Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
Dinosaur Bones, Outlaws and Moonshine – Three Places to Visit Outside of Vernal, Utah
Dinosaur National Monument, the Outlaw Country scenic drive, and the Moonshine Arch are three places to try to visit just outside of Vernal, Utah. The Dinosaur National Monument is a national park located on the border of Utah and Colorado and covers 210,000 acres. The Quarry Visitor Center is located in Jensen, which is southeast of Vernal, Utah. Shuttle buses will take visitors to the Quarry Exhibit Hall where you will see a wall of nearly 1,500 dinosaur bones. A few of the 149 million year old fossils are identified permitting you to touch them, while others can be viewed from several feet away. The National Park offers scenic drives, and walking trails. If you are traveling with pets, be sure to be familiar where pets are permitted. Pets at Dinosaur National Monument
Outlaw Country scenic drive is an approximately 85 miles loop that travels through some of the most picturesque parts of the country. Be sure to have a full tank of gas and carry plenty of water. You will be traveling through Crouse Canyon, Brown’s Park, Jarvie Historic Ranch, and Jessie Ewing Canyon. Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch and other noted outlaws were known to stay in this remote area. The Jarvie Ranch has been historically reconstructed. Crouse Canyon with its red-rock walls is a beautiful drive, but you will need a high clearance vehicle to get by sections of deep ruts in the road. Driving Directions for Outlaw Country
Just eight miles outside of Vernal, and a short distance from the road is an opportunity for a short hike to an incredible natural sandstone arch that is 85 feet long and stands 40 feet above ground. The hike to Moonshine Arch is approximately 1 mile, with an elevation gain of 290 feet. Read my previous post on Moonshine Arch for directions and additional information.
How to Have Fun in Salt Lake City without Busting your Budget
Whether the Wasatch Front is where you live or if you are planning a visit, there are plenty of activities going on in and around Salt Lake City that are fun and free or low cost to participate in.
This is the Place Heritage Park 2601 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. There are over 50 historic homes and buildings to visit. On Huntsman Day, (scheduled on June 15th this year) admission is free for everyone thanks to a grant from the Huntsman family. What could be better than free admission? How about a free ice cream cone?
Salt Lake Gallery Stroll Do you appreciate viewing Art? Would you enjoy speaking with the artists? The Gallery Stroll is scheduled on the 3rd Friday of every month; except for in December, when it is held on the 1st Friday of the month. Here is the list for June’s Gallery Stroll. It is a free event.
Cool Air Concert Series Plaza Deck, Snowbird Center 9385 S Snowbird Center Dr. Snowbird, Utah 84092. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers for a free concert every Saturday beginning June 16 through August 11 and enjoy a free concert with local and national bands.
Mondays in the Park in front of the Chase Home Museum in Liberty Park 600 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105. Listen to folk and ethnic music and dance on selected Monday evenings during July and August. Pack a picnic, blankets or lawnchairs to enjoy the free performances.
Red Butte Garden 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 has six scheduled days for free admission every year. Take a relaxing walk among the beautiful botanical garden.
International Peace Gardens 1060 S 900 W (Inside Jordan Park). The cultural diversity of 28 nations represented through native plantings and garden architecture. Open year round, free.
Natural History Museum of Utah 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 has four scheduled days every year for free admission.
Hogle Zoo 2600 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Military Appreciation Day is on July 4, 2018 free admission for service men and women, their spouses and their children under age 18.
Wheeler Historic Farm 6351 South 900 East, Murray, UT. Visit this 19th century working farm for free, year round. Walk through the 40 acres of woods. There are fees for wagon rides, milking the cows and special events.
See free screening of dramatic, documentary, and independent films at venues including the Salt Lake City Library, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and other locations throughout the state. See the Utah Film Center’s schedule for upcoming films.
Children can get a ZAP summer passport at the Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County or Murray city libraries for free and discounted destinations to enjoy throughout the summer.
