Goosenecks State Park

How to Get There

From Page, AZ (151 mi): Follow AZ-98 E to US-160 E in Navajo County. Take US-163 N to UT-261 N in San Juan County. Drive to UT-316 W

Overview

Goosenecks State Park is a small, undeveloped Utah state park near Mexican Hat that overlooks a dramatic entrenched meander of the San Juan River, about 1,000 feet below the rim. The river winds back on itself for roughly five to six miles while advancing only about 1.5 miles toward Lake Powell, a landscape created when the rising Monument Upwarp forced the river to carve ever deeper into the rock as it meandered. The park opened to the public in 1962 and covers only about 10 acres, but its sweeping views draw travelers who combine it with nearby Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods. Visitors come to look into the canyon, photograph the bends, picnic, camp at the rim and enjoy dark night skies.

Access

Goosenecks State Park lies in far southeastern Utah in San Juan County, a few miles off UT-261 north of Mexican Hat. From US-163 near Mexican Hat, take UT-261 north, then turn west onto UT-316 and follow the short road to its end at the overlook. The road is paved and suitable for ordinary vehicles, and a self-serve fee station collects the day-use fee. The nearest town is Mexican Hat, and the closest large communities are far away, so arrive with fuel, food and water. Drinking water is not available in the park.

Seasons

The park is open 24 hours a day year-round, and the views are good in every season. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable temperatures for camping and sightseeing, while summer days can be very hot with little shade at the rim. Winters are cool to cold, sometimes with a dusting of snow, and the park is usually quiet. Sunrise and sunset are the best times for photography, when low light brings out the layers of the canyon walls, and the park is an International Dark Sky Park, so clear nights are excellent for stargazing. Stay well back from the unfenced edge, particularly in wind and after dark.

Things to Do

View the Goosenecks Overlook

The main activity is walking the rim to look down on the San Juan River's tight, looping bends. Several viewpoints along the edge show the layered rock walls and the river far below.

Stargaze and Photograph

Because the park is far from city lights, it is a good place for stargazing and night photography, as well as sunrise and sunset shots of the canyon.

Picnic and Camp

Picnic tables and fire pits are available, and primitive campsites sit back from the rim for those who want to overnight with a view.

Visitor Centers

There is no visitor center or staffed facility at Goosenecks State Park. Services are limited to vault toilets, picnic tables and fire pits, and a self-serve station for fees. For maps, road conditions and area information, contact Utah State Parks or stop at visitor information in Mexican Hat, Bluff or at Monument Valley before heading out. The park has no developed trails, though the Honaker Trail a few miles northwest descends to the river for experienced hikers.

Camping and Lodging

The park offers primitive camping at the rim with picnic tables, fire pits and vault toilets; there is no water, so bring your own, and reservations are available through Utah State Parks. Motels and lodges can be found in Mexican Hat, a short drive away, and in Bluff and Monument Valley, within about an hour. Kayenta, Arizona, about 51 miles away, and Blanding and Mexican Water within one to two hours offer additional hotels and campgrounds. Lodging is limited in this remote corner of the Four Corners region, so book ahead in spring and fall.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Goosenecks State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Additional information from Utah State Parks.