Steinaker State Park Campground offers family-friendly camping 5 miles north of Vernal, close to Bonanza, Utah. Located at 4,335 feet elevation, the campground surrounds a reservoir with 31 sites suitable for RVs, tents, and specialized camping accommodations. Steinaker provides a mix of open and shaded sites with cottonwood trees near the lake shore providing relief from summer temperatures that regularly reach 90°F.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access the Eagle Crest trail from the large group site for panoramic lake views and vistas of Vernal in the distance. "Hike the Eagle Crest trail located at the large group site for beautiful views of the lake, and Vernal beyond," notes Amanda B. at Steinaker State Park Campground.
Fishing and water recreation: Cast for fish at Steinaker Reservoir or enjoy swimming during summer months when water temperatures rise. "There is a lake for fishing, swimming and water sports. There is a nice beach with pavilions and picnic sites," according to Tammy H.
Geocaching: Check with park rangers for coordinates to find hidden geocaches around the park. "There is also a geocache hidden by the fish cleaning station, if you ask the rangers they can give you the coordinates," reports Cortney M. at Steinaker State Park.
ATV access: Explore designated trails accessible directly from Echo Park Campground within Dinosaur National Monument. "The location is great for hiking and exploring as well as having the river for some fun," mentions Alex S., though he cautions to "be lion and bear aware down here also."
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the unique geological features near the campgrounds. "Nice, clean, campground in the cottonwood trees. There's a nice lake and some amazing geological features just north of the park," reports Mike H. about his experience at Steinaker State Park.
River access: The confluence of major waterways creates dramatic settings for camping. "This is an absolutely amazing place! We were at the regular campsite, but they are very close together. Situated where the Green and Yampa rivers merge, you are surrounded by amazing cliffs with the main feature being Streamboat Rock," writes Bryan P. about Echo Park Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Dark skies at Echo Park provide excellent night viewing. "The star-gazing is excellent. The campsite was not, unfortunately, right on the river, although there is a reservable group campsite on the water, available for rafters," according to Jeremy A.
Family amenities: Vernal / Dinosaurland KOA offers extensive recreation options beyond basic camping. "What I liked about this campground were all the activity options they gave you, unlike some other KOA's I've stayed at. There was a small but functional K-9 park, a kids park, a swimming pool, a jump pad, and they had bike/3 wheeler rentals, and a mini golf coarse," explains Cortney M.
What you should know
Road conditions: Echo Park requires high-clearance vehicles. "The road in and out is not for the faint of heart but if you get past the fear of falling off a steep cliff, it is actually quite beautiful," notes Jon H. Park signs indicate the road is "impassable when wet."
Site spacing: Campsite proximity varies significantly between locations. "This is a great lil campground although I feel like they tried to cram alot of campsites right on top of each other," Cortney M. mentions about Steinaker.
Seasonal insect conditions: Be prepared for mosquitoes, particularly at Echo Park during certain times. "Depending on what time of year you go and which site you choose could determine if you get A. Roasted by the sun and heat with no shade or B. Destroyed by mosquitoes," warns Alex S.
Facilities: Permaculture Paradise: Ranchette near the Utah border offers glamping accommodations with electric hookups, drinking water, showers and toilet facilities for those seeking more amenities than basic campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: The Vernal KOA provides swimming facilities ideal for summer visits with children. "Super clean, lots of amenities pool, mini golf, horseshoes... Only downside pool closed to early at 8 pm," reports Durango H.
Educational opportunities: Use Steinaker as a basecamp for exploring dinosaur attractions. "We are currently planning family camp 2022, and are planning on staying here for a week to explore all the dinosaurs," shares Jason S. about Vernal Dinosaurland KOA.
Group site options: Reserve specialized areas for family gatherings. "We rented the group site for Mothers Day weekend, very clean and nice, close to town...had a blast on paddle boards and kayaks," shares Codie S. about Steinaker State Park.
Yurt camping: Consider yurt camping near Bonanza, Utah for families wanting comfort without full RV setups. Both Steinaker and the Vernal KOA offer yurt accommodations with varying levels of amenities and seasonal availability.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Vernal KOA, request specific sites based on your needs. "I requested a spot by the bathroom/shower building & we got a patio site. Very nice site with a propane grill provided," advises Cynthia K.
Hookup options: Steinaker offers a range of site types for different RV needs. "They have small sites, tent sites, many large pull through sites, and even one small cabin," notes Cortney M. The campground features full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections.
Budget considerations: Be aware of pricing differences between campgrounds. "Spent one night here. The staff was really friendly and it's a very well maintained camp. I ended up at a full hookup spot that cost $50 a night. I believe there are $30 options available as well," reports Kelda C. about Steinaker State Park.
