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.

Understand
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.

Get in
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.

Get around
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.

Do
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.

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