drive
MUST SEE! Harpers Corner Scenic Drive is a breathtaking 62-mile paved round-trip journey through the Colorado section of Dinosaur National Monument. Following the canyon rim high above the Green and Yampa Rivers, the route offers sweeping panoramas of deep gorges, rugged cliffs, and dramatic desert landscapes. The final 12 miles feature a series of spectacular overlooks, with some viewpoints rising more than 2,500 feet above the river corridors below.
At the end of the drive, the Harpers Corner Trail leads to one of the monument's most iconic vistas. This easy 2-mile round-trip hike rewards visitors with stunning views into Whirlpool Canyon, Lodore Canyon, and Yampa Canyon, showcasing the immense scale and beauty of the region's wilderness.
The scenic drive begins at the Canyon Visitor Center in Dinosaur, Colorado. Before setting out, be sure to fill your fuel tank and bring plenty of water, snacks, and supplies, as there are no services along Harpers Corner Road.
#4 The Flaming Gorge
The Flaming Gorge–Uintas National Scenic Byway follows Highways 191 and 44 through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West. This breathtaking route winds through the Uinta Mountains, dense forests, alpine meadows, and dramatic red-rock landscapes before revealing stunning overlooks of the deep blue waters of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Along the way, travelers can enjoy panoramic vistas, wildlife viewing, hiking trails, fishing, boating, and numerous scenic pullouts, making this byway one of Utah's premier road-trip destinations.
#5 Red Fleet State Park: Discover Dinosaur Tracks!
Step back 150 million years at the Dinosaur Trackway in Red Fleet State Park, where remarkably preserved dinosaur footprints can still be seen along the reservoir's slickrock shoreline. Many of the tracks measure 10 to 12 inches across and feature the distinctive three-toed impressions left by dinosaurs that once walked across soft, muddy sediments.
The Dinosaur Trackway Trail is a moderately challenging hike within Red Fleet State Park, featuring rocky and sandy terrain with several elevation changes. The route is well marked. For the best viewing experience, plan your visit in the early morning or late afternoon when angled sunlight enhances the visibility of the tracks. Because the footprints are near the shoreline, the number of visible tracks can vary with reservoir water levels. Downloading the AllTrails app before your visit can help with navigation and trail details.
#6 Fantasy Canyon
Discover the surreal beauty of Fantasy Canyon, one of Utah's most unique geological wonders. Often described as an otherworldly landscape, this hidden gem features intricate rock formations with spindly towers, twisted shapes, and delicate layers sculpted by millions of years of wind and water erosion. Known locally as the "Flying Witch," Fantasy Canyon showcases remarkable sandstone and siltstone formations deposited during the Eocene Epoch, nearly 40 million years ago.
Although relatively small in size, Fantasy Canyon is packed with fascinating geological features. An easy, well-maintained loop trail allows visitors to explore the unusual formations up close. Located approximately 27 miles south of Vernal, Fantasy Canyon is a worthwhile side trip for anyone seeking a truly unique outdoor experience.
Want to learn more about visiting 8 nearby National Parks and an easy planning guide? Click Here for more Adventures.
