Dave Wilson
Owner & Lead Guide · Adventure Tours Vernal
Dave Wilson is the owner and lead guide of Adventure Tours Vernal, the premier UTV tour company in the Uintah Basin. Growing up exploring the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains, Dave developed a lifelong passion for outdoor adventure. After relocating to Vernal, Utah with his wife Trudy, he founded Adventure Tours Vernal to share the natural wonders of the Uintah Basin — from Dinosaur National Monument to Flaming Gorge — with visitors and locals alike.
Areas of Expertise
- UTV tours in Vernal, Utah
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Flaming Gorge
- Uintah Basin backcountry trails
- Kawasaki KRX 1000 side-by-side tours
- Utah outdoor adventure
About Adventure Tours Vernal
Adventure Tours Vernal is a locally owned UTV tour company in Vernal, UT, founded by Dave Wilson and Trudy Wilson. Tours run on a fleet of 6 Kawasaki KRX 1000 side-by-sides through the Uintah Basin backcountry — from Dinosaur National Monument to Flaming Gorge. Read the full story.
Articles by Dave Wilson
- Alpine Lakes Hiking in the High Uintas: A Local's Guide
A local's guide to alpine lakes hiking in the High Uintas near Vernal, Utah — choosing a lake, day hikes, fishing, photography, and enjoying the high country.
- Backcountry Tours in Vernal, Utah | Guided UTV Adventures
Guided backcountry UTV tours in Vernal, Utah. Explore remote canyons, petroglyphs, outlaw trails, and hidden arches in Kawasaki KRX 1000 side-by-sides. Book today.
- Beginner Hiking Near Vernal: A First-Timer's Guide
A local's guide to beginner hiking near Vernal, Utah: where to start, what makes a trail beginner-friendly, and how to pick your first hike.
- Beginner's Guide to UTV Tours in Vernal, Utah
A beginner's guide to guided UTV tours in Vernal, Utah — no off-road experience needed. Expert local guides, Kawasaki KRX 1000 machines, easy booking.
- Best Hikes in Dinosaur National Monument
A local's guide to the best hikes in Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, Utah — fossil trails, canyon overlooks, petroglyph walks, and easy family routes.
- Best UTV Trails Near Vernal, Utah | Adventure Tours Vernal
The 5 best UTV and side-by-side trails near Vernal, Utah. Guided Kawasaki KRX 1000 tours through canyons, arches, and desert backcountry in the Uintah Basin.
- Bird Watching Near Vernal: A Local's Birding Hikes Guide
A local's guide to bird watching while hiking near Vernal, Utah — where, when, and how to find birds across the rivers, reservoirs, deserts, and mountains here.
- Camping at Flaming Gorge: The Complete Guide
How to plan a camping trip to Flaming Gorge near Vernal, Utah — developed campgrounds, RV vs tent, shoreline sites, fishing and boating from camp, and family tips.
- Camping at Red Fleet State Park: The Complete Guide
How to plan a camping trip at Red Fleet State Park near Vernal, Utah: lakeside sites, RV vs tent, family camping, dinosaur trackway access, and paddling from camp.
- Camping at Steinaker State Park: The Complete Guide
How to plan a lakeside camping trip at Steinaker State Park near Vernal, Utah: RV vs tent sites, family camping, swimming, paddling, and fishing from camp.
- Camping in Ashley National Forest: The Complete Guide
Plan a camping trip in Ashley National Forest near Vernal, Utah: developed campgrounds, dispersed camping, alpine sites, family camping, backpacking basecamps.
- Cub Creek Road: Tour of the Tilted Rocks Guide
Drive Cub Creek Road (Tour of the Tilted Rocks) in Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, Utah — petroglyphs, the Josie Morris cabin, geology, and family tips.
- Dog-Friendly Hiking Near Vernal: A Local's Guide
A local's guide to dog-friendly hiking near Vernal, Utah: how to choose safe trails for your dog by heat, water, terrain, wildlife, and season.
- Fall Hiking Near Vernal: A Local's Autumn Guide
A local's guide to fall hiking near Vernal, Utah — where and when to find autumn color, cooler trails, and active wildlife across Dinosaur Country each fall.
- Family Hiking Near Vernal: Easy Trails for Kids & Grandparents
A local's guide to family hiking near Vernal, Utah — easy desert and mountain trails, dinosaur hikes, and wildlife for kids, grandparents, and first-timers.
- Family UTV Guide: Vernal Tours with Kids & Grandparents
Planning a family UTV tour in Vernal, Utah? A local guide's advice on riding with kids and grandparents — ages, comfort, safety, and pacing the day.
- Fishing Flaming Gorge: Complete Angler's Guide
How to plan a successful fishing trip to Flaming Gorge — lake trout, brown trout, kokanee, and bass, plus shore, boat, ice, and seasonal tactics near Vernal, Utah.
- Fishing Red Fleet Reservoir: The Family Angler's Guide
Fishing Red Fleet Reservoir near Vernal, Utah — the region's most approachable family reservoir. Shore, kayak, and small-boat tactics, species, and seasons.
- Fishing Steinaker Reservoir: Vernal's Local Lake
Fishing Steinaker Reservoir near Vernal, Utah — the closest, most convenient local lake. Shore, boat, and kayak tactics, species, seasons, and a half-day plan.
- Flaming Gorge–Uintas Scenic Byway: Mile-by-Mile Guide
How to drive the Flaming Gorge–Uintas Scenic Byway near Vernal, Utah — best direction, stops, overlooks, geology, timing, and RV, family, and photo tips.
- Fun Things to Do in Vernal, Utah with Kids | Family Activities
Family-friendly things to do in Vernal, Utah with kids — UTV tours (ages 2+), dinosaur exhibits, state parks, rock art, and outdoor adventures for all ages.
- Green River Fly Fishing Below Flaming Gorge Dam
Plan a Green River fly fishing trip below Flaming Gorge Dam — one of America's great tailwaters. Wading, floats, guides, seasons, and beginner advice near Vernal.
- Group UTV Tours in Vernal, Utah | Family & Private Groups
Group UTV tours in Vernal, Utah for families, reunions, corporate teams, and private parties — up to 12 guests across 6 Kawasaki KRX 1000 machines.
- High Uintas Backpacking Guide: Plan a Wilderness Trip
A local's planning guide to backpacking the High Uintas near Vernal, Utah — who it's for, planning a first trip, alpine lakes, weather, wildlife, and Leave No Trace.
- High Uintas Day Hikes: Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trails
A local's guide to the best High Uintas day hikes near Vernal, Utah — alpine lakes, scenic trails, family walks, and how to enjoy the high country in a day.
- Kings Peak Guide: Climbing Utah's Highest Mountain
A local's planning guide to Kings Peak, Utah's highest mountain at 13,528 feet — who should attempt it, difficulty, altitude, seasons, and how to prepare.
- Moab UTV Tours Alternative | Adventure Tours Vernal, Utah
Same Utah red-rock adventure, no Moab crowds, lower prices. Guided KRX 1000 tours from $349. 5.0 stars, 82 reviews. Call (435) 219-9447.
- Petroglyphs & Rock Art Sites Near Vernal, Utah
Discover ancient petroglyphs, rock art, and ruins near Vernal, Utah. Explore thousand-year-old Fremont and Ute sites on guided UTV tours through the Uintah Basin.
- Photography Hikes Near Vernal: A Local's Photo Guide
A local's guide to photography hikes near Vernal, Utah — where and when to shoot red-rock, alpine, sunrise, sunset, and night-sky landscapes in Dinosaur Country.
- Private UTV Tours in Vernal, Utah | Couples & Small Groups
Private guided UTV tours in Vernal, Utah for couples, anniversaries, and small families who want the trail, the pace, and the day entirely to themselves.
- Red Cloud Loop Scenic Drive: A Complete Guide
Drive the Red Cloud Loop scenic backway near Vernal, Utah — high-country forest, mountain reservoirs, fall color, wildlife, photography, timing, and vehicle tips.
- Sheep Creek Geological Loop: Scenic Drive Guide
Drive the Sheep Creek Geological Loop near Flaming Gorge, Utah — tilted-rock geology, scenic stops, overlooks, wildlife, photography, timing, and family tips.
- Side-by-Side Rentals Near Vernal, Utah | Guided UTV Tours
Side-by-side or ATV rentals near Vernal, Utah? Adventure Tours Vernal offers guided Kawasaki KRX 1000 tours — machine, guide, gear, and trail access included.
- Spring Hiking Near Vernal: A Local's Guide to the Thaw
A local's guide to spring hiking near Vernal, Utah — where spring arrives first, where snow lingers, and how to plan hikes as Dinosaur Country wakes up.
- Summer Hiking Near Vernal: A Local's High-Country Guide
A local's guide to summer hiking near Vernal, Utah — why hikers climb the mountain for alpine relief, how to plan by elevation and daylight, and beat the heat.
- The Ultimate Guide to Ashley National Forest
A local guide's complete plan for Ashley National Forest, Utah — the High Uintas, alpine lakes, hiking, camping, fishing, scenic drives, and trip-planning tips.
- The Ultimate Guide to Dinosaur National Monument
A local guide's complete plan to visit Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, Utah — fossils, petroglyphs, scenic drives, hikes, wildlife, seasons, and trip tips.
- The Ultimate Guide to Flaming Gorge
A local guide's complete plan for visiting Flaming Gorge, Utah — reservoir recreation, boating, fishing, camping, scenic drives, and seasonal trip-planning tips.
- The Ultimate Guide to Red Fleet State Park
A local guide's complete plan for Red Fleet State Park near Vernal, Utah — dinosaur trackways, kayaking, swimming, fishing, camping, and trip-planning tips.
- The Ultimate Guide to Steinaker State Park
A local guide's complete plan for Steinaker State Park near Vernal, Utah — reservoir swimming, boating, paddleboarding, fishing, camping, and trip-planning tips.
- The Ultimate Guide to Vernal, Utah
A local guide's complete plan for visiting Vernal, Utah — geography, history, getting there, where to stay, and trip-planning tips for Dinosaur Country.
- Top Attractions in Vernal, Utah | Best Sights & Places to Visit
The top attractions and sights in Vernal, Utah — Dinosaur National Monument, guided UTV tours, petroglyphs, state parks, and places to visit in the Uintah Basin.
- Vernal, Utah Weather Guide for Outdoor Activities
Month-by-month weather guide for Vernal, Utah. Plan your UTV tour, hiking, or Dinosaur National Monument visit with seasonal temperatures, conditions, and tips.
- What to Bring on a UTV Tour | Adventure Tours Vernal, Utah
Complete packing guide for guided UTV tours in Vernal, Utah. What to wear, seasonal clothing tips, what's provided, and what not to bring. Call (435) 219-9447.
- What to Wear on a Desert UTV Tour
Clothing and gear guide for UTV tours in Utah's high desert. What to wear, what to bring, and what to leave at home for a guided side-by-side tour near Vernal.
- Wildflower Hiking Near Vernal: Follow the Bloom Uphill
A local's guide to wildflower hiking near Vernal, Utah — where and when to follow the bloom uphill as it climbs from the desert to the High Uintas.
- Wildlife Hiking Near Vernal: A Local's Wildlife-Viewing Guide
A local's guide to wildlife hiking near Vernal, Utah — where, when, and how to see deer, elk, moose, birds, and desert animals responsibly across Dinosaur Country.
- Winter Hiking Near Vernal: A Local's Cold-Season Guide
A local's guide to winter hiking near Vernal, Utah — where cold-season hiking is realistic, how desert and mountain trails differ, and how to plan safely.
Guided UTV tours through Dinosaur Country.
$349/machine · 3 hours · up to 2 riders
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