Vernal

Vernal is a city of 10,000 people (2019) in Northeastern Utah. Tourists are drawn to Vernal by the town's roots in the Old West and because of a large site of dinosaur fossils. Vernal and the surrounding area are popular among outdoor enthusiasts as they are near plentiful spots for fishing, fly fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.

Vernal is the second largest town in Northeastern Utah. Vernal's economy is based on extracting natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, phosphate, and uintaite (more commonly known as Gilsonite). This has led to the establishment of branch offices of companies such as Halliburton and Schlumberger.

Vernal has 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 (possibly discontinued now) and along a Salt Lake Express route with two daily round-trips between Vernal & Salt Lake City (both the airport and Downtown). The best way to get to town is by car, along US Highway 40.

Vernal is served by

• the Basin Transit Association Vernal - Roosevelt route (connection available to the Duchesne route in Roosevelt), Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) 6 times a day, and
• a Salt Lake Express route from Salt Lake City, which arrives at the Quality Inn, 1684 W Highway 40.

The scale and road layout of Vernal means the most practical way around is by personal auto.

The Vernal Circulator bus provides transit within the town Mondayto Friday, excluding holidays, 12 times a day.

• 🌍 Utah Field House of Natural History, 496 E Main St (Downtown, at 500 East St), ☏ +1 435-789-3799. Daily 9AM–5PM (-7PM summers), Su 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. (updated Sep 2017)

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.

On the west side of downtown, there is a retail district with many big-box stores.

• 🌍 Vernal Brewing Company, 55 South 500 East (Downtown, across from Natural History Museum), ☏ +1-435-781-2337. M–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. (updated Sep 2017)

• 🌍 Quality Inn in Vernal (just off Highways 40 and 191), ☏ +1 435-789-9550. 20 minutes from the canyons, untamed rivers and dinosaur fossils in the national monument. Free hot breakfast. Pet-friendly hotel. Fitness center and spa. Restaurant. From $80. (updated Nov 2022)