✦ Welcome to Dinosaurland ✦
Ancient fossils, wild rivers, stunning red rock, and genuine small-town warmth. This is one of Utah's best-kept secrets — and Best Western puts you right in the middle of it all.
✦ Too Tired to Go Out?
Long day on the trails? Just arrived late? Both DoorDash and Uber Eats deliver to our hotel. Tap the button below and your food comes straight to you.
May be available on DoorDash or Uber Eats — availability varies, check apps
Chains with reliable delivery in Vernal
When ordering, use our address: 1935 South 1500 East, Vernal, UT 84078. Our front desk is staffed 24 hours — if you have a delivery arriving late, just let them know and they'll make sure it gets to you.
✦ Locally Owned · Vernal's Best
Experience the red rock canyon country of northeastern Utah the way it was meant to be seen — wide open, off-road, and with a guide who knows every trail. Our UTV tours take you through stunning terrain you'd never find on your own.
✦ Must-See Attractions
Vernal sits at the heart of one of the most geologically and paleontologically rich regions on earth. Here's what you absolutely can't miss.
National Monument
The crown jewel of Vernal. The Quarry Exhibit Hall puts you face-to-face with 1,500+ dinosaur bones still embedded in the cliff face — exactly where they were discovered. Add in canyon hikes, petroglyphs, and the Green River and you'll easily spend a full day here.
Plan Your Visit →Museum · State Park
Walk through 200 million years of geologic time on the famous ramp exhibit. Life-sized dinosaur replicas greet you outside. Inside: real fossils, a working fossil prep lab you can watch through glass, and a knowledgeable staff that doubles as an informal visitor center.
Learn More →Historic Site · Petroglyphs
One of Utah's best-kept secrets. Near-life-sized Fremont culture figures carved into canyon sandstone — asks only a $5 donation. The main trail requires a short climb but rewards you with some of the most stunning ancient rock art in the American West.
Get Directions →National Recreation Area
200,000+ acres of stunning red canyon, emerald reservoir, and world-class fishing. Boat, waterski, camp, hike, or simply drive the Flaming Gorge–Uintas National Scenic Byway. The dam tour is surprisingly fascinating. Often called "the crown of the Uinta Mountains."
Explore Flaming Gorge →State Park · Hiking
Known as "Little Lake Powell," Red Fleet offers a stunning sandstone lake setting. Hike the Dinosaur Trackway — a 3-mile round trip across sandstone formations to real 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints, ending at a beautiful swimming spot on the reservoir. Kayak rentals available.
Park Info →Scenic Wonder
One of the most bizarre and beautiful places in Utah — otherworldly sandstone formations that look like they belong on another planet. About an hour south of Vernal, accessible by passenger car. Visit near sunset for extraordinary photography. Small but absolutely unforgettable.
Directions →Hiking · Nature
A stunning 40-foot-tall, 85-foot-wide sandstone arch just 8 miles from town — easy 2-mile round-trip hike with views of Steinaker Reservoir. Shaded caverns behind the arch are perfect for a picnic. Moab doesn't have a monopoly on Utah arches — this one is spectacular and never crowded.
Trail Info →Nature · Hiking
A beautiful drive leads to a working fish hatchery where you can watch thousands of trout up close. From here, the Jones Hole Trail follows a stunning creek through canyon walls to Ely Creek Waterfall — one of the most rewarding hikes in the region. Kids love the fish.
Plan Visit →Dinosaur National Monument is just 20 minutes from our front door. Our front desk team is happy to share the best times to visit, trail recommendations for kids and pets, and which roads are passable. Stop by — we know this place like home. Or check the FAQ for more tips.
Every adventure on this page starts and ends with a great night's rest. Best Western Extended Stay has spacious rooms, free hot breakfast, and a welcome that makes you feel like you belong here.
✦ Get Outside
Over 100 miles of mountain biking trails, whitewater on the Green River, kayaking, paddleboarding, ATV tracks, and hiking that rivals anything in Utah. All of it within an hour of your pillow.
Rafting · Adventure
Raft through the breathtaking canyons of Dinosaur National Monument on the legendary Green River. Single-day and multi-day trips available. Dinosaur River Expeditions is Vernal's only locally owned outfitter (since 1979). OARS and Adrift Adventures also offer excellent guided trips.
Mountain Biking
Vernal's mountain biking is gaining a devoted following — and for good reason. 40+ miles at McCoy Flats alone, plus the Red Fleet Complex, Lapoint Trail System, and the aspen-lined Dry Fork Flume Trail. All without the Moab crowds. Stop at Altitude Cycle on Main Street for maps and advice.
Trail Info →State Park · Water
Swimming, wakeboarding, kayaking, ATV trails, and camping — all centered around a beautiful reservoir just minutes from town. One of three state parks in the Vernal area. Great for families with kids who need to burn energy after a day of museum-going.
Park Details →ATV · Multi-Sport
Vernal's year-round outdoor sports hub. Mountain biking, ATV trails, motocross, shooting range, drag strip, speedway, camping — and in winter, a ski and snow tubing hill. There is genuinely something for everyone here, in every season.
Learn More →Fishing · Recreation
Widely considered some of the best fishing in the western United States — record-breaking lake trout, rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth bass, and more in the reservoir and Green River tailwaters. Guided trips available. Bring a license and come prepared to be amazed.
Fishing Info →Golf
Vernal's local 18-hole golf course set against stunning high-desert scenery. Consistently well-maintained and very reasonably priced. A perfect way to spend a morning before heading out to explore the canyon country. Just minutes from Best Western.
Tee Times →✦ Where to Eat
Vernal's dining scene is genuinely impressive for a small town. From New York-trained Italian chefs to the best Thai food you'll find in rural Utah — here are the places worth making a reservation for.
Italian · Pizza · Pasta
Vernal's crown jewel of dining. The chef trained at a top New York pizza institution and it shows — housemade mozzarella, wood-fired crust with the perfect char, handmade pasta, and a balsamic dressing made in-house. Consistently ranked the #1 restaurant in Vernal. The pistachio pizza is legendary.
Craft Beer · American
Right across from the Utah Field House — the perfect post-museum stop. A dozen craft beers on tap including the adventure-themed series with GPS coordinates for local trails on the cans. Great pub menu, warm atmosphere, and a root beer that'll win over non-drinkers too. Beloved by locals and visitors alike.
Thai · Asian
Consistently ranked the #1 restaurant in Vernal on multiple platforms. Authentic Thai food — attentive service, incredible cashew chicken, Pad Thai, and curries that reviewers from Denver say rivals the best Thai restaurants there. A genuine surprise in northeastern Utah and an absolute must-visit.
American · Breakfast
The best breakfast in Vernal — full stop. Colossal homemade biscuits with strawberry jam, perfect poached eggs, honest coffee, and genuinely kind staff. A beloved local institution with a warm western atmosphere. Regulars fill it every morning. Get here early — the biscuits run out.
Mexican · Authentic
Reviewers call it the best Mexican food in Utah — a high bar. The Chimichangas Mole are legendary, the portions are enormous, and the atmosphere is lively and authentic. Multiple visitors returned two nights in a row. The margaritas and pina coladas are excellent. Huge portions, warm service.
Steakhouse · American
The go-to for a proper steak dinner in Vernal. Reviewers rave about the charbroiled rib eye — "one of the best I've had in a while." All-you-can-eat options, a full salad bar, and loaded baked potatoes that are worth the trip on their own. Worth it for a special night out.
BBQ · American
Brisket mac & cheese, smoked meats, and a server named Jamie who smokes the meat herself and takes immense pride in every plate. Described as a hidden gem by visitors who expected a bar but found extraordinary BBQ. The brisket and house-smoked meats are exceptional. A local treasure.
Breakfast · Café
Plate-sized pancakes, great Rueben sandwiches, homemade vegetable soup, and the best scone in Vernal. A cozy, locally-loved spot that surprised more than a few visitors who called it their new favorite. Warm, personal service and honest food at prices that make Vernal feel like a deal.
Every stay includes our free hot breakfast every morning — hot dishes, pancakes, pastries, fresh fruit, juice, and coffee. Save your appetite for these restaurants at lunch and dinner, and let us take care of your mornings. FAQ: breakfast details →
✦ Location
Best Western Extended Stay sits right in Vernal — a perfect base camp for every attraction on this page.
Book your stay at Best Western Extended Stay — Vernal's most comfortable home base for everything this incredible corner of Utah has to offer.
1935 South 1500 East, Vernal, UT 84078 · bestwesternvernalinn.com