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The Outdoor Forum
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31 miles from Moab, 26 miles from Arches National Park and 10 miles from Canyonlands National Park. From Moab go north on US 191 for 11 miles, then left on UT 313 for almost 20 miles.
Named for a herd of mustangs corralled into a natural rock formation and accidentally left to die of thirst in view of the Colorado River, the park offers great views of buttes and sandstone cliffs in the Colorado River's 2,000 foot canyons. There are views of the river's goosenecks as it meanders along the canyon bottom. Park offers camping and RV hook up.
125 miles from Moab, 130 miles from Arches National Park and 150 miles from Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky and 112 miles from the Needles District. The park is open year round. The park offers views of the goosenecks in the San Juan River as it carved its way around stronger rock. Along the way, you can stop at Mexican Hat, a 2,500 ton rock shaped like a sombrero that is sixty feet wide and twelve feet thick atop a two hundred plus foot cliff. It is a quick trip from Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Approximately 100 miles from Moab or Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky entrance, 95 from Arches National Park and 47 miles from the east side of Capitol Reef National Park. From US 70 take exit 147 - UT 24, and continue 30 miles Utah 24 to the Temple Mountain junction,then 5 miles west on paved road, then seven miles south to park. This park is tough to get to, but a lot of fun. The park has thousands of colorful rock formations that resemble goblins balanced rocks, spires and pedestals. It is a great place for photographs early and late in the day and fun for children. There are tant and RV sites and the park is open all year. We coupled this together with a hike in Little Wild Horse/ Bell Canyon, a long, beautiful slot canyon five miles from Goblin Valley. There are hiking paths in Goblin, but they are poorly defined and you would do just as well wandering among the numerous, colorful formations. The Park is only about a mile across and two miles long. Approximately 90 miles from Capitol Reef National Park, 25 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park and 90 miles from the southeast entrance of Zion National Park. From UT 12 just east on Cannonville the park is 9 miles south on Cottonwood Canyon Road. This park is in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The park contains rock formations colored red, yellow, pink, white, and brown. It also has massive chimney spires and sand pipes and hiking trails. Trails in Kodachrome Basin Panorama Trail A 2.5 mile loop trail that goes to Panorama Point offering a good view of the rock formations in the park. If you take the side trails to the sand pipes, box canyons, and other beautiful points, this trail can add up to be five miles. Eagles View Pass A .5 mile steep trail taking you also to a good view of the park's rock formations from Eagles View Pass. Shakespeare Arch A .6 mile hike through cliffs to a small arch. The one mile Sentinel Trail loops around the top of the rock formation where Shakespeare Arch is included.
Edge of the Cedars State Park The park is the site of an ancient Puebloan Indian village inhabited 750-1200.There is a picnic area available. A museum features the history of San Juan County, from the ancient Anasazi, through the Navajo and Ute Indians, and Euro-American Settlers and contains a large Anasazi Pottery collections in the Southwest.
The park is just off US 191 in Blanding, Utah. It is 75 miles from Moab, 80 miles from Arches National Park and 104 miles from Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky and 70 miles from the Needles District. The park is open year round.
Calf Creek is 65 miles from Capitol Reef National Park and 140 miles from the southeast entrance of Zion National Park.
Calf Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall with a large colorful basin underneath that is perfect for swimming. Its basin is surrounded by cottonwoods. It is on State Highway 12, east of Escalante.
The 5.5 mile trail is mostly on soft sand. It follows a creek for part of the way and passes rock art before coming to falls. The falls drop down straight on a slab of rock discolored from mold and moss, which makes it look very pretty. It's a great hike, especially if you are bringing children.
83 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park and 32 miles from Capitol Reef National Park. An ancient Anasazi Indian Village occupied from A.D. 1050 to 1200. Eighty-seven rooms have been excavated and a life sized six room replica of an Anasazi dwelling reflects village life 800 years ago.
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Links to Utah State Park Site: Links to photos on other sites of these areas: Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon
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