Vernal and the surrounding area is known for Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Dinosaur National Monument, Moonshine Arch, Red Fleet Reservoir, Fremont petroglyphs, Red Canyon, and more!
Directions
The northeast corner of Utah is home to Daggett and Uintah Counties. If you are coming from Salt Lake or other parts of the Wasatch Front, you can take US-40 east towards Vernal or further north you can take I-80 and WY-414 through southern Wyoming. It should take around 3 hours – 3 hours 40 minutes from the Wasatch Front depending on where you start.
I will describe the sites from north to south.
Flaming Gorge
Flaming Gorge is a large reservoir in the northeast corner of Utah and southeast Wyoming popular for boating, fishing, camping, and more that was made by damming the Green River.
Red Canyon
Red Canyon is a beautiful area with lakes and views above Flaming Gorge Reservoir in the northeast corner of Utah.
Green River
The Green River is a blue ribbon fishing spot and a great place to float the river.
Red Fleet
Red Fleet Reservoir and Dinosaur Trackway is a beautiful and fascinating spot. It’s about 55 minutes south of Flaming Gorge and 20 minutes north of Vernal, Utah.
Moonshine Arch
Moonshine Arch is an impressive large arch and a family-friendly hike.
Steinaker Reservoir
Steinaker Reservoir is popular for boating and fishing a few minutes north of Vernal, Utah.
McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs
The McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs is an incredible collection of Freemont Petroglyphs near northwest Vernal.
Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument is a quarry of thousands of dinosaur 150 million year old dinosaur fossils, Fremont petroglyphs, and more. It is located about 25 minutes west of Vernal, Utah.
Fantasy Canyon
Fantasy Canyon is a fascinating little collection of weird, weathered sandstone hoodoos to walk around or climb about 50 minutes south of Vernal, Utah.
Depending on your route, you may also pass other sites on your way to Vernal: Starvation Reservoir, Mill Hollow Area and Reservoir, Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, and Strawberry Reservoir, including the Salmon Run.
