Vacation Guide: Vernal, Utah

If you're planning a summer vacation in Utah, then Vernal is a place you won't want to miss. This little town in northeast Utah is a great destination to experience the beauties of nature and the wonders of geological history. Vernal is a great location for visiting the Dinosaur National Monument, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, and the beautiful Uinta Mountains.

Vernal is home to the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, which includes the 22,000-square foot Utah Field House Museum. This museum is a great place for the family, complete with dinosaur skeletons and displays, as well as many geological and archaeological exhibits. Kids will love the hands-on exhibits, including one that lets them try their own hands at digging for dinosaur bones. The museum also includes the impressive Dinosaur Gardens, with life-size replicas of various dinosaurs. Museum admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. The museum is located at 496 East Main (Highway 40) in Vernal, Utah and is open year round. For more information, call 435-789-3799.

After visiting the museum, you can make the short drive to Dinosaur National Monument, which is only 20 miles east of Vernal. This amazing site has been one of the most productive locations for discovering dinosaur bones in the world. The original Quarry Area contains a quarry of around 1,600 exposed dinosaur bones. Dinosaur National Monument also includes many scenic walking, biking and driving routes, as well as Indian petroglyphs, the Tour of Tilted Rocks, and white water rafting opportunities on the Green and Yampa Rivers. Call 970-374-3000 for more details from the Visitor's Center.

Flaming Gorge is another great attraction in the area, located 35 miles north of Vernal. This National Recreation Area is a very popular attraction. The beautiful Flaming Gorge Lake is a great location for fishing, boating, jet skiing, and other water sports. The area is complete with amazing scenery and has many hiking and camping areas. Flaming Gorge's main season runs from May to September, but a few facilities are open in the winter months for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. The information center can be reached at 435-784-3445.

The Vernal, Utah area also provides numerous Scenic Byways including the beautiful Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway, the Indian Canyon Scenic Byway, and the Red Cloud/Dry Fork Loop, as well as others. These incredible scenic driving routes will take you through the beautiful Uinta Mountains, complete with Indian petroglyphs, national forests, river canyons, mountain streams, and geological wonders. These amazing views are definitely a sight you won't want to miss!

So be sure to remember Vernal in your next vacation plans. It's a beautiful and unforgettable destination that your whole family will love!

Sources: http://www.go-utah.com/vernal