Where Sky and Earth Meet: Why Goosenecks State Park Stuns First-Time-Visitors

Where Sky and Earth Meet: Why Goosenecks State Park Stuns

First-Time Visitors

Some views take a minute to sink in. Goosenecks State Park is one of them.
Perched on the rim of a 1,000-foot canyon in southeastern Utah, the park overlooks one of the
most dramatic sets of river bends in the world. Below you, the San Juan River loops back on
itself again and again, traveling more than six miles through the canyon to advance just a mile
and a half across the land. From above, it looks like the river is tying itself in knots.
The geology is the real showstopper. The layered walls of the canyon were laid down about 300
million years ago, when this part of Utah was a shallow inland sea. Over time, the land lifted, the
river cut down, and each curve of the water carved a deeper notch into the stone. The result is
what geologists call “entrenched meanders” a textbook phenomenon you can see with your
own eyes from the overlook.
Photographers love Goosenecks, and one in-person visit makes it obvious why. The canyon
changes with the light. At sunrise the walls glow gold and orange. At midday the shadows
sharpen every ledge and ripple. At sunset the rock turns deep red, and after dark the sky
explodes with stars. Goosenecks sits far from city lights and offers some of the clearest night
skies in Utah. Bring a tripod, a wide-angle lens, and plenty of time.
The park itself is small and simple. A short drive on Utah State Route 316, about four miles
northwest of Mexican Hat, leads right to the rim. There are picnic tables, vault restrooms, and a
handful of campsites with unbeatable sunrise views. Bring your own water, food, and warm
layers- the wind picks up, and there's no shade.
Goosenecks pairs well with nearby stops at Valley of the Gods, Muley Point, and Monument
Valley, making it an easy addition to a day of scenic driving. 
Come for the view, leave with a little bit more.
Plan your visit at utahscanyoncountry.com or call San Juan County Visitor Services at 800-574-4386