Explore Fantasy Canyon, Moonshine Arch, and Dinosaur Tracks

You have a long journey ahead of you today, but it will be worth it! You will spend two hours driving through a scenic part of Utah through Parley's Canyon and Daniel's Summit before arriving at your first stop: Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation Reservoir.
Here you can get out to stretch your legs and admire the beautiful waters. This is a great place for fishing, boating, and geocaching. You can also try your hand at the 3D archery range located west of the Indian Bay entrance. All ages are welcome to practice shots ranging from 15 to 60 yards with various angles and difficulty levels.

Experience home-cooked country-style dishes at this small town cafe in Duchesne. Established in 1933, Cowan's Cafe is a well-known local establishment that serves hamburgers, bacon and eggs, chicken fried steak, and more. Fill up here before you begin a long drive to Fantasy Canyon.

After lunch, you'll have another long stretch of driving to get to out-of-this-world Fantasy Canyon. This miniature canyon features unusual rock formations with dramatic pinnacles, arches, and pillars.
You can explore the formations on a self-guided 0.6-mile loop trail, which includes interpretive educational signs. Be sure to carry water with you as there is little shade and it can get really hot on a sunny day.

Your outdoor adventure will continue as you head north past Vernal to the Moonshine Arch trailhead. The trail is an easy, family-friendly hike and is open year-round.

The trail will lead you to Moonshine Arch, a hidden gem located just 8 miles outside of Vernal. This impressive arch spans about 85 feet in length and stands approximately 40 feet above the ground. While the trail is clearly marked with green metal signs, the arch remains unseen until you reach the final bend, where you'll be astounded by the breathtaking sight.

You have one final hike of the day to see dinosaur tracks at Red Fleet Reservoir. This is a moderate 1.5-mile out-and-back trail to the reservoir's edge where you'll see several dinosaur tracks in the rock. You can even jump into the water from here to cool down!

With all the driving and hiking, you'll want to refuel yourself at the Vernal Brewing Company. This is a craft beer brewery and gastropub in Vernal that serves everything from burgers, salads, gyros, tacos, pizzas, chicken skillet pies, and more. They also have a kid's menu with a variety of items. As for drinks, they offer nine craft brews such as the Allosaurus, Ms. Bee Hiven, and Pilgrimage.

You have accomplished a lot today! You've seen unusual rock formations, an arch, and dinosaur tracks. Stay at one of the several hotels in Vernal to put up your feet and relax before tomorrow's big outing.