Park – Scenic Area. $7 for day use, $13 for camping. Open year-round, modern restrooms, hiking, off-roading, and biking are all nearby activities.

Steinaker State Park is a desert oasis in the heart of Northeastern Utah. Visitors come to fish, water-ski, camp, picnic or relax on the beach. At an elevation of 5,520 feet, the park is located seven miles north of Vernal, Utah, off State Highway 191. The surrounding area intrigues anyone interested in geology, paleontology or archaeology. From high points in the park, you can see millions of years of geologic formations. A bank of the Morrison Formation runs along the east shore of the reservoir. This layer of strata was deposited 130 million years ago during the Jurassic Period, when dinosaurs inhabited the area. The layer of rock may contain dinosaur fossils. Juniper and sagebrush dominate Steinaker’s vegetation. Cottonwoods and aspen grow near the water. In the spring, the park blooms with wildflowers including larkspur, penstemon, Indian paintbrush and Utah’s state flower, the sego lily. Many wildlife species live in the park. Mammals include mule deer, jack rabbits, cottontails, porcupines and ground squirrels. Elk, coyote and bobcat make rare appearances. Common birds are magpies, robins, scrub jays, pheasants, western grebes, loons, various ducks, Canada geese, turkey vultures, ospreys and golden eagles.