Steinaker State Park

High-Desert Water & Four Season
Fun in Dinosaur Country

Drive six miles north of Vernal and you’ll come upon a scene where blue water meets red sandstone at Steinaker State Park. Ringed by piñon-juniper hills and framed by the Uinta Mountains in the distance, the park delivers classic Utah contrasts. You’ll experience arid desert slopes one minute and cool water inviting you in the next.

On our recent 1,800 road trip adventure, my wife and I managed to stop and visit Steinaker which is one of the three state parks in the Vernal area. We had been there many years before on a visit to the area with our children.

With renovated camp loops, excellent trout fishing and Vernal’s fossil-rich museums just down the road, Steinaker becomes an easy choice for families, anglers and anyone craving a water playground without elbow-to-elbow crowds.

A Reservoir with a Workhorse Heritage

Completed in 1962 as part of the federal Central Utah Project, Steinaker Dam backs up Ashley Creek to irrigate farms across the Uinta Basin. Recreation was a major consideration from day one and the state park opened soon after.

Today, the 820-acre reservoir is a magnet for summer boaters and winter ice-fishermen alike. Recent drought cycles occasionally draw water levels down but upgrades in 2022 added a deeper launch ramp, extended docks and new fish-habitat structures to keep the park viable year-round.

Warm-Weather Highlights

We stopped by Steinaker State Park on our recent road trip. It brought back memories of when our kids were quite small. We took the whole family out to Vernal one summer to see Dinosaur National Monument and its quarry.

Planning ahead on that trip, we had already scoped out Steinaker for some cool water fun on one of the scorching summer days. We have some fond memories of spending an afternoon at one of the camping spots while our kids got their fill of the refreshing water.

I remember we also spent a couple nights at a rental cabin up near one of the Uinta lakes but I can’t remember the name.

Boating & Paddling

Steinaker has a two-lane concrete ramp with no motor size limit. The lake itself has 825 acres of surface area. Most craft on the reservoir are fishing boats, ski boats and personal watercraft.

There are kayak and SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) rentals available at the beach concession. Try dawn paddling for mirror-still water and sunrise on the cliffs. We were overlooking the lake before 09:00 A.M. and there were kayaks and float tubes visible on the reservoir.

Swimming Beach

A broad, gently sloped shoreline on the south side offers warm water fun during the hot summer months. Life-jackets are required for kids 12 and under. In the shade pavilions, it is first-come, first-served.

Fishing

Steinaker is stocked with rainbow and brown trout plus fat bluegill and largemouth bass. Utah Wildlife biologists repeatedly rank it among the state’s top warm-water fisheries. Ice thickness is monitored December through February for those who like ice fishing.

Upgraded Camping Comfort in Dinosaurland

The main campground reopened in 2023 after a full overhaul. It now offers:

• Single RV / Tent Sites: 30/50-amp power, water, fire ring, tables (many with lake views).
• Tent-Only Loop: Walk-in pads tucked into the junipers. Quiet, dark and perfect for dark sky Milky Way photos.
• Cabins: Two climate-controlled lakefront cabins with porch swings and private fire pits (reserve early – they go fast).
• Group Pavilion: Seats 60. It is said to be ideal for scout troops and family reunions.

Restrooms are new, showers are hot and we’re told the Wi-Fi/phone signal is excellent.

Trails Old & New

Shoreline Trail (2 miles R/T)

It is an easy stroll from the day-use beach to the dam overlook. Early spring brings desert wildflowers. Fall rings the shoreline with crimson cottonwood leaves.

Red Fleet Connector (6 miles one-way)

There is a mountain-bike-friendly, single track linking Steinaker to neighboring Red Fleet State Park. You will experience rolling slick-rock, rabbitbrush and distant views of Kings Peak, Utah’s highest summit.

McCoy Flats Trail System (10 minutes south)

Not technically inside the park but it is worth a shout-out. There are 40+ miles of celebrated mountain bike loops on BLM land. It offers everything from easy cruisers to techy slick-rock.

Photo: Travel Utah

Winter Quiet at Steinaker State Park

When the crowds head to the ski slopes, Steinaker shifts into hush mode. Ice thickness often exceeds 12 inches and anglers haul rainbow trout through the frozen sheet while bald eagles soar overhead.

The campground remains open but only the vault toilets. It is said that snowshoeing the closed park roads under a full moon might be the most peaceful night you’ll ever spend in northeast Utah.

Gateway to Vernal’s Fossil Fame

Nearby, you’ll find access to some of the area’s other attractions.

• Utah Field House of Natural History (6 mi): world-class dinosaur exhibits and a garden of life-size replicas.
• Dinosaur National Monument (20 mi): touch bones still embedded in the quarry rock.
• McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs (14 mi): outdoor gallery of Fremont-culture rock art.
• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (45 mi): day-trip for trophy lake trout or scenic drives over the dam. Or drive through on the way back to Salt Lake City like we did.
• Red Fleet State Park: just a couple miles north.

Stay at Steinaker and you can sample all of Dinosaurland without repacking the car each night.

Photo: Travel Utah

General Info and Fees

• Hours: 6:00 A.M. 10:00 P.M. year-round
• Day-Use Fee: $10/vehicle (UT resident): $15 (non-resident). Check the state website https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/steinaker/ for updated fee information.
• Camping: $30–$45/night (site type); cabins - $95/night
• Boat Inspections: Mandatory AIS (quagga mussel) checks at entrance
• Pets: Welcome on a leash but not on the roped swim beach
• Reservations: Go to the Reserve America website. 

Quick Tips

• Arrive early on summer Saturdays. Ramps and beach parking fill by 10:00 A.M.
• Bring shade: the desert sun is intense and trees are sparse.
• Watch afternoon winds that whip whitecaps by 3:00 P.M. Plan your paddling for mornings.
• Check water levels in late summer. Launch extensions handle low water years but check ahead.
• Pair with Red Fleet for a two-park weekend. It is less than 15 minutes away.

Photo - Travel Utah

Final Thoughts

Steinaker State Park may not boast the dinosaur trackways of its sister park up the road … Red Fleet State Park … but it delivers something equally satisfying.

Its cool, blue water framed by classic Utah sandstone gives you a front row seat to Vernal’s surrounding fossil, trail, and river country. Steinaker offers four-seasons of reasons to linger in Dinosaurland.

Steinaker State Park
4335 N Hwy 191
Vernal, UT 84078
Phone: (435) 789-4432
Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/steinaker/

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