The location of the City of Vernal was first looked upon in 1776 by The Escalante Expedition. The Expedition was composed of ten men looking for a more direct route to Monterey, California. There is no further record of any white man visiting the area until 1825 when General Ashley came through leaving his name on both Creek and Valley.
Among Vernal's more famous visitors was the infamous Wild Bunch. The group consisted of: Harry Longabaugh (Sundance Kid), Ben Kilpatrick, Robert L. Parker (Butch Cassidy), Bill Carver, and Harry Logan.
Although a relatively small town, Vernal has many places to go and things to do for fun. Here are just a few of
Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo
Voted one of the PRCA's top rodeos three years in a row, the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo is one of the biggest events of the year in Vernal.
Dinosaurland
So what's Dinosaurland? Dinosaurland is Northeastern Utah. It's Flaming Gorge Country and the largest Jurassic Dinosaur Quarry in the world. It's Dinosaur National Monument, scenic byways, state parks, wilderness areas, heritage trails, petroglyphs, and just plain old family fun and adventure. It's world-class fishing, river running, hiking, biking, and camping in alpine meadows and red-rock canyons.
Nine Mile Scenic Backway
Home to what some believe to be the greatest concentration of Fremont Indian Rock Art in the world, Nine-Mile Canyon is famous for its petroglyphs (carvings) and pictographs (paintings) of animals, hunting scenes and classic trapezoidal figures.
This scenic backway highlights buff-colored canyon cliffs, balanced rocks, window arches, ancient cliff granaries, and a deserted saloon. Enjoyed best as an all-day outing, the backway is 80 miles long. The road is mostly unpaved, but well graded. Although not recommended for vehicles longer than 22 feet, a passenger car can make it easily, except during the most severe weather. With no gas stations or convenience stores along the route, Nine-Mile Canyon remains a real western frontier experience.
Jones Hole Scenic Backway
This route begins four miles east of Vernal, climbing 2,600 feet to Diamond Mountain Plateau. From there it travels east toward Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery, dropping dramatically into a narrow, rugged canyon with spectacular colorful cliffs. After visiting the hatchery, walk over to Jones Hole following Jones Creek down the canyon.
Part of Dinosaur National Monument, this four-mile trail, packed with Fremont Indian pictographs, lush streamside vegetation, and spectacular rock walls that rise hundreds of feet above the canyon wall.This trip is an 80 mile round trip and holds secrets of Dinosaurs worth every bit of the 2 hour drive. Higher elevation portions of the route may be impassable in winter.
Vernal One Day Tours
Some of the best kept secrets in the Vernal area are only as far away as your car keys. Whether you're hunting for fossils, looking for Fremont Indian rock art, or scouting for incredible vistas, Marketed under Dinosaurland are eleven One-Day Tours are just what you need to get started. Take one. Take two. Whatever you do, take some time and really dig into Dinosaurland.
- Diamond Mountain Jones Hole & Fish Hatchery
- Indian Petroglyphs Dry Fork Canyon
- Red Cloud Loop Scenic Backway
- Red Fleet & Steinaker Lake State Parks
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Outlaw Country
- Vernal Walking Tour
- Sheep Creek Canyon and Spirit Lake
- Indian Canyon Scenic Byway
- North Fork of the Duchesne River
- Rock Creek Canyon and Upper Stillwater Reservoir
Hiking and Biking Trails in Vernal
You'll discover a wealth of interesting rides and hikes in Dinosaurland - from the Uinta Mountains to Dinosaur National Monument - from Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area to Dry Fork Canyon.
Dinosaur Diamond Partnership
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