Contrary to popular belief, your love for dinosaurs doesn’t have to fade away as an adult. In fact, it only means you get to embark on new adventures in search of their tracks on all seven continents. Luckily, North America is home to a broad spectrum of dinosaur fossils. Those hiking the Picketwire Canyon Trail in Colorado can discover the largest known dinosaur track site in the United States. Or, if you’re in the state next door, a getaway to Vernal will satiate your curiosity. This northeastern city in Utah might seem like an unassuming destination, but for history buffs with a knack for outdoor thrills — it’s the best of both worlds. Appropriately nicknamed “Dinosaurland,” Vernal invites visitors to hike its trails, raft along the Green River, and learn about its prehistoric past.
First things first: You need to figure out accommodations. Dinosaur Inn and Suites is a solid choice, considering its amenities and downtown location. Of course, there’s a friendly dinosaur greeting you by the entrance, and guests can take advantage of the outdoor pool. Dinosaurland KOA Holiday, on the other hand, offers a more rustic stay. Pull up in your RV, pitch a tent on the campground, or book one of the deluxe cabins or yurts. For those traveling with their pets, TownePlace Suites is a great option.
You can land directly at Vernal Regional Airport to kickstart your vacation, or at Grand Junction Regional Airport, the second closest. The drive from Salt Lake City takes 3 hours, while the underrated walkable city, Helper, is only 2 hours away. You can drive from Little America, Wyoming, too — a cool roadside attraction about 2 and a half hours away.
Live your Jurassic Park dreams in Vernal
Just outside of Vernal is Dinosaur National Monument, where visitors can walk the same grounds these colossal animals roamed 150 million years ago. If that’s not impressive enough, make your way to the Quarry Exhibit Hall to see 1,500 dinosaur bones, such as Stegosaurus and Diplodocus, on display. What’s more, you can touch some of the artifacts. When you’re not marveling at the exhibits, you can look for more specimens along the 2.4-mile Fossil Discovery Trail. To experience the desert landscape on a scenic hike, take the 3.2-mile Sound of Silence Trail. Those following the path to Swelter Shelter can admire the various petroglyphs and pictographs that indigenous tribes once carved.
The McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs is another spot where you can observe Fremont rock imagery. Believed to have originated between A.D. 800 and 1100, these petroglyphs depict anthropomorphs with intricate headpieces and geometric zoomorphs. The ranch also boasts rock imagery by the Ute people — the Bear Panel portrays an anthropomorph and a zoomorph going head-to-head. Meanwhile, over at Fantasy Canyon, sandstone and siltstone towers reach the sky, resulting in striking rock formations that resemble flying witches, otters, and even an alien head.
Beat the desert heat at Steinaker State Park, where you can fish for rainbow trout and bass, try your hand at jet skiing, and take a dip in the water. ATV riders can bring their vehicle to explore the backcountry paths. This is a prime stargazing destination, too, so you might want to consider camping here. However, more fun awaits on the Green River. Book a river rafting excursion with River Runners Transport to navigate the waters in safe hands.
Travel back in time at Vernal’s museums
