Dinosaur River Expeditions to Sponsor Hotel Vernal Haunt for Charity

Dinosaur River Expeditions, the only locally-owned and operated whitewater rafting outfitter in Vernal, Utah, has a plan to raise money for local charities, and it's downright spooky. The company has teamed up with the historic Hotel Vernal to raise money for local charities in October through haunted tours and an escape room.

Dinosaur River Expeditions is located near Dinosaur National Monument, which offers one of the best windows into the late-Jurassic period with its stunning rock formations and impressive repository of over 1,500 dinosaur fossils. The company's expert rafting guides take guests on river expeditions in and around Dinosaur National Monument. Guests can raft down the Yampa River as well as the Green River through the picturesque Gates of Lodore.

Tyler Callantine, who owns the company along with his wife Jennifer, has a long track record of giving back to the Vernal community through charitable events. His next venture will be a Fear Haunt at the Hotel Vernal, complete with vampires, mad scientists, and unsettled spirits. This is the second year for the haunt, which raised over $48,000 last year to benefit local non-profits. This year's event will include the addition of a Halloween-themed escape room for up to eight guests.

Proceeds from the haunt will support four local charities: Uintah County Search and Rescue, Drug Court, the Rotary Club's literacy initiative, and Charitable Friends of Ashley Valley.

Callantine, whose family history spans three generations in Vernal and who has been guiding chartered river rafting trips in the area for more than 25 years, said that he is excited to help fund these vital organizations.

"Uintah County is more than just a place we work," said Callantine. "We love this community for both its beauty and its people. All of these non-profits help elevate the quality of life here, and we're excited to help them further their missions."

The haunt will take place at Hotel Vernal on 10 select nights in October, beginning on October 11 and ending on November 1. Events will start at 6 p.m. each night. The Fear Haunt and Escape Room will cost $12 for adults and $10 for students, veterans, and seniors. For those who want to play it safe, there will be a behind-the-scenes, un-haunted hotel tour on select nights from 4 to 7 p.m. for $5 per person. Guests are encouraged to bring two cans of food to receive a $2 discount on tickets.

To learn more about Dinosaur River Expeditions (including their one to five-day, all-inclusive rafting adventures) or their involvement with local charitable events such as the Hotel Vernal Haunt, visit www.DinosaurRiverExpeditions.com or call (800) 345-7238.