Vernal
Vernal is a city in Northeastern Utah.
Understand
Vernal is the second largest town in Northeastern Utah.
Get in
Vernal does have an airport, Vernal Regional Airport (VEL) but it is very small. Great Lakes Airlines flies from Vernal to Moab and Denver. Vernal is also along a Greyhound Bus route between Denver and Salt Lake City. The best way to get to town is by car, along US Highway 40.
Get around
The scale and road layout of Vernal means the most practical way around is by personal auto. However, the Uintah Basin Transit Association [dead link] bus system provides some transit options.
See
- 1 Utah Field House of Natural History, 496 E Main St (Downtown, at 500 East St), ☏ +1-435-789-3799. Daily 9AM–5PM (-7PM summers), Sun 9AM–5PM (closed winters). This carefully-designed museum skillfully interweaves stories of the Vernal region's geology, its fossils and the past ecosystems they depict, and the activities of paleontology. At its core is a spiral corridor that takes you through the geologic eras. An outdoor garden features life-size replicas of several dinosaurs. This is an excellent complement to a Dinosaur National Monument visit, or the drive to Flaming Gorge. Adults $7.
Do
Vernal is a beautiful town known for its outdoor activities such as white water rafting and fishing the Yampa and Green Rivers, water activities at Flaming Gorge Recreation Area (207,000-acre reservoir), four-wheeling and hiking. If you love the outdoors, you will love Vernal.
Nearby Dinosaur National Monument exhibits some of the oldest dinosaur artifacts ever found, as well as beautiful desert mountain scenery. The dinosaur theme is plentiful throughout Vernal as well.
Buy
On the west side of downtown, there is a retail district with many big-box stores.
Eat
- 1 Vernal Brewing Company, 55 South 500 East (Downtown, across from Natural History Museum), ☏ +1-435-781-2337. Mo–Sa 11:30AM–9PM, Su closed. Alcohol-restricted Utah isn't the first place you'd think of for a sleek craft beer brew pub with exquisite food, yet here it is. Nine in-house brews. Burgers, sandwiches, pasta, steaks. Some vegetarian options. Entrees $15–25.
Drink
Sleep
- [dead link] Landmark Inn & Suites, 301 E 100 S, toll-free: +1-888-738-1800. Offers free hot breakfast each morning with omelets, bacon, sausage, waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, juices, and more. Amenities include a workout room, conference room, and free wireless internet.
Connect
Go next
| Routes through Vernal |
| END ← Park City ← | W  E |
→ Steamboat Springs → Denver |
| Rock Springs ← Flaming Gorge N.R.A. ← | N  S |
→ Helper → Moab |