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frank_delargy Says: You take a short drive from the main road, maybe 2 miles and when the road stops, you get out the car and look down at the San Juan River about 1,000 feet below. When we were there, in the middle of tourist season (end of July) we were the only car there except for the local...
giampiero6 Says: Goosenecks State Park is a real gem. It's a beautiful deep canyon with an oxbox river bending through a steep gorge. It's like your own mini grand canyon! While less known than lots of the surrounding areas, it is nonetheless stunning and well worth a visit!
Pavlik_NL Says: These sites of natural splendour are not so much in the books of the great National Parks in the South West United States, but ... if you - like me - are going to make a roundtrip along them, you will find a 'empty' gap between Monument Valley (AZ) and Arches N.P. (Moab)....
giampiero6 Says: Well, I have to admit, that when we visited the place, we were completely alone. It was just after Christmas day and still quite cold. We just pulled up near the rim of the gorge and did our thing. We had a spectacular sunset of watching the organge light fade on monument...
Gouldings: Gouldings has a restaurant
frank_delargy Says: This restaurant is a good 30 miles, at least from Goosenecks and not the closest (Mexican Hat is closer)There are no facilities at Goosenecks.At Gouldings, breakfast was OK. Being in Navajo country, Fry bread came with everything.Fantastic view from our seat by the window,...
Any Navajo 'restaurant': Navajo Fry bread & Mutton Stew from the Navajo
frank_delargy Says: If you are in the are of Goosenecks, you are in Navajo or Ute country. If you want to sample the local food options, you need to try the traditional staple of the Navajo families, Mutton Stew on Fry Bread.Actually Fry bread comes with almost everything around here.. They use...
Pavlik_NL Says: None! Take care about lunchpackages if your driving through these areas. You have to take some detours into towns and villages if you want to have a prepared dish in a restaurant. From Kayenta to Blanding there are not many signs of civilisation, so if you do not want to...
Helpfulness
By car is the only way to get close to the several places I describe in this page.
Picture: now, that's why they call it 'Mexican Hat' as the stone is a turn over sombrero!
By car one can reach the Goosenecks, Mexican hat as well as the crossing of the Valley of the ods and the climbing on to the plain. But, get out of the car and inhale the wonders time after time, by taking the time to enjoy a time and time again changing landscapes.
Written Oct 15, 2002
mikehanneman Says: Be careful for livestock on the highways in the Southwest part of the United States.I was surprised there wasn't very much of a guard rail at Goosenecks. Keep an eye on your children!
giampiero6 Says: Yep. We were laughing about it when we started out, but the way that these formations are--like ledges--it's easy to scramble down leaping down from one ledge to the next. It makes a kind of steps of ridges that run around the contour. Well, it's easy enough on the way down,...
Helpfulness
A very small amount of the jewelry that the Navaho & Ute Indians 'booths' located at the tourists spots sell is actually made by them. Sometimes you will even see the "made in china" labels in some of the things they have for sale.
If it is machine-stamped, it is almost 100% made overseas.
Unique Suggestions: Now, If you don't mind buying something made in China and feel like you want to support them anyway.. that's fine, but don't assume that because they sell it that they make it.. After all, it takes a lot longer to make it than sell it and how many Navajo do you see making it by the side of the road?
Fun Alternatives: There are some places where you can buy genuine Navajo jewelry.. but.. it will cost more than the '3 for $10' variety.
Here is a webpage that discusses the ins & outs of Indian Jewelry.
http://www.silverstage.net/jewelry.htm
http://southwestsilvergallery.com/turquoiseFAQ.asp
Updated Oct 27, 2004
frank_delargy Says: Goosenecks is off the beaten path for most folks, but the road through the Valley of the Gods is even less traveled and just as rewarding. About 10 miles or so from Goosenecks in the west entrance to this 17 mile road that will take you through some of the most beautiful...
Pavlik_NL Says: The Goosenecks are a destination in between larger National Parks and Monuments. It takes a little dead-end drive towards the spectacular overlook, but it is worth the effort for sure. A close look at what strength (and patience) rivers have.
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: Driving from Mexican Hat by the shortest road to Natural Bridges N.P. one crosses a plain heading towards what seems to be a higher and higher getting wall. Suddenly the oad starts winding and at some points one things to be a snake that glides it's way vertically against this enormous rocky side. Looking back the depth increases and one feels like flying or sitting in an elevator. Further and further reaches the view. This drive is highly recommended and extremely impressive.
Fondest memory: The view from the 'wall' that we drove up against. Deep below lays the Valley of the Gods and if you experience this spectacular view that covers maybe more then a hundred miles, you know that the name is properly choosen. Standing at the edge one can imagine how an eagle sees the world when circling around on dazzling hights.
Written Oct 15, 2002
Valley of the Gods - Goosenecks - Monument Valley
Definitely worth the 17 mile trip We passed 2 cars going the opposite direction.. One on a blind curve / blind hill combination! Large (scrollable) version of the picture...
Gooseneck State Park. An Incredible Surprise!
My Goosenecks State Park Page has:
3 reviews
13 photos
1 travelogue
Mexican Hat, the Goosenecks and Valley of the Gods
Mexican Hat, you will understand why if you drive along the strangly shaped stone that is balancing on top of a rockformation. Go to the goosenecks-overlook-point to have a great impression of natures...
In 2004 I visited Capital Reef and wanted to swing down to Monument Valley. I was on Highway 95, where I aw a lot of great scenery going through the Glen Canyon area. I was aware of Gooseneck State......
Build your own Goosenecks State Park page
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