I say Utah (like we’re reporting on the whole state), but really, we are talking about the southeast corner of the state in San Juan County, which is less than 10% of the Utah land mass (I looked it up).  We could probably fit most of New England into Utah, size-wise.  And truth be told, we technically dipped into northern Arizona, but let’s not quibble.

For this post, I’m going to divide it up based on where we stayed – camped.  Strap in: we had some awesome views, thanks, as always, to my bride for excellent planning!

Goosenecks State Park (Mexican Hat, UT).  Goosenecks State Park sits right on the San Juan River, and quite literally we were camped on the edge of this canyon that offered spectacular views of the river below.  Not a news alert that the reason the park is called Goosenecks is the shape of the river below though the canyon, which looks like multiple goose necks.  Understand, we visited Monument Valley, Natural Bridges National Monument, Lee’s Ferry, and Horseshoe Bend while camped here for two days.  For camping purposes, there are no services here – pack it in, pack it out.

 

 

While camped there, we journeyed up a daunting road (Rt 261) to the Natural Bridges National Monument.  Apparently, the bridges were originally dunes that became petrified, and over time streams cut away and left – voila – bridges.  I can’t honestly say this was our most riveting experience, but it was a pretty drive, although the ride up (and back) will cause you to tighten your cheeks.

We also took a trip into Mexican Hat, all part of Navajo County, where you will find Oljato-Monument Valley.  Once you get past the obvious Forrest Gump connection, these monuments are amazing.  Due to rain and low clouds during our visit, you will miss some of their beauty, but nonetheless, amazing views.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Beehive Campground).  This was an interesting campground, maybe a mile west of the Glen Canyon Dam.  This is beautiful terrain, but if you have a dog, there are briars everywhere, so dog walks can be tough.  We stayed overnight, and then moved on.  It did, however, offer an extremely close campground to visit the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell.  And of course, our continuing interface with the Colorado River.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lone Rock Campground).

Wow.  If you want to spend a night camping on a beach, this is your daddy.  Obviously, there are no services (there is a dump station), but what a view and experience as we camped on the beach at Wahweap Bay on Lake Powell.  I will caution that one needs to be very careful where one drives, as the sand in places can grab your wheels.  And we did experience high winds at night as a cold front blew through, so no awnings, please.

 

While camped there, we visited the area around Lee’s Ferry, which was an important crossing point across the Colorado River in an area where crossing the river was near impossible back in time.  You’ll see a raft expedition that was leaving the next day for a 21-day, 226-mile float down the Colorado on traditional Class 3 and 4 (the Colorado River actually rates the river 1-10) rapids. Because the Colorado River comes from deep out of the Glen Canyon Dam, it is very clear.  But as soon as the river joins up with other creeks that carry sediment (much from recent rains), you see how the river becomes clouded with silt as it continues its journey.

And not unlike Goosenecks, where you saw the San Juan River, we stopped at Horseshoe Bend.  Unlike Goosenecks, Horseshoe Bend is an extremely popular, highly visited tourist destination, but still a most beautiful site as you see the Colorado River below.

Onwards!