Attractions

Dinosaurland

Northeastern Utah offers a combination of history and natural beauty like nowhere else in the west. From Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch to the dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era to the explorations of Major John Wesley Powell--Dinosaurland's history and prehistory weave a fascinating tale indeed.

The area's natural features tell a geological story of mountain-building and uplifting, folding and faulting, and the awesome power of water over millions of years. All is on display wherever you turn in this astonishingly beautiful region. Cyclists who explore Dinosaurland will discover a history-laden region well endowed with lakes, deep canyons, clear streams, wide rivers, verdant valleys, and high mountains.

Hot Spots

Vernal
Dinosaurland's largest city is Vernal, the starting point for most who take advantage of the region's recreational opportunities. Road bikers will enjoy the stamina-testing, 80-mile out-and-back route from Vernal to the spring-fed Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery. The Diamond Mountain Plateau, reached via an 8-mile 2,600-foot climb, once served as a cross-roads for the trappers, outlaws and cattle rustlers that used Brown's Park on the Green River as a base of operations. A fat tire ride along the Outlaw Trail's most infamous section follows a 4WD road near Diamond Mountain to Brown's Park.
Intermediate fat tire riders should try the East Diamond Rim. This 14-mile out-and-back has no major elevation changes as it passes through sagebrush county to over-looks of the tilted eastern edge of the Uinta Mountains. Hugging the plateau's rim the entire distance, you'll be treated to panoramic views of Island Park and Split Mountain in Dinosaur National Monument to the south, and snow-covered 12,000-foot Marsh Peak to the west.

Dinosaurland National Monument
Located 20 miles east of Vernal is the quarry that has made the region a magnet for paleontologists and dinosaur buffs alike. More than 2,000 fossilized bones are exposed in the sandstone wall that was once a sandbar in an ancient river. The quarry, however, is but a tiny fraction of the 210,844-acre national monument which stretches north and east to include the striking canyons of the Green and Yampa rivers. A 20-mile fat tire route that included a stop at the quarry, connects several interpretive displays and geological points of interest as it loops its way through the high desert of the Green River ecosystem.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Major John Wesley Powell had little trouble naming the area during his first expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers in 1869. Powell wrote in his journal: "At a distance from one to twenty miles a brilliant red gorge is seen…We name it Flaming Gorge." Today Flaming Gorge Dam restrains the Green River's water, creating a 91-mile long lake. Among the half-dozen or so trails around the southern end of the recreation area are Dowd Mountain, Death Valley, Canyon Rim and Swett Ranch. All offer sweeping views of the lake of the Uinta Mountains, or both. Racers and leisure riders alike will want to head to Flaming Gorge for the annual Dinotrax Fat Tire Festival, August 7-8.

Uinta Mountains
When the temperature gets too hot for riding some of the lower elevation routes, check out the opportunities in the Uinta Mountains of the Ashley National Forest. One of the best rides is the 32-mile East Park Loop. It winds through some of the most spectacular wildflower meadows in the area. In spring and early summer, the flowers are at their peak, making the trail a feast for the senses. The trail follows dirt, gravel and paved roads over its course. A super 10-mile ride especially for families is the Range Study Loop. Lined by aspen groves and wildflowers, the route offers great views of Diamond Mountain and is easy pedaling except for one steep section. Road riders shouldn't miss the 21.5-mile Dry Fork Canyon route. Paved all the way, this is an excellent ride for all skill levels. Along the ride you'll find an enormous display of Fremont Indian petroglyphs and a historical marker for Dry Fork Village, an early Ashley Valley settlement. Road riders undaunted by 8 percent grades will enjoy pedaling Scenic Byway 191 from Vernal to Flaming Gorge. Called Wildlife Through the Ages, much of the route is through the picturesque woodlands of the Uinta Mountains.

Dinosaurland Climate
Valley highs in summer are in the 90s with lows in the 50s. In spring and fall perfect weather for biking can be expected. Elevations vary greatly in the region, so except temperatures to vary respectively. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer so be prepared.

Dinosaurland KOA
930 N. Vernal Ave.
Vernal, UT 84078
Phone: 435-789-2148
Fax: 435-789-6007