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Vernal is located on the northeastern border of Utah and western Colorado. Though the town is small and unassuming, visitors travel the world to see Vernal and the surrounding areas to learn more about its original residents—dinosaurs. This area is famous for its incredible volume of dinosaur fossils, footprints, and various dig sites, earning it the nickname “Dinosaurland.”
Vernal is also a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts eager to take part in fishing, river rafting, hunting, and other activities due to its close proximity to the Green River and Flaming Gorge. You can hunt antelope on the hills, hook into a trophy brown trout on the river, or just enjoy some rafting.
Flaming Gorge is world-famous for its massive lake trout, which can exceed 50 pounds. There are also great fishing opportunities for brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and even the eel-like burbot.
This town is one of very few Utah towns that were not settled by the Mormon pioneers. Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormon church, sent a scouting party to the area in 1861 and was later told that the area was unimpressive and not worth settling.
Not long afterward, President Abraham Lincoln deemed the area fit for the Uintah Indian Reservation, and in subsequent years many white settlers began to put down roots in the area. Brigham Young might have changed his mind if he could have seen this town and its many offerings in present day.
Driving Directions:
From Salt Lake City, travel east on I-80 and US-40 until you reach Vernal, approximately a three-hour drive by car.
Things to do:
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Dry Fork Canyon - Native American Petroglyphs
Utah Field House Of Natural History and State Park
Red Fleet Reservoir State Park
Little Hole National Recreation Trail
Josie Morris Cabin - Dinosaur National Monument
Lodging:
Vernal Utah Hotels (Affiliate Link)
Vernal Utah Vacation Rentals (Affiliate Link)
Camping in the Ashley National Forest
More Information:
Vernal City Hall
374 East Main Street
Vernal, UT 84078
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