May 17, 2018 i first heard about goosenecks state park from reading scotts blog post. Catch a sunset at goosenecks state park the outbound. Goosenecks state park internet space chemisty michael. A stunning overlook views an ancestral entrenched meander, deep, looping curves carved by the san juan river. Utahs epic goosenecks state park decide your adventure. Goosenecks state park located near mexican hat, in san juan county, southwestern utah. Goosenecks state park blanding all you need to know. Goosenecks state park is a park that overlooks south over a several tight meanders or goosenecks that have been carved over thousands of years by the san juan river. Serendipity brought us to one of the most breathtaking views i have ever seen in my life. The goosenecks of the san juan river have rightfully earned themselves a state park designation. The image shows goosenecks state park, where the river is surrounded by canyon walls more than 1,000 feet high. There is a pavilion with a picnic table for dinner while you wait for the sunset, and there are also bathrooms if you need them. Take hwy 191 s for 30 miles and merge onto hwy 163 s. Give mom something special this yearshow her an adventure in utahs beautiful backyard.
May 23, 2018 although goosenecks state park is a wonderful place to camp, there arent many things to do in the park. On the edge of a deep canyon above the sinuous river meander known as a gooseneck, this small park affords impressive views of one of the most striking examples of an entrenched river meander on the north american continent. Posted on april 4, 2016 by roads less traveled march 2016 just over the border of utah and arizona at the eastern edges of the two states, a few miles north of monument valley, lies a fabulous scenic drive through an area called the valley of the gods. Geologists say this erosion has uncovered a rock record exposing some 300 million years of time. This post was posted in monument valley, remote leigh, remoteleigh, remoteleigh, uncategorized and tagged awestruck moments, camping in goosenecks, connection over conquer, dancing on the edge of the world, exploring utah, feeling awestruck, goosenecks state park, horseshoe bend, leigh swansborough, mia dyson, mia dyson dancing on the edge of. Many visitors to dead horse point state park combine their visit with other nearby. Goosenecks state park is one of the most beautiful places weve ever camped. The 17 mile offroad trek on valley of the gods rd was a real challenge in some areas but well worth it. This state park is made up of a winding river and the series of canyons it has formed.
Take a selfie or picture of yourself at goosenecks state park with the goosenecks in the background. Goosenecks trail capitol reef national park, ut live and. Find detailed information for goosenecks state park. Since goosenecks state park is largely undeveloped and viewing the canyons of the san juan river is the most popular activity, there are no designated trails. Light gray, pink, and white striations parallel lines on the canyon walls mark where the river has eaten away at the ancient landscape to reveal 16 layers of geology, the oldest of which is well over 300 million years old.
Goosenecks state park, blanding ticket price timings. There is no drinking water available, so make sure and take your own. Goosenecks state park offers picnic areas, primitive camping, vault toilets, and an observation shelter. Goosenecks state park offers spectacular views of this amazing and rare geologic formation, known as an entrenched meander. Goosenecks state park in southern utah is a spectacular geological site that is definitely worth visiting on any trip through utah. This primitive park offers a spectacular view of this amazing natural phenomenon. The hike to goosenecks overlook in capitol reef national park is not much of a hike at all, and the round trip can be completed in as little as 510 minutes. The eight miles of trails at goose creek state park lead visitors through a broad range of coastal experienceslive oaks draped in spanish moss, wetlands along the pamlico sound and a cypress swamp viewed from an extensive boardwalk. We just moved into our airstream and will start traveling full time next year. Youll love the views for photography and the expansive night sky for stargazing. Experts say that historically this area was a rather flat land, with the san juan river already finding its meandering way through it.
Goosenecks state park 2 photos mexican hat, ut roverpass. It might take a poet several weeks to come up with the perfect words to describe the view at goosenecks state park. Driving johns canyon road near goosenecks state park, utah. If verified, you will receive a badge on your user page and you will rank up. This primitive park offers a spectacular view of this amazing and rare geologic formation, known as an entrenched meander.
Complete information for the goosenecks state park campground in near, utah photos, maps. It is truly amazing how the river has carved these deep goosenecks and canyons. Dec 01, 2014 the sunrise at utahs goosenecks state park was just um okay. Then a period of uplift occurred on the colorado plateau. Our first stop was goosenecks state park, overlooking a deep meander of the san juan river. The park overlooks the meanders of the san juan river, and canyons that have eroded over the millennia. Fortunately, there are quite a few things to do within a reasonable drive from the park.
My boyfriend and i are just a week apart in birthdays, so we usually combine them and. Dec 01, 2014 goosenecks state park gc5h9t9 was created by specialscooter on 1212014. Within minutes, you can enjoy a round of golf at one of ten courses, explore over 500 miles of trails and bikeways, ski worldclass downhill slopes, go sightseeing at antelope island state park and the great salt lake, or enjoy family fun at seven different amusement centers like lagoon, the largest amusement park in the intermountain west. The desert views from the top of the canyon that is the result of 300 million years of geological activity are breathtaking. Hotels near goosenecks state park, blanding on tripadvisor. Located just 10 miles northwest of the town of mexican hat, the park overlooks the san juan river as it carves through the desert on its way across the state. Youll find it in mexican hat, roughly 270 miles 435 kilometers from the state capital, salt lake city. Goosenecks state park blanding 2020 all you need to. For the adventurous and those who want to get a view of the goosenecks from below, there is an undeveloped trail that passes through rugged and rocky terrain with varying degree of steepness. Goosenecks state park, utah, camping at goosenecks state park. The park is open 24 hours and there is no entrance fee. The park is located near the southern border of the state, a short distance from mexican hat, utah. Goosenecks state park, utah american west travelogue. Apr 07, 2014 in fact, the spires and buttes youll see in the background at goosenecks are actually the monoliths of monument valley off in the distance.
There are no formal hiking trails, but you can hike along the rim for miles. Millions of years ago, the monument upwarp forced the river to carve incised meanders over 1,000 feet 300 m deep as the. The park has just one extended viewpoint of several huge river bends, flowing in a deep canyon with a series of stepped cliffs and terraces. Moab utah goosenecks state park is a great place to visit on your moab utah vacation. Feb 07, 2020 make sure to visit this state park, it is just a few miles out of mexican hat and it is well worth the little jaunt. The park is located near the southern border of the state a short distance from mexican hat, utah. Escape from the traffic and tarmac when you visit goosenecks state park, where mother nature will nourish you. As you head north from monument valley, perhaps to moab and its popular national parks arches and canyonlands national parks, you are treated to an unending display of utahs surreal and colorful canyon country. It might not sound like the park has much to offer. The goosenecks range from about 12 to 4 ft long, with bores up to about 40 deep, says mr sobol. What makes goosenecks state park so appealing is the remote area that its located in. The parks website warns that there are no hiking or biking trails within the park, but the park is pretty much just a gravel parking lot, an outhouse, and a view. And a few miles later was the turnoff to goosenecks state park. Goosenecks state park is primitive, boasting a picnic area and an incredible overlook as its only amenities.
Millions of years ago, the monument upwarp forced the river to carve incised meanders over 1,000. Goosenecks state park is one of the least developed properties in the utah state park system. The san juan river twists and turns through the meander. Goosenecks state park offers picnic areas, primitive camping, vault toilets, and an. Goosenecks state park is easily accessible, and worth a visit. Goosenecks state park is home to a beautiful meander of the san juan river, which the park was name after. The idea of parking stimpy on the rim of a rock cliff overlooking a deep canyon was all i needed to remember this place. The river has carved a deep canyon here, dropping about 1,000 feet below the viewpoint. Said in plain english, entrenched meanders are the deeplycut river bends that make you want to pull out your camera and take a photograph. Dead horse point state park canyonlands visit utah. Over a distance of one and a half miles, the san juan river flows for more than six miles through the twists of the entrenched meander. Goosenecks state park goosenecks state park is located.
Goosenecks state park can be intensely hot during summer months and there is no shade anywhere. The park has picnic areas, primitive camping, vault toilets and an observation shelter. Camp at goosenecks state park, goosenecks state park. Oct 22, 20 great ride and some incredibly beautiful sights. The san juan river makes a series of tight turns goosenecks below this viewpoint. Book your tickets online for goosenecks overlook, capitol reef national park. Goosenecks state park can be intensely hot during summer months, and there is no shade. Located near the southern border of the state, goosenecks state park is a small slice of grand canyon views in utah. Goosenecks overlook is located in capitol reef national park. Company reinvents itself with technology, innovation for example a 14,000pound gtwr flatbed trailer with a gooseneck hitch might have a pair of 6,400pound gawr axles under it.
Goosenecks state park is now on our must visit list along with other sites youve shown us. As you drive up, you have no idea that an epic view of a ft canyon carved by the san juan river lies only feet away from the parking area. Dead horse point state park offers scenic overlooks of moab and the colorado river in southern utah. Then goosenecks state park located on might be the place for you. Goosenecks state park community magazine zions bank.
To get to goosenecks state park, travel 25 miles west of bluff along us 163, west on sr 261, then southwest on sr 316. A meander or restrained meander, is a river that cuts its way through the many layers of various types of stone to form features such as this. I wrote about the johns canyon road drive in the previous post. Goosenecks state park blanding 2020 all you need to know. Gc5h9t9 goosenecks state park traditional cache in utah. You can drive around a portion of this and you can walk a long way around. Best hotels near goosenecks state park, blanding tripadvisor. Goosenecks definition of goosenecks by medical dictionary. Goosenecks state park map bears ears national monument. The goosenecks state park of the san juan river are a series of tight loops or goosenecksmade by the river as it flows towards the colorado river. Goosenecks state park is located near the southern border of the state of utah, a short distance from mexican hat, in the western united states. Verify my picture button on the left hand side bar.
Explore the most popular trails in goosenecks state park with handcurated trail maps and driving directions as well as. It is about 3040 min north of monument valley and the forrest gump point. Its a regular size geocache, with difficulty of 1, terrain of 1. Flight recreation area utah state parks and recreation and the utah hang gliding and paragliding association uhgpga are partnering to preserv. Goosenecks state park campground mexican hat, utah rv park. As the land rose, the river flowed faster while still following its meandering course. Millions of years ago, the monument upwarp forced the river to carve incised meanders over 1,000 feet 300 m deep as the surrounding landscape slowly rose in elevation. The river cut into the land, eventually creating the impressive entrenched meanders seen at goosenecks state park today. Perched above bends in the san juan river feet below youre high enough to have an incredible view right out your door but not too high that you cant hear the river.
Goosenecks state park campground grand canyon trust. The state of utah boasts more than 40 different state parks, and goosenecks state park is one of its most unique. Add goosenecks overlook and other attractions to your capitol reef national park trip itinerary using our capitol reef national park travel route app. It was along this historic trail that early detailed studies were done on the pennsylvanian period limestone, and is known as the type locality for the honaker trail formation, a rock layer laid down in the pennsylvanian period. So when our travel route brought us to the area, goosenecks state park was one of the stops we had to do. Fremont indian and discover artifacts, petroglyphs, and pictographs left behind by the fremont indians. Beyond the visible meanders, the river continues to twist and turn as the canyon deepens, before joining lake powel after about 35 miles. The campground at goosenecks state park is primitive but features impressive views of the san juan rivers deep meanders. Near the goosenecks state park is the honaker trail which leads from the river to the top of the canyon. Do you want to know the entry ticket price for goosenecks state park. The state park offers spectacular views of the goosenecks, officially known as an entrenched meander. This park is great for anyone hoping to learn about geology, get far away from. Goblin valley state park kodachrome basin state park goosenecks state park.
Features the entrenched meanders carved down by the san juan river, cut into sandstone formations in the physiographic canyon lands section of the colorado plateau province. This state park lies in the middle of nowhere, about 2 hours south of moab. Beyond the visible meanders, the river continues to twist and turn as the canyon deepens, before joining lake powell after about 35 miles. The 600foot trail, however, does lead to a fine viewpoint of sulphur creek as it snakes its way through a rugged canyon 800 feet below. In geology, goosenecks is a term used for sinuous canyons and valleys that resemble the curved neck of a goose. The trail is primarily used for walking and is best used from march until november. This utah state park affords impressive views of the san juan river as it meanders or goosenecks through the canyon feet below. Located north of mexican hat, goosenecks state park is an easytogetto area with a milliondollar view. Goosenecks state park is worth a visit utah geological survey.
Eroded by water, wind, frost, and gravity, this is truly a magnificent viewpoint. Goosenecks state park is a dramatic statement of what 300 million years can do to the land. Goosenecks state park is one of the greatest places in utah to see such magnificent erosional feats. On the edge of a deep canyon above the sinuous river meander known as a gooseneck, this small park affords impressive. The park has no hiking trails, and while it may not be a destiniation in and of itself, its worth checking out if youre heading to or coming from nearby cedar mesa, utah. For one i could find very little information about the park online. Visitors experience profound solitude at goosenecks state park as they look down 1,000 feet into an entrenched meander created by the siltladen san juan river moab utah. Located southwest of bluff is a broad landscape that, with 300 million years of natural san juan river erosion, offers nikonprompting, 1,000feetdeep glimpses into the earths geological past. Toutes les infos utiles pour visiter goosenecks state park. Goosenecks state park goosenecks utah utah tourism. Over a distance of one and a half miles, the san juan flows for more than six miles through the twists of the entrenched meander. Goosenecks became a utah state park in 1962, though, truthfully, the san juan river has been carving out this area for the past hundreds of millions of years. Mexican hat, ut goosenecks state park is located near the town of mexican hat, utah off of highway ut316, about 30 miles north of monument valley.
Order online tickets tickets see availability directions location. Goosenecks state park the good, the bad and the rv. The official description for this type of natural formation is an entrenched river meander. Goosenecks state park is, in essence, a parking lot perched at the edge of a precarious 1,000foot cliff.