Goosenecks State Park
Encyclopedia
Goosenecks State Park is a state park
of Utah
, USA, overlooking a deep meander
of the San Juan River. The park is located near the southern border of the state a short distance from Mexican Hat, Utah
. Millions of years ago, the Monument Upwarp forced the river to carve incised meanders over 1000 feet (304.8 m) deep as the surrounding landscape slowly rose in elevation. Eroded by water, wind, frost, and gravity, this is a classic location for observing incised meanders.
Goosenecks State Park is largely undeveloped. Primitive campsite
s with picnic tables are scattered back from the edge of the cliff, and vault toilets are available. Campers are advised to bring their own water, food, and other necessary gear.
There are no developed hiking trails in the park, but the Honaker Trail
, a few miles to the northwest, provides access to the San Juan River.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
of Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, USA, overlooking a deep meander
Meander
A meander in general is a bend in a sinuous watercourse. A meander is formed when the moving water in a stream erodes the outer banks and widens its valley. A stream of any volume may assume a meandering course, alternately eroding sediments from the outside of a bend and depositing them on the...
of the San Juan River. The park is located near the southern border of the state a short distance from Mexican Hat, Utah
Mexican Hat, Utah
Mexican Hat is a census-designated place on the San Juan River in south-central San Juan County, Utah, United States. Each year, on March 8 the town members meet to celebrate their CDP status. Town members wear hats, as the celebration takes place at the Mexican Hat Rock. It is on U.S...
. Millions of years ago, the Monument Upwarp forced the river to carve incised meanders over 1000 feet (304.8 m) deep as the surrounding landscape slowly rose in elevation. Eroded by water, wind, frost, and gravity, this is a classic location for observing incised meanders.
Goosenecks State Park is largely undeveloped. Primitive campsite
Campsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
s with picnic tables are scattered back from the edge of the cliff, and vault toilets are available. Campers are advised to bring their own water, food, and other necessary gear.
There are no developed hiking trails in the park, but the Honaker Trail
Honaker Trail
The Honaker Trail is a hiking trail located near Goosenecks State Park in southeastern Utah. Built in the late 1890s and early 1900s as a supply route for gold prospectors, the trail connects the deeply entrenched San Juan River with the canyon rim over above. Popular with geologists, the trail...
, a few miles to the northwest, provides access to the San Juan River.