Vernal sits in the middle of Utah's dinosaur country, and this museum is where the Uinta Basin explains itself. The Geology Hall walks through more than 600 million years of life, from algae up through dinosaurs and advanced mammals, and the Anthropology Hall covers Fremont work from roughly 700 to 1250 AD alongside Ute material. Outside, the Dinosaur Garden holds 17 full-size replicas spanning the Pennsylvanian through the Pleistocene. That outdoor half is what saves the visit with restless kids.
Do this: Museum, dinosaur garden
Family note: T-rex photo ops for days
Fees and hours: stateparks.utah.gov
Add to the trip: Dripping Springs Campground (Camping, 33 mi) · Mustang Ridge Campground (Camping, 33 mi) · Lucerne Valley Campground (Camping, 37 mi) · Moon Lake Campground (Camping, 52 mi)