[1] The community is located primarily on the north bank of the confluence of the Duchesne and Green rivers at an elevation of 4,675 feet (1,425 m).

[5] The area was first settled by Europeans in the early 1830s when a trading post was established by French fur trader, Antoine Robidoux.

Although he moved the trading post further north within a few years, the settlement remained in use and became known as Fort Kit Carson.

)[5][6] Decades later, in 1881, an Indian agency for the Uncompahgre band of the Utes was established and included a post office for the area.

In response to the Meeker Massacre in Colorado in 1879, Fort Thornburgh was built in the area in 1886, but was moved to near the present day Vernal less than a year later.