Goosenecks State Park in Utah

If we hadn’t been screwed in Monument Valley, we would have never stumbled upon Goosenecks State Park. There’s not much to the park, really, just a pit toilet and a parking lot you can camp in (for free). No water, no real trails, just the “goosenecks” of the San Juan River. However, the park has been written up somewhere, because there’s a constant trickle of tourists that drive in, snap a pic, and take off. Somebody has heard of this place.

You can see the massively deep meandering canyon best from above:

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The view from the side of the canyon isn’t bad either:

Sun shifting over the canyon.

The meanders — they’re deep. Three loops are near the viewing area, but it’s impossible to get them all in the frame.

Toilets, tourists (on motorcycle), viewing area: Goosenecks State Park. That’s Monument Valley in the distance.

There’s a rafting party down there — the blue things are boats.

Me on the edge before Lisa woke up — I’m the pointy shadow.

A couple tourists on the edge too.

Mexican Hat.

The end of the road at Goosenecks State Park.

Paul successfully preparing dinner in a windstorm.

If you’re in the area, be sure to check out Mexican Hat and its namesake rock. If you’re hungry and brave, try the Swinging Steak restaurant (one of the best / only restaurants in town according to the interwebs), which is either a place where steaks swap wives or where steaks are grilled on a swinging grill suspended over an open fire. One of those.