The Uinta Basin region near Bonanza, Utah sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August. Winter nights frequently drop below freezing in this high desert environment where cottonwood trees provide limited natural shade at established campgrounds. Water conservation is essential when camping here, as the area receives under 10 inches of annual precipitation.
What to do
Dinosaur exploring: Visit Dinosaur National Monument to see remarkable fossilized specimens. "Beautiful site along the Green River within Dinosaur National Monument. We arrived about 4 pm on a Sunday in October so had several FCFS sites to choose from. There is a nice easy-moderate trail along the river from Loop A of the campground."
Watercraft rentals: Enjoy kayaking at Red Fleet State Park to see ancient dinosaur tracks. "Our absolute favorite part of this campground is the ability to rent kayaks and kayak over to see the dinosaur footprints. This was our first time seeing anything of the like, and it absolutely blew our minds! Do NOT miss doing this while visiting."
Swimming opportunities: Cool off during hot summer days at Red Fleet State Park. "They had a waterslide down the boat ramp and water trampoline that aren't normally there. This year they have added a hammock rack to the campground that holds 9 hammocks. They've also added on-site kayak/paddle board rentals."
What campers like
Shaded sites: Find relief from the summer heat at Fossil Valley RV Park in Vernal. "Park has lots of really big shade trees which would be a HUGE plus during hotter summer months. Sites were good with the grading of gravel pull through's and back ins with grassy areas with a picnic table that's kept in great shape."
Proximity to attractions: Enjoy convenient access to regional attractions. "We chose this campground because it had more openings than the other one in the park. It did not have many trees, and the weekend that we were there, a lot of boy scout groups were there too. The location was pretty and the site seemed well maintained."
Night sky viewing: Experience excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. "Clear skies made looking at stars wonderful. The grounds were kept clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. My suggestions are to take some kind of extra shade. There are not a lot of trees for shade."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many rv parks near Bonanza, Utah operate seasonally. Outlaw Trail RV Park closes during winter months. "There are a few trees here and there, but it's largely just a big gravel parking lot. On the plus side, the sites are decent size, with full hookup, and it's a 6 minute drive to the Quarry Visitor Center of Dinosaur National Monument."
Extreme temperatures: Be prepared for significant temperature variations. "My suggestions are to take some kind of extra shade. There are not a lot of trees for shade. Also lots of ice to keep food cool. This park is 15 minutes from Vernal so if you forget anything you can get it with a quick trip to town."
Wind conditions: Secure camping equipment thoroughly in this windy region. "It got very windy during the day, and after coming back from a hike we found our tent blown over, despite having staked it down. Stake your tents down well!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities for the best family experience. Vernal Dinosaurland KOA offers multiple activities. "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 course."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife safety protocols. "The area does have black bears, but there were no bear bins in the campground, so you have to lock all of your food and toiletries in the car at night. There are bear-proof dumpsters for trash and recycling though."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning into your camping trip with junior ranger programs. "Our family loves Dinosaur National Monument and the Green River Campground, amazing campsites close to the green river are clean and the rangers are top notch and super friendly, we love the petroglyphs and the kids love the Jr. Ranger Program."
Tips from RVers
Camping areas: Bonanza area rv parks offer varying levels of privacy between sites. Vernal RV Resort provides spacious pull-through sites. "The sites were deep and wide and we had no problem backing into the site. It fit our trailer, truck, and SxS vehicles. There isn't much shade at all since the RV resort is new and still growing trees."
Water quality concerns: Consider bringing additional drinking water when staying at rv parks near Bonanza. "We had to buy bottled water because we couldn't stand the taste of the tap water even though it went through a filter."
Internet connectivity: Plan for limited bandwidth at most campgrounds. "WiFi is free, but each site is throttled to 5 Mbps (which is fine for basic streaming, but not HD or 4K). No regrets on staying here, though…the location is great if you're going to Dinosaur NM."
Scout
