Vernal is one of Utah’s best-kept secrets for family vacations. Where else can your kids see real dinosaur fossils in the rock, walk up to thousand-year-old petroglyphs, and ride through canyon country in a side-by-side — all in the same weekend? Here’s what to do when you bring the family.
A child beside a Kawasaki KRX 1000 and the giant roadside dinosaur statue in downtown Vernal, Utah
A young rider beside Vernal’s roadside dinosaur and the Kawasaki KRX fleet.

Guided UTV Tours — Ages 2 and Up

Adventure Tours Vernal’s guided Kawasaki KRX 1000 tours are one of the most popular family activities in the Uintah Basin. Children as young as 2 can ride as a passenger alongside a parent in the 2-seater KRX, which features a full roll cage, power steering, and FOX 2.5 PODIUM LSC suspension designed for rough terrain comfort.

The Doc’s Beach and Moonshine Arch trails are especially popular with families — Doc’s Beach offers wide-open sandy terrain that’s exciting but approachable, while Moonshine Arch delivers a red rock canyon adventure ending at a hidden natural sandstone arch. Dave and Trudy Wilson guide every tour personally and adjust the pace for families with younger riders.

Tours run three hours at $349 per machine (up to 2 riders). If your group has an odd number, the $125 ride-along option lets a third person ride as a passenger with Dave or Trudy. Ready to plan a family ride? Check dates and book online.

Dinosaur National Monument

The Quarry Exhibit Hall is the highlight for kids — over 1,500 dinosaur bones embedded in a tilted rock face inside a climate-controlled building. Kids can touch real fossilized bone at designated touch stations. The Junior Ranger program gives children a structured activity booklet that turns the visit into an interactive scavenger hunt.

Beyond the quarry, the monument’s Tilted Rocks scenic drive and short nature trails are manageable for families with younger children. Allow at least three hours for the quarry area alone. Our guide to visiting Dinosaur National Monument covers hours, fees, and how to plan the day.

Utah Field House of Natural History

Right in downtown Vernal, the Utah Field House features an outdoor Dinosaur Garden with full-scale dinosaur replicas that kids can walk among, plus indoor exhibits on geology, paleontology, and the natural history of the Uintah Basin. It’s an easy half-day activity and a good rainy-day backup plan.

Red Fleet State Park — Dinosaur Trackways

Red Fleet Reservoir is a 15-minute drive from downtown Vernal. The main attraction for kids is the dinosaur trackway along the north shore — actual three-toed theropod footprints preserved in the sandstone. The hike to the tracks is short and relatively flat, making it doable for most ages. The reservoir itself is great for swimming, kayaking, and fishing during summer months. See the Ultimate Guide to Red Fleet State Park for trackway directions and park details.

Petroglyphs & Rock Art

McConkie Ranch in Dry Fork Canyon offers one of the most accessible petroglyph viewing experiences in the region. The panels are visible from a well-maintained trail along the canyon wall, and the sheer scale of the Fremont culture figures carved into the rock makes an impression on kids and adults alike. It’s free to visit and takes about an hour. Read more in our guide to petroglyphs and rock art near Vernal.

Steinaker State Park & Outdoor Fun

Steinaker Reservoir is the go-to summer spot for Vernal families — swimming, paddle boarding, fishing, and picnicking with views of the surrounding mesa country. The campground is well-maintained and close enough to town for easy supply runs. For families staying multiple days, it’s an ideal base camp between adventures. See the Ultimate Guide to Steinaker State Park for camping and reservoir details.

Family Planning Tip: Build your trip around a UTV tour on day one — it gives the whole family a shared adventure to talk about and sets the tone for the rest of the visit. Book the Doc’s Beach trail for younger kids or Moonshine Arch for families with older children.

Looking for the full list? Browse all things to do in Vernal, or see the top attractions in Vernal for the region’s highlights.