Top 10 Adventures For Kids

Kids who visit Dinosaurland never want to leave. With so many things to do and places to see, moms and dads frequently extend their vacations to calm the pleas of kids who “just can’t leave without” getting a Dinosaur hunting license or digging for fossils. So listen up, kids. Next time you want to convince Mom and Day to stay one more day, here’s a list of things you “just can’t leave without!”

Running the Rapids. Experience the thrill and excitement of whitewater rapids on a trip down one of the region’s rivers – the Green or the Yampa. River rafting has been a favorite of six-year-olds to 90-year-olds for over 75 years. Don’t worry, parents. There are plenty of guides and outfitters to take care of the safety and the details. You can relax and enjoy the scenery. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, rent a raft and experience the popular self-guided trip down Section A of the Green River.
Tracking Dinosaurs. Do you want to be a paleontologist when you grow up? You can learn all about Dinosaurs by digging for fossils at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park and by earning your Junior Paleontologist or Junior Ranger patch at Dinosaur National Monument.
Baiting a Hook. Everyone has to catch a fish at least once in his or her youth. Now’s the chance! Whether you want to bait or fly-fish, you can take advantage of this world-class fishing area. Dinosaurland and the High Uintas have over 600 lakes that are stocked regularly.
Boating on the Waters. Nothing’s more fun than spending a day on the pristine waters of Northeastern Utah. Three State Parks – Starvation, Steinaker, and Red Fleet – welcome families by offering camping facilities and boating opportunities along the reservoirs. If you prefer more room to traverse the waters, head to Flaming Gorge Lake where you can rent a boat at one of the three marinas: Cedar Springs, Lucerne, and Buckboard.
Watching the Wildlife. Get your cameras and binoculars ready, kids! During that scenic car ride, you may see moose, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk, Mule deer, pronghorn antelope, cougars, coyotes, eagles, and more. With so much to see, you won’t have time to say, “Are we there yet?”
Playing at the Gorge. Take a guided tour during the summer and see how Flaming Gorge Dam works. After the tour, join in the fun activities for kids. Learn about and create your own rock art at the Red Canyon Visitor’s Center, or join and interpreter to learn fun facts about the Gorge. Call (435) 885-3135 to check dates and times.
Tracing Ancient Wonders. Journey through Nine-Mile Canyon or Dry Fork Canyon and enter a world full of mystery, lore, and ancient art. These are a few places you can see pictographs and petroglyphs up-close. Put on your archeologist hat and see if you can decipher the stories of the pre-historic Native Americans.
Catching Some Western Entertainment. The Ute Indian Powwow, Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, Labor Day Festival of Lights & Fireworks, productions at the Outlaw Trail Theatre, county fairs, Western Park events, and the October Corn Maze are just a few of the exciting year-round events celebrating the culture and heritage of the west. Don’t miss the chance to experience what the west is all about.
Creating a Winning Art Piece. Do you love to color, draw, or take pictures? You can enter your work into the children’s art contest at the Duchesne County Welcome Center. Capture the beauty, diversity, and unique recreational opportunities in the area, and you could win up to $100 in prize money given away quarterly! Some participants will have their art displayed in the center year-round.
Blazing Trails on Horseback. See if you have what it takes to be an outlaw. Ride the very trails that Butch Cassidy and other outlaws blazed over 100 years ago. Ashley National Forest has over 900 miles of trails that make for the best horseback riding in all of Utah. You can pack out on your own or let some experienced guides and outfitters lead the way.

If you think these activities sound like fun, you’re in for a real treat, because this list is only the beginning. Dinosaurland is full of year-round adventures you “just can’t leave without.” You’ll build family memories and have the best stories to share when your friends back home ask how you spent your summer vacation. Now…it’s time to get to work on this list. Happy adventuring!

Share Your Story

ADVERTISEMENT