Vernal, Utah Camping & RV Guide: Parks, Sites & Tips

Known as an absolute haven for wakeboarding, water skiing, and bass fishing, Steinaker State Park is framed by stunning, rugged desert hillsides. It serves as a reliable, scenic favorite for water lovers who want a peaceful basecamp just north of town. The park features a mix of clean, well-spaced standard and partial-hookup sites that can comfortably accommodate mid-sized RVs and travel trailers along a beautifully paved, easy-to-navigate loop.

When you aren't out on the water, you'll have access to clean restrooms, a convenient boat launch, a sandy beach area, and covered picnic tables perfect for escaping the midday desert sun. Campsites here fill up incredibly fast, especially on summer weekends, so you'll want to reserve your spot as early as possible. You can secure your campsite directly through the Utah State Park.

If you are driving a 40-foot Class A motorhome with a tow car and just want a perfectly level, stress-free pull-through right in town, the Vernal KOA is your best bet. It can handle massive rigs up to 80 feet long with wide, easy-in, easy-out lanes. Because it’s right in the heart of Vernal, you are within easy walking distance of local restaurants and shops. You get full 50-amp hookups, premium concrete patios, a seasonal swimming pool, a dog park, and high-speed Wi-Fi that is fast enough for remote work.

Secure your site directly through the Vernal Utah KOA.

Located just 25 minutes east of Vernal inside the Utah border of Dinosaur National Monument, Split Mountain sits right along the edge of the Green River under towering, vertical canyon walls. If your goal is to wake up directly where the dinosaurs walked, this is the place—just know what you are getting into regarding your rig size. The campground loop roads are quite narrow with low-hanging cottonwood branches, meaning it is strictly best for campervans, truck campers, and small travel trailers under 30 feet.

There are no hookups of any kind here, so you will be dry camping, though generators are allowed during designated daytime hours. While there is no dump station on-site, you do have access to seasonal flush toilets and drinking water. Check availability and secure your spot directly through Recreation.gov.

When you are wrapping up a few days of dry camping or prepping for your next stretch on the road, stocking up and servicing your rig in town is incredibly straightforward. As the primary commercial hub for northeastern Utah, Vernal has all the supply and service options you could possibly need before heading out.

Located just west of town, this high-desert landscape is globally famous for its mountain biking trail system, but it doubles as an excellent place to set up camp. The access roads are wide and flat, making it incredibly easy for massive toy haulers and fifth-wheels to navigate, extend their slides, and drop their ramps without stressing about tight clearings. You can camp here for free for up to 14 days.

If you are traveling during the peak of summer and want to escape the 95°F heat on the valley floor, you can head north into the high-altitude pine forests of the Uinta Mountains. Free, primitive camping is permitted along many of the gravel Forest Service roads branching off Highway 191. Because these mountain corridors are steep, winding, and rough, this area is strictly recommended for smaller campervans, truck campers, and high-clearance overland trailers.