Utah does not disappoint when it comes to its state parks. From beautiful Snow Canyon State Park in the southern part of the state to Willard Bay State Park up north, there are some pretty remarkable places to spend a day. However, one that is often overlooked but always worth a family getaway is Steinaker State Park. Located right in the heart of Dinosaurland in Utah, this park features something for everyone — camping, boating, hiking, fishing, and dark skies. It may just become your new favorite Utah state park to visit, particularly when the weather gets nice and the natural beauty is at its peak. Read on to discover why Steinaker State Park should be on your Utah bucket list!

You’ll want to gather your family and hop in the car for a visit to Steinaker State Park. Located less than 10 miles from Vernal, this state park is a fabulous place to spend a warm summer day.

This Utah state park is home to Steinaker Reservoir. This unique body of water stores runoff water from Ashley Creek and also provides irrigation water to the Ashley Valley. This area became a state park in 1964.

Steinaker Reservoir features 825 surface acres and is perfect for some time on the water. Bring a boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, etc., and spend some time exploring the reservoir …

… and don’t forget a fishing pole! This state park offers excellent fishing opportunities.

Kids and kids at heart will love spending a day playing on the beach or even taking a swim from the swim dock.

You can even enjoy a weekend away by staying at the Steinaker State Park Campground. Here, you’ll find tent and RV campsites as well as a cabin if you desire to stay someplace a little more like home.

But regardless of whether you camp or you simply visit for a day, make sure you stay until dark and take a look at the night sky.

This is an International Dark Sky Park and is where you can enjoy some of the darkest night skies in the entire world. In fact, the closest significant source of light is Vernal which is several miles away.

Boat, fish, swim, picnic, camp, and stare at the night sky — Steinaker State Park is truly the ultimate family destination.

Have you ever been to Steinaker State Park near Vernal? What did you do during your visit? Did you bring your entire family along? Let us know in the comments. Visit the Utah State Parks website and the Steinaker State Park Facebook page for additional information.

Before you spend a day outdoors, make sure you are prepared. Visit REI for all of your outdoor gear and take a look at this list featuring nine lesser-known state parks in the Beehive State that will totally amaze you.