Take Landscape Photos At Moonshine Arch
Moonshine Arch is another one of the unique sandstone features in the rugged mountains around Vernal.
View it from different angles and take stunning landscape photos that will awe your friends.
The road to the area has mild terrain, but its best to follow local maps instead of apps like Google Maps, as these can sometimes prove inaccurate.
During your hike, make sure to bring bottles of water and sunscreen, as the trail can get hot, especially during summers.
Visit The Majestic Ashley National Forest
With a whopping 1,382,346 acres of total land area, Ashley National Forest is one of the largest forests in this side of the United States.
And it just so happens that Vernal serves as the headquarters for this forest.
The city is the gateway to the many wonders of this attraction, with huge swaths of wooded areas, towering mountains peaks, lakes, and many other wonders.
As expected in a land of this size, there are numerous activities to do with your friends or family.
You can never go wrong with hiking and camping within the forests, but you can try conquering the highest peaks of Utah or go whitewater rafting in the rivers winding in between the mountains.
You can also try spotting the many animals that call Ashley National Forest their home, with mountain lions, antelopes, bighorn sheep, elk, and other mammals roaming the area.
Hunting is permitted in some areas, so if you want to bring home a large trophy, this forest is the place to be.
Planning Your Weekend Getaway To Vernal
Visit Holiday Inn Express Vernal hotels and discover the best in travel and convenience. Explore our directory of budget-friendly Vernal hotels and book your stay knowing that you’ll get the best rate on a hotel room in Vernal with IHG’s Best Price Guarantee. Many of our popular destinations offer a variety of culture, arts and entertainment activities that are fun for the whole family. Just look through the list of affordable Vernal hotels to find more information on the specific locations available. Holiday Inn Express hotels in Vernal offer stylish rooms and free breakfast. Browse our Vernal affordable hotels and book your stay.
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Tour Vernals Backcountry Via Atvs
Ready for some off-road adventures?
Many businesses in the city offer ATV tours where you can explore the backcountry of Vernal.
Whether youre a beginner or a professional, youll have a grand time onboard these powerful vehicles as you explore the many attractions around.
The destinations include Green River, Steinaker State Park, Red Fleet State Park, and Dinosaur National Monument.
During your trips, the vehicle operators will also share the park’s histories, wildlife, and other notable features.
Its a thrilling experience that is a must-add to your vacation plans.
Go Look For Dinosaurs
Of course, we couldnt have a guide to Vernal that failed to mention the best places to go for DINOSAURS!
If youre looking to see or learn about Dinosaurs, the number one place that you need to plan on visiting is Dinosaur National Monument. When you first get there you should stop at the visitors center first to learn more about the area, decide where you want to spend your day, and talk with a ranger about any questions you might have about your visit.
If youve got kids, I also recommend signing them up for the Junior Ranger program as well. Its a great way for them to learn about the Monument and dinosaurs, stay engaged all through your visit, and get rewarded for their work from a park ranger.
One spot not to miss at Dinosaur National Monument is the Dinosaur Quarry. The famous Carneigie Dinosaur Quarry is within the monument and an exhibit hall has been built over part of it where you can see and identify over 1500 dinosaur bones. There are even a couple of places where you can actually touch the dinosaur bones! Kids will be especially excited to learn that the bones that theyre seeing are from familiar dinosaurs theyve heard of like Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, and Diplodocus.
After you leave the Quarry, make sure to spend some time in the park looking at petroglyphs and doing some short hikes as well .
Address: 496 E Main StreetAdmission: Adults $7
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Top Questions About Holiday Inn Express Hotels In Vernal
- Are there hotels in Vernal with free breakfast?
Holiday Inn Express hotels in Vernal feature a complimentary breakfast. Check with each location for options for hot breakfast buffet or grab-and-go items.
- Are there hotels in Vernal with free Wi-Fi?
All Holiday Inn Express hotels come with complimentary Wi-Fi for IHG Rewards Club members.
- If my plans change, can I cancel my room reservation in Vernal?
With continued changes of government travel advice, guests who have made non-refundable/pre-paid reservations may want to consider changes to trips already booked. All non-refundable/pre-paid bookings made up to and including December 31, 2020 can be cancelled without penalty up until December 31, 2020*. Please review our Travel Advisory for full details.
- Where can I find deals on hotels in Vernal?
Enjoy the latest discounts and deals for your next Vernal weekend getaway with Holiday Inn Express hotel deals. View exclusive member deals, hotel coupons, and hotel discount programs available for booking a long weekend or last minute travel to Vernal.
Weber County North Fork Park
North Fork Park is located about 30 minutes from Ogden, near Liberty and Eden. This is one of only two Dark Sky Parks in Northern Utah . It’s not a national or state park, so you won’t find a lot of park rangers or programs, but you probably won’t run into many tourists either. Learn more at
Camping is available at North Fork Park. The nearest hotels are in Ogden, though you may be able to find closer vacation rentals through VRBO or AirBnB near Liberty or Eden since they are near the Ogden area ski resorts.
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Raft Down The Green River
The Vernal area is home to some of the best sections of whitewater in the west. From Flaming Gorge all the way down to the Moab area, you can raft different sections of the Green River on trips from a few hours up to 6 days. If youre looking for something really mild, Section C is your best option. Section C is east of Flaming Gorge and is a nice mellow section thats great for fishing or for a float trip with really young kids. If youre looking to spend an adventurous afternoon on some great whitewater, youll want to head down the Split Mountain section of the river. I recommend going with either OARS or Adrift.
The Split Mountain section of the river will just take a couple of hours, but in that time, youll go through several class III rapids , float through a massive canyon, and if youre as lucky as weve been, youll see some wildlife as well.
If youve got more time, I cant recommend enough that you take a multi-day trip down the Green River. Weve floated both Desolation Canyon as well as The Gates of Lodore and both have been some of the most incredible experiences of my life.
For all the details on rafting the Green River, weve written up everything that you need to know here.
Go Mountain Biking In Vernal
Vernal is surprisingly close to one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the state of Utah, the Uintahs. And while its nice and close to the Uintahs the best mountain biking trails are actually found really close to Vernal.
If youre wanting to stay close to town and can sneak in a ride in the morning or evening, a desert ride through McCoy Flats is a fantastic option. We only saw two other riders in the few hours that we were there, and saw at least a dozen antelope frolicking alongside the trail. With 35 miles of trail, there really is something for everyone and every ability here.
If youre looking for a more mountainous setting, then Dry Fork Canyon is a great bet. Between the Dry Fork Flume trails and the Wild Iris Loop, you can get in some amazing rides in the bottom of the shaded canyon and if youre timing is right, youll get to ride through some fields of wildflowers as well.
For more details and specifics on these rides and the rest of the top mountain bike trails in the area, go here where we also include a map to where you need to go!
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This Is The Place To Stay In Vernal Utah
We love the Ledgestone Hotel.The staff was over the top and extremely helpful.Randi, Mindi, Anna, and Shannon! They were made to be in this industry and make travelers happy!Loved the room. Clean, a great value for all of the amenities including a stove top, full refrigerator, sofa and More.We will stay there again!
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Very clean, nice setup with large bathroom and galley kitchenVery quiet. Best accommodations on a five state stay. Highly recommend it. Central location to anywhere you want to visit in Vernal. Would stay here again.
We extended our stay because it was just what we needed in the middle of a long trip. Helpful staff, comfortable rooms, kitchenette so we could stay in.However, do NOT use the wash-and-fold laundry service. We decided to treat ourselves, but the clothes came back a day late, not folded and worst of all they shrunk our clothes. To add insult to injury, they overcharged us, saying our clothes weighed almost double.
- Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef is Utah’s most diverse park. Unique geology, gorgeous scenery, human history and dark night skies will give your family plenty of fun things to do here.
Capitol Reef hosts ranger-led star talks and full moon walks during the summer. Learn more at
There is one developed campground inside Capitol Reef. Look for hotels in nearby Torrey. Click the button below to check rates and availability for Torrey hotels on TripAdvisor.com.
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Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park has a funny name and one of the best scenic views in Utah. It also has wide unobstructed views of the night sky.
Dead Horse Point is located near Arches and Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky. These three parks share a rotating stargazing program in warm weather months. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/stargazing-southeast-utah.htm.
There are campgrounds in the park and at Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky nearby. Moab is the closest city with hotels and it’s about 45 minutes away. Click the button below to check rates and availability for Moab hotels at TripAdvisor.com.
Before You Travel To The United States
With specific exceptions, noncitizens who have been in certain countries during the past 14 days may not enter the United States, either as immigrants or nonimmigrants. For more information, visit Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States.
For information about COVID-19 requirements for land travel, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals.external icon
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See The Marvels Of Green River
This body of water is one of the tributaries of the Colorado River, and it snakes its way along the rugged landscapes around Vernal.
Its one of the best ways to easily access some of the hidden natural attractions near the city, with many boating tour businesses ready to have you on board.
During your trip, you can spot birds and mammals roaming around the river banks and take gorgeous photos of the rock formations.
Among the gentler streams, you can go paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming.
Whitewater rafting on the more chaotic rapids is a great option for those who want more adventurous activities.
The river is also known for its abundance of game fish, so bring a line and try catching some hefty trouts, catfish, carps, and so much more.
Things To Do In Vernal Utah
One of the coolest things about living in Northern Utah is the possibility of weekend getaways to cool places. There is so much more to see in Utah besides the five National Parks! For my first weekend getaway from Salt Lake City, I decided to return to Vernal, Utah, also known as Dinosaurland. There are a ton of cool things to do in Vernal, Utah a 3-4-day weekend is the perfect amount of time to explore the northeastern corner of the state.
As an added bonus, although this is the desert, the temperatures are on the cooler side from Salt Lake City. It still gets hot in the summer, but it was very pleasant in late May when I visited Vernal.
Check out this scenic Utah road trip from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef!
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Antelope Island State Park
Located in the middle of the Great Salt Lake, yet accessible by car, Antelope Island is one of the best places near Salt Lake City and Ogden to get away from the light pollution and really see the night sky. The Ogden Astronomical Society hosts star parties here in warm weather months.
Antelope Island has four primitive campgrounds. The nearest hotels all familiar chains are about 30 minutes away in Layton. Click the button below to see rates and availability for Layton hotels on TripAdvisor.com.
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Place To Stay In Vernal
We love the fine hotel. It is easy to find. The Internet was fast and was never down during our stay. It was very quiet, clean, convenient to all the area. The check in and out was very well handled by a very nice happy desk person. She was great! We will stay here next trip. Wonderful place. More
Thank you for your kind comments, we truly appreciate your patronage. I think we have a wonderful staff! Please stay with us again the next time your travels bring you back to Vernal.Best Regards,
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We opted for the two-bedroom, one -bath suite with a kitchen. That way we could eat from our leftovers, enjoy freshly brewed coffee in the morning and keep our water cold. The table for eating was adjacent to the kitchen and can double as a desk. The bathroom was designed well with the sink separate from the tub/shower and toilet. The sink was off-center so there was more counter space and even three drawers next to the sink. The plates and glasses were located in a cabinet over a counter’s corner, so we had to stretch out arms to reach these items. Like all good guests, we ran the dishwasher right before we checked out. The breakfast was okay, nothing exceptionally good or bad. Spring Hill Suites by Marriott is next door.
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Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon has the most astronomy events of all the parks on this list, including an annual Astronomy Festival in June. Stargazing at the visitor center, full moon hikes and daytime solar viewing are among the 100 astronomy events held year-round. Full moon hikes are so popular that you must get tickets through a lottery, so plan ahead if this is on your wish list.
Learn more about Bryce Canyon’s astronomy programs at
You can stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge or camp inside the park. Ruby’s Inn and its sister hotels and campground are located just outside the park entrance. This is where we always stay. Click the button below to check rates and availability for hotels near Bryce Canyon on TripAdvisor.com.
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Good Place To Stay In Vernal
We stayed at here for just one night. It was close to Dinosaur National Monument. It was clean which is very important. The staff was friendly and they have a great breakfast.It is right off the main highway on the west end of town. It much better to stay in Vernal than in Dinosaur, Colorado. There isn’t much there. It is only about an hour from Flaming Gorge. There is a lot to do in that area. We went to Dinosaur National Monument and also the field museum there which were well worth the time.More
- Trip type: Travelled with family
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Thank you very much for your review. I really appreciate you taking the time to let us know how your stay went. I was very happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay and visit to our little town. I am glad you got to visit our monument and museum they are very nice. Please think of us again should you like to revisit our Dinasour Land and feel free to contact me directly if I can be of any assistance to you. Thank you
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