Red Fleet State Park

Dinosaurs, Desert Water and Sandstone
Drama in Utah’s Uintah Basin

Utah’s northeast corner is famous for fossils and wide-open high-desert vistas. Red Fleet State Park ties those two themes together in one compact, highly photogenic package.

Just 10 miles north of Vernal, the park revolves around a 750-acre reservoir ringed by rust-red Navajo sandstone cliffs that look like moored armadas of ancient ships.

That ship image inspired the park’s name. Early locals thought the monolithic outcrops resembled a “fleet” at anchor. Yet the water and scenery are only half the story.

Hidden along the shoreline is one of Utah’s most accessible dinosaur trackways … dozens of three-toed footprints frozen in stone for roughly 200 million years.

Combined with year-round camping, paddling and quick access to Vernal’s museums and Dinosaur National Monument, Red Fleet becomes an essential stop on any Uintah Basin itinerary.

We stopped on our recent adventure through southern Utah and then back up through Colorado.

The Reservoir - Warm-Water Playground
in High Desert Country

Completed in 1980, Red Fleet Dam backs up Big Brush Creek to create the park’s sapphire-blue waters. At 5,500 feet in elevation, the lake warms quickly. It is one of the few places in northern Utah where you can comfortably swim May through September.

• Boating & Paddling: Gas-powered boats are welcome but most visitors prefer the slow lane - kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes and inflatable rafts. The narrow “fingers” on the north side feel like mini-canyons and protect paddlers from afternoon wind.
• Fishing: The reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. Early morning and late evening see the best action especially in spring and fall.
• Swimming Beach: A gently sloping stretch of sand (rare in this part of Utah) lets families splash around without jumping off a rocky ledge.

Hike … or Paddle … to Dinosaur Tracks

Red Fleet’s biggest claim to fame sits 1 ½ miles east of the boat ramp. There lies a tilted slab of Navajo sandstone dotted with dozens of Eubrontes-type theropod footprints. Each print measures about 10-16 inches across. Several trackways rumble downhill like frozen conga lines.

There are two ways to reach the site:

• Dinosaur Trackway Trail - Distance: 3 miles round-trip; Difficulty: Moderate (some sand, occasional slick-rock route finding); Highlights: Wildflowers in May. Sweeping views. Abrupt “aha” moment when the tracks appear beneath your feet.
• Paddle & Scramble Route - Launch a kayak or SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard), hug the north shoreline for about a mile. Then beach on a small cove below the trackway. A short, steep scramble … bring shoes, not flip-flops) leads to the prints.
• Respect the Resource: Sadly, past vandalism has forced temporary closures. Don’t pour water on the tracks for photos. Don’t make rubbings. Definitely don’t try to cast or chisel a souvenir. Leave only footprints - your own modern ones.

Camping: From RV Pads to Walk-In Solitude

Red Fleet’s main campground sits on a rise above the lake. It is shaded by juniper and piñon pine. Upgrades in 2023 added new electrical hookups, a modern shower house and improved ADA access. It looked very new and modern to us. And extremely clean.

• Single Sites (A-Loop): Water + 30/50 AMP power, table, fire ring.
• Tent-Only Walk-In Sites: Short carry from parking. Maximum lake views.
• Group Pavilion: Can be reserved for reunions and scout troops.
• Cabin Pods (coming 2025): Plans call for year-round heated cabins overlooking the water.

Nights are said to cool into the low 60s in midsummer. This is perfect sleeping-bag weather once the sunset has painted the cliffs crimson.

Photo - Travel Utah

Trails Beyond the Trackway

• Sandstone Trail (1 mile): Quick loop from the picnic area to a rim overlook. Good sunrise photo spot.
• Red Fleet-Steinaker Connector (6 miles one-way): Mountain-bike-friendly single-track linking Red Fleet with Steinaker State Park through high-desert terrain. Expect rolling slick-rock, juniper and distant views of the Uinta Mountains.
• Coyote Wash Route: Unmarked drainage exploration. Check with rangers for conditions and GPS tracks.

Winter at Red Fleet State Park: Quiet Shores
& Ice-Rimmed Rocks

While summer draws SUP boards and fishing boats, winter turns Red Fleet into a study in silence. Light snowfall dusts the cliffs. The reservoir ices at the edges.

Hardy anglers punch holes for perch and trout. The campground stays open (vault toilets only) and stargazing under cold, crystal-clear skies is superb.

Photo - Travel Utah

Gateway to Dinosaurland

Use Red Fleet as a basecamp for a multi-day dinosaur fossil frenzy:

• Utah Field House of Natural History Museum (Vernal): World-class fossil displays just 10 minutes south.
• Dinosaur National Monument (Quarry): Touch real bones still embedded in rock 20 miles east.
• McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs: Outdoor gallery of Fremont culture rock art, 16 miles west.

Visitor Info

• Hours: 6 A.M. - 10 P.M. year-round
• Park Elevation: 5,500 feet
• Park Acreage: 1,963 acres
• Day-Use Fee: $10 per vehicle (Utah resident) / $15 non-resident
• Camping: $30 - $45 per night (site type)
• Boat Rentals & Kayaks/Paddleboards: at park concession (May–Sept)
• Pets: Allowed on leash, not on designated swim beach
• Reservations: Check the Reserve America site. 
• Check the official Utah State Parks site for trackway status, possible seasonal trail closures and updated fee information. 

Photo - Travel Utah

Quick Tips for First-Timers

•  Arrive Early in summer. Parking fills up by 10 a.m. on weekends.
•  Bring Shade - there are few trees near the water.
•  Pack Extra Water for the trackway hike. It can be very hot due to the reflective heat off slick-rock.
•  Watch the Wind: Afternoon gusts can whip up whitecaps. Plan paddle outings before noon.
•  Respect Fossils: Photograph, ponder, leave intact.

Final Thoughts

Red Fleet State Park is proof that you don’t need a giant national park designation to experience Utah’s geologic drama. Where else can you paddle a desert lake, scramble to dinosaur tracks and camp beneath crimson cliffs.

We thought it was a beautiful setting and were especially impressed with the new updated facilities and overall cleanliness. This is another one we would definitely like to come back to and explore.

Red Fleet State Park
8750 N Hwy 191
Vernal, UT 84078
Phone: (435) 789-4432
Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/red-fleet/

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