Freedom 250 Grand Opening Celebration at the McCoy Flats Campground
VERNAL, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday at the grand opening of the Vernal Field Office’s McCoy Flats Campground on Thurs., Sept. 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MDT. The event will take place at the campground, located approximately seven miles southwest of Vernal next to the renowned McCoy Flats Mountain Bike Trail System.
The BLM and county leadership will kick-off the event with opening remarks starting at noon followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. Attendees will be able to tour the campground, meet Smokey Bear, and interact with local organizations, including Dinosaur National Monument and the Northeastern Utah Mountain Bikers.
The grand opening celebrates America's 250th anniversary and the Department of the Interior's Freedom 250 commitment to expand outdoor recreation on BLM-managed public lands. The new campground meets the fast-growing recreation demand in northeast Utah and reflects a shared dedication to stewardship, access, and America's outdoor heritage.
The new McCoy Flats Campground will offer 23 campsites, including three that are walk-in for a more secluded experience, two campsites and both group sites meet accessibility standards, and 10 are built for large RVs. Reservations begin Sept. 3, at $10 per night. Each site offers a picnic table and fire ring, with half having sunshades. There is a day-use area, vault toilets, large picnic pavilions, bike repair area and tools, and informational kiosks displaying maps. The route to the campground is mostly paved or compacted dirt road, so four-wheel drive vehicles are not required for access. A unique feature is campers can ride directly onto the 35 miles of interconnecting single-track mountain bike loops and the nearby Butch Cassidy OHV Loop. Recreation on BLM-managed public lands in Utah boosts the state’s economy by $2.7 billion.
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: McCoy Flats Campground - 40°22'9.73"N 109°35'30.01"W; approx. 7 miles SW of Vernal Utah
Program: Remarks, Ribbon Cutting, Tours, Refreshments
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.