We stayed in Green River, Utah so that we could have access to Moab with Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park and also go to Goblin Valley State Park.
Green River
No room at Moab — at least for us. We considered boon-docking in Moab but wanted to look the area over and get more familiar before we made that choice. So we are camping in Green River, Utah –right in the middle of the golf course. Passing through Green River several times over the years, we knew that it wasn’t going to be our favorite place to stay — but from here, we have three different destinations that we are going to target.
Goblin Valley
Green River is close enough, but not in Moab, which would have stayed in, but there was one place that we wanted to see, that Moab isn’t close to. Goblin Valley Utah State Park looks like it is on a different earth. More Red Rocks, but in the case of Goblin Valley, erosion has made them very unique. The term for the rock formations is “Hoodoos”. Hoodoos make Bryce Canyon very interesting but in Goblin Valley they are on a smaller, more personal scale. The state park calls these hoodoos – Goblins.
In Bryce Canyon, it seems that most of the activity was limited to the rim, similar to the Grand Canyon — especially for us because the trails were icy. At Goblin Valley, to appreciate the amazing features, you need to walk down among the rocks. Also, an advantage at Goblin Valley is that it isn’t as big as Bryce Canyon.
Canyonlands National Park
We drove through Moab on the way to Green River, and it was a busy place. The traffic was just passable. April is dead center in the high season for Moab. Very comfortable — not too hot – not too cold. This part of the Utah desert has a few things going for it that can’t be found anywhere else; Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, and Moab is the biggest off-road four-wheel drive destination, probably in the world. Jeeps, many with crazy modifications are found everywhere so that the owners can challenge themselves and their gear against crazy rock formations that are un-passable in any other vehicle.
Moab
Moab is also a mountain bike destination, for the same reasons the Jeep owners gather here.
Mountain bikes and other off-road vehicles are not allowed off roads, in the National Parks, but Moab has plenty of other places for them to play.
We have been going to the south end of Canyonlands National Park while staying in Wind Whistle and visited the north end of Canyonlands National park while staying in Green River. We had wanted to go to Dead Horse Canyon State Park but were too tired by the time we got there, that we just went back to Green River.
Arches National Park.
We also toured and hiked around Arches National Park. All these places are beautiful. Next time we come to Moab, I want to stay in Arches National Park, the place is stunning. Our timing was perfect, but our preparation needed improvement. Reservations at Arches are made six months prior. It will take better planning if we want to camp there.
Here is a link to the google map for the area.
Link to our 2018 Route.
Link to our route New Mexico to Salt Lake City
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Very, very cool. Never knew of this place near Green River.
to Aron: The highest concentration of natural stone arches in the world. 2000 documented. We saw about 5 this morning.
We have been to that campground in Green River. Sounds like you two are having fun. Keep us posted!
Really! Wow.
Incredible. This is exactly where I wanted to take Linda.
Will you be going through Jackson Hole and Yellowstone as you go north?
to Joel: Not this year. Idaho is next, Oregon, Washington, Idaho. Then, to come see you.
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