VernalOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Ute Lands to Pioneer Settlement

Before European settlement, the Ute people inhabited the Uinta Basin for centuries, using the land for hunting and gathering. Their traditional territory spanned much of present-day Utah, western and central Colorado, and parts of Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln established the Uintah Indian Reservation, setting aside this area for Native American tribes.

Vernal was not initially settled by Mormon pioneers. Brigham Young's scouting party in 1861 deemed the area only suitable for "nomadic purposes" and "hunting grounds for Indians." However, by 1873, Captain Pardon Dodds, the former Indian agent for the Uintah Reservation, built the first cabin in Ashley Valley, marking the beginning of non-Native settlement. The David Johnston family were among the first to move onto the "Bench," the area now known as Vernal, in June 1878. The settlement, initially called Ashley Center, was renamed Vernal by the U.S. Postal Department in the 1880s because Ashley Center was too similar to another town. The name "Vernal" means spring-like, inspired by the greenery along Ashley Creek. The town was formally incorporated as a city in 1897.

Boom and Bust Cycles

Vernal's economy in its early days was primarily based on farming and animal husbandry. The 20th century brought significant shifts. In 1909, paleontologist Earl Douglass discovered fossil deposits east of the city, leading to the establishment of Dinosaur National Monument in 1915. This discovery linked Vernal with prehistoric animals and laid the groundwork for its tourism industry. Later, in 1948, Vernal experienced its first oil boom, transforming it into a boom-and-bust town, with its economy influenced by oil and gas price fluctuations. Oil and gas extraction remains an economic driver, though tourism and agriculture continue to play roles.

• —Uintah County Heritage Museum — This museum, which moved to its current Main Street location in 2014, showcases the history of the Uinta Basin, from Indigenous peoples like the Ute and Fremont to pioneers, ranchers, and outlaws like Butch Cassidy. It contains artifacts, stories, and rotating art exhibits.
• —Dinosaurland Mural on Main Street — This large mural depicts prehistoric scenes and creatures, referencing the region's fossil history.
• —Dinosaurland Park (outdoor sculptures) — This park contains various dinosaur sculptures.
• —Old Uintah County Courthouse — This building, dating back to 1907, served as the seat of county government after Vernal became the county seat in 1893. Its architecture reflects early 20th-century civic construction.
• —Outlaw Trail historical marker — This marker indicates Vernal's connection to the Outlaw Trail, a network of hideouts used by figures in the Old West. The Uintah County Heritage Museum also details stories of outlaws who frequented the area.
• —Western Park (pioneer monument) — This park contains a pioneer monument, commemorating the early settlers who established communities in Ashley Valley. The Museum of Uintah County originally opened within the Western Park Complex in 1991.
• —Dinosaur National Monument - Quarry Visitor Center — This visitor center is the gateway to the Quarry Exhibit Hall, where a wall embedded with thousands of dinosaur bones from the Jurassic Period, discovered in 1909, is visible.
• —Vernal City Park (central fountain) — A green space in the city center, featuring a central fountain.

For warm-weather activities, late June to late August offers the highest average daily temperatures. For comfortable weather suitable for hiking and biking, consider May to mid-June and September. October brings cooler temperatures and the fall foliage of the Ashley National Forest, particularly along the Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway.

To avoid the coldest weather, do not visit in January, which sees average lows of 12°F (around -11°C). While Vernal is a year-round destination, some outdoor activities may be limited by snow and ice during winter months.

Vernal is approximately 175 miles (280 km) east of Salt Lake City, accessible primarily by highway. There is no train station, but the city has a regional airport. Once in Vernal, travel is best done by car, as the city is spread out and public transportation options are limited. Free parking is generally available on city streets; observe signage for time limits or restrictions, especially for larger vehicles. For longer-term or secure parking for trucks and RVs, dedicated lots are available on the outskirts of town.

The Ashley Valley Farmers Market operates every Saturday from July through September, and sometimes into October, at 250 East Main Street, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.