Free & Cheap Things to Do in Vernal

Iconic Landmarks

The monument's crown jewel is the Quarry Exhibit Hall, an enclosed cliff face studded with about 1,500 Jurassic dinosaur bones — Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus and more — that you can walk right up to and even touch in spots. Beyond it lie 210,000 acres of canyons, petroglyphs, and the Green River.

Address: 11625 E 1500 S, Jensen, UT 84035 (~20 mi E of Vernal)

Tip: Entrance is $25/vehicle for 7 days; reserve the $1 timed Quarry ticket on Recreation.gov in summer, when a free shuttle runs from the visitor center. Homeschool groups can apply for an entrance-fee waiver. Don't miss the free Cub Creek scenic drive to more petroglyphs and Josie Morris's 1913 cabin.

Museums & Galleries

Vernal's downtown dinosaur museum pairs real fossils, full mounted skeletons, and a working paleontology lab with an outdoor Dinosaur Garden where 17 life-size models stand among the trees. A genuinely kid-friendly, cheap stop and the best primer before heading out to the quarry.

Address: 496 E Main St, Vernal, UT 84078

Tip: Open daily 9-5 April–September; closed Sundays October–March. A Utah State Parks pass gets you in free. The outdoor Dinosaur Garden is the highlight for younger kids — allow an hour or two. Right on Main Street, two blocks from the Museum of Uintah County.

Historic Sites

On a private ranch in Dry Fork Canyon 10 miles north of town, smooth sandstone cliffs hold more than 1,000 Fremont-culture petroglyphs in the famous 'Classic Vernal Style' — tall trapezoidal figures with elaborate headdresses, considered some of the finest rock art in North America. Short free trails reach the panels.

Address: Dry Fork Canyon, ~10 mi N of Vernal, UT 84078

Tip: No entry fee — drop a few dollars in the honor box to help the McConkie family maintain the trails. Two short trails (about 1.2 miles round trip) reach the Main and Three Kings panels; bring binoculars for the higher figures. Wear real shoes and carry water.

Parks & Nature

A red-sandstone reservoir 10 miles north of Vernal best known for its dinosaur trackway — 200-million-year-old three-toed footprints pressed into a sloping rock ledge, reached by a 1.5-mile hiking trail (or a short paddle across the lake). Swimming, boating, and lakeside camping fill out the day.

Address: 8750 N Hwy 191, Vernal, UT 84078

Tip: Day-use is $15/vehicle. The dinosaur trackway shows best in early-morning or late-day raking light; the trail is exposed, so carry water. Many visitors kayak straight across the reservoir to the tracks. The red-rock 'fleet' formations rising from the water give the park its name.

History & Culture

A free downtown museum telling the Uinta Basin's story — Ute and Fremont artifacts, pioneer and ranching life, the oil-and-gas boom, and the outlaws of the nearby Outlaw Trail, Butch Cassidy among them. Rotating art shows and kids' scavenger hunts keep it lively.

Address: 155 E Main St, Vernal, UT 84078

Tip: Free admission, open year-round (Mon–Thu 9-6, Fri 9-5). Grab a scavenger-hunt sheet for the kids at the front desk. A quick, well-done stop on Main Street that pairs naturally with the Utah Field House two blocks west.

Scenic Drives

Forty miles north of Vernal, the Red Canyon Visitor Center perches on a rim 1,400 feet above the deep-blue water of Flaming Gorge Reservoir — one of the most dramatic free overlooks in Utah. Interpretive exhibits, a short rim trail, and picnic tables make it an easy day-trip stop.

Address: Red Canyon Rd off Hwy 44, Dutch John, UT 84023

Tip: The overlook and visitor center are free; the drive up Hwy 191 on the Flaming Gorge–Uintas Scenic Byway is half the reward. Visitor center is open daily Memorial Day–Labor Day. Some developed recreation sites in the NRA charge a $5 day-use fee, but the overlook itself doesn't.

Outdoors

A warm-water reservoir just north of Vernal popular for swimming, paddleboarding, and bass fishing, with a sandy beach, easy lakeside trails, and a campground. One of the closest spots to cool off after a day out in the dinosaur badlands.

Address: 4335 N Hwy 191, Vernal, UT 84078

Tip: Day-use is $15/vehicle. The reservoir's relatively warm water makes it the local swimming hole; the boat ramp and beach are the busiest spots in summer. Quieter and far closer to town than Flaming Gorge.

Quirky Landmarks

Vernal leans all the way into its nickname, 'Dinosaurland.' Giant dinosaur statues line the streets — most famously Dinah, the 40-foot pink Brontosaurus that has greeted visitors for decades — alongside dino-themed shops, murals, and a walkable historic Main Street. A free, photo-friendly stroll.

Address: Main St, Vernal, UT 84078

Tip: Snap a photo with Dinah, then walk Main Street for more dinosaur statues and local shops. The Visit Dinosaurland travel office can point you to current murals and seasonal events. Free and good for stretching your legs between the longer drives out to the parks.