Settled in 1878, Vernal sits in the northeast part of the state, in the midst of Utah's "Dinosaurland" region. The No. 1 dino attraction is
Dinosaur National Monument, which lies 10 mi/16 km east of town and extends into Colorado. It's one of the richest collections of dinosaur history in the world. More than 20 full skeletons and 11 species of dinosaurs have been unearthed in the park.
You can see some of the prehistoric remains in the Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center (near Jensen). It contains brachiosaurus and brontosaurus skeletons, as well as the petrified bones of crocodiles and turtles. In addition, there are two self-guided driving tours in the park. Near the Dinosaur Quarry Visitor Center is the Tour of the Tilted Rocks, a 17-mi/27-km round-trip drive. Along the way, you'll encounter petroglyphs, a nature trail and the historic Morris Homestead. Near the Monument Headquarters Visitor Center (near Dinosaur, Colorado) is Journey Through Time, a 60-mi/95-km circuit that concludes with a 1-mi/1.6-km nature walk. The walk offers views of the Yampa and Green rivers 2,000 ft/610 m below.
You can find out more about the dinosaur era at the Utah Field House State Park Museum in Vernal. It has a garden that re-creates the region's environment during prehistoric times. (Look for dinosaur sculptures among the greenery.) North of Vernal is Steinaker State Park with beaches, swimming, boating, waterskiing, fishing and camping.
170 mi/275 km east of Salt Lake City.
