Hotels in Vernal

The town of Vernal has more than a dozen motels, including chain and franchise properties such as Best Western Antlers, 423 W. Main St. (tel. 800/780-7234 or 435/789-1202; www.bestwestern.com); Best Western Dinosaur Inn, 251 E. Main St. (tel. 800/780-7234 or 435/789-2660; www.bestwestern.com); Days Inn, 260 W. Main St. (tel. 800/329-7466 or 435/789-1011; www.daysinn.com); Holiday Inn Express, 1515 W. Main St. (tel. 800/718-8466 or 435/789-4654; www.hiexpress.com); and Super 8, 1624 W. Main St. (tel. 800/800-8000 or 435/789-4326; www.super8.com). Among the independents, the best option is the Weston Plaza Hotel, 1684 W. Main St. (tel. 435/789-9550; www.westonplazavernal.com). Rates for double rooms range from $50 to $120, with the highest rates in summer. There is also a B&B, the Jensen Inn, 5056 S. 9500 East, Jensen, UT 84035 (tel. 435/789-5905; www.thejenseininn.com), not far from the boundary to Dinosaur National Monument. Rooms are $95 to $150 for two people, breakfast included, and it also has a tepee and a campground. Room tax adds about 9%.

Another lodging option in this area is to stay at one of the U.S. Forest Service's guard stations or yurts, located in spectacular forest settings north of Vernal in the Ashley National Forest. Rates range from $25 to $40 per night, and the facilities offer a range of amenities and sleeping capacities and are available year-round. For information, contact the Vernal Ranger District office (tel. 435/789-1181; www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley); for reservations call tel. 877/444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov.

Camping -- Among the area campgrounds with full RV hookups and hot showers is Dinosaurland KOA, 930 N. Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 84078 (tel. 435/789-2148; www.dinokoa.com), which is open from April through October. It has 65 RV sites and 15 grassy tent sites, with rates from $25 for tent sites and $32 to $38 for RV sites. This KOA also has seven cabins for $60 double and two deluxe cottages for $130 double and up. Both Red Fleet State Park and Steinaker State Park also have camping.