Utah Field House of Natural History State Park and Dinosaur Gardens

At Utah Field House of Natural History State Park and Dinosaur Gardens, in Vernal, visitors stroll through historic, prehistoric and geologic time represented in the Uinta Basin and Mountains. Natural history displays reveal much of the ecological diversity of the area. Fremont artifacts and Ute Indian ceremonial attire are featured in the Amerindian Hall. Geologic formations ranging from Precambrian (2.7 billion years old) to the Pleistocene (11,000 years ago) are highlighted on a large mural of the Uinta Mountains and Basin. Exhibits of diagnostic rock types and fossils (invertebrate and vertebrate) enhance the displays in the Geology Hall.

The Rock and Mineral Hall with the Fluorescent Mineral Room shows a well-balanced presentation of common specimens from Utah. Throughout the museum are paintings of prehistoric scenes and modern vistas by Ernest Untermann, Sr., a innovative artist and geologist. Mesozoic dinosaurs (150 to 65 million years old) dominate the Garden, a display of 14 life-size extinct animals created by well-known sculptor Elbert Porter. A small lake and a waterfall tumbling across native rock with foliage reminiscent of each represented time period complete the illusion.

Summer evening visitors may enjoy the creatively lighted dinosaurs. December evenings thousands of tiny lights cloak the dinosaurs in fantasy. Museum hours are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the summer months and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the rest of the year. There is an entry fee.

Return to Dinosaurland