Fun Things to Do in Vernal, Utah with Kids

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 $299 per machine (up to 2 riders). If your group has an odd number, the $100 ride-along option lets a third person ride as a passenger with Dave or Trudy.

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.

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.

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.

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.