Vernal, Utah, is known as Dinosaurland and is one of America's premier destinations for dinosaur fossils, outdoor adventure, and family travel. Explore Dinosaur National Monument, the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, Red Fleet State Park, and nearby Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area while discovering the spectacular landscapes of eastern Utah and western Colorado.
Dinosaur National Monument preserves one of the largest concentrations of Jurassic-age dinosaur fossils in the United States. The monument spans 329 square miles across northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado. The world-famous dinosaur fossil quarry is located near Jensen, Utah, while the Colorado side showcases breathtaking scenery along the Green and Yampa Rivers.
Don't miss: The iconic Quarry Exhibit Hall (Wall of Bones), where more than 1,500 dinosaur fossils remain embedded in the cliff face; the scenic Tour of the Tilted Rocks drive in Utah; and the spectacular Harpers Corner Scenic Drive overlooking the Green and Yampa River canyons in Colorado.
Vernal, Utah: Dinosaurs, Flaming Gorge & Outdoor Adventures
#1 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. Visit the world-famous Quarry Exhibit Hall to see the incredible "Wall of Bones," an exposed cliff face containing nearly 1,500 dinosaur fossils. Discover Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus, and other Jurassic dinosaurs while exploring interactive exhibits that reveal how paleontologists uncovered one of the world's richest dinosaur fossil sites. It's one of the most unforgettable dinosaur experiences in North America.
How were the dinosaur bones discovered? The story begins with philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, whose passion for paleontology inspired one of North America's greatest dinosaur fossil discoveries. In 1909, paleontologist Earl Douglass was sent to the rugged Uinta Mountains near present-day Dinosaur National Monument to search for fossils exposed in ancient Jurassic rock layers. His efforts led to an extraordinary discovery that transformed the site into one of the world's most important dinosaur quarries.
Between 1909 and 1923, Douglass and his team excavated more than 350 tons of dinosaur fossils, including several remarkably complete skeletons. Many of these fossils were shipped by rail from Jensen, Utah, to museums across the United States, where they were carefully reassembled. Some specimens still bear handwritten labels reading, "Shipped from Jensen, Utah," preserving a direct connection to the place where these ancient giants were unearthed.
#2 Tour 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 is one of Utah's most spectacular scenic drives, following Highways 191 and 44 through the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. This breathtaking route winds through the Uinta Mountains, lush forests, alpine meadows, and striking red-rock landscapes before revealing dramatic overlooks of the deep blue waters of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
Along the way, discover panoramic viewpoints, abundant wildlife, scenic hiking trails, world-class fishing, boating, campgrounds, picnic areas, and countless scenic pullouts. Whether you're planning a leisurely road trip, a family vacation, or an outdoor adventure, the Flaming Gorge–Uintas National Scenic Byway offers some of the most unforgettable scenery in Utah.
#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 are still visible along the reservoir's slickrock shoreline. Many of the tracks measure 10 to 12 inches across and display the distinctive three-toed footprints left by prehistoric dinosaurs as they crossed soft mud that later hardened into stone.
The Dinosaur Trackway Trail is a moderately challenging hike featuring rocky and sandy terrain with several short elevation changes. The well-marked trail leads to one of Utah's most impressive dinosaur track sites, where hundreds of fossilized footprints provide a fascinating glimpse into the Jurassic Period. Some of the tracks are believed to have been made by Dilophosaurus-like theropods, giving visitors the rare opportunity to literally walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs that lived about 150 million years ago.
For the best viewing experience, visit early morning or late afternoon, when angled sunlight makes footprints easier to see. Because the tracks are located near the shoreline, the number of visible footprints varies with reservoir water levels. Download the AllTrails app before your visit for trail maps, navigation, and current hiking information.
#6 Fantasy Canyon - With its bizarre rock sculptures and otherworldly scenery, Fantasy Canyon feels like walking across the surface of another planet
Discover the surreal beauty of Fantasy Canyon, one of Utah's most extraordinary geological wonders. Often described as an otherworldly landscape, this hidden gem features intricate rock formations with towering spires, twisted shapes, delicate fins, and sculpted layers carved by millions of years of wind and water erosion. Formed during the Eocene Epoch nearly 40 million years ago, these sandstone and siltstone formations include the canyon's most famous landmark, the "Flying Witch."
Although Fantasy Canyon covers less than a square mile, it is packed with remarkable geological formations. An easy, well-maintained loop trail allows visitors to wander among the bizarre rock sculptures and appreciate their incredible detail from every angle. Located about 27 miles south of Vernal, Utah, Fantasy Canyon is a rewarding side trip for photographers, geology enthusiasts, and anyone looking to explore one of the state's most unique landscapes.
