National park
State park · Eastern Utah
Goosenecks State Park
A cliff-top viewpoint over the San Juan River, which loops back on itself in deep entrenched meanders 1,000 feet below. Small park, very big view.
Photo: Steven Baltakatei Sandoval · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At Goosenecks, the San Juan River twists through a series of tight meanders, carving a canyon about 1,000 feet deep. In about a mile and a half as the crow flies, the river travels more than six miles. The layered rock walls show 300 million years of geologic history.
The park is little more than a viewpoint, picnic tables and a primitive campground, but the view is the point. It is especially dramatic at sunset, and the night sky here is dark and huge.
Don't miss
- Goosenecks OverlookA view down to the San Juan’s looping meanders.
- SunsetThe canyon walls glow as the sun drops.
- Primitive campingSimple sites on the canyon rim under dark skies.
- Moki DugwayA nearby gravel switchback road that climbs 1,200 feet up Cedar Mesa.
Good to know
- Combine with Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods and Natural Bridges for a loop.
- There is no water at the park; bring what you need.
- Stay back from the edge; there are no railings on much of the rim.