Hotels in Vernal

Dinosaur bones practically litter the landscape around this gateway to prehistoric wonders. At Utah Field House of Natural History, life-sized replicas tower over fossil collections that kids can actually touch. The real treasures await at Dinosaur National Monument, where ancient bones still emerge from rock walls in a mind-boggling display. Red Fleet State Park offers hiking trails with actual dinosaur footprints preserved in sandstone. After a day of exploration, cool off with a swim in Steinaker Reservoir or cast a line into Green River's trout-rich waters. For a quirky photo op, snap a picture with the pink brontosaurus statue downtown – it's become something of an unofficial mascot for a town that embraces its Jurassic credentials with unabashed enthusiasm.