Goosenecks State Park

Goosenecks State Park is a nature reserve in southeastern Utah where the San Juan River has carved deep canyons with three tight meanders below the main viewpoint. The river forms entrenched loops that drop approximately 305 m (1,000 ft), creating dramatic views from above.

The meanders formed roughly 300 million years ago when the Colorado Plateau underwent uplift, forcing the river to cut deeper into the land. As the plateau rose, the river maintained its winding course rather than changing direction.

The park earned International Dark Sky designation in 2021, becoming a place where visitors come to observe stars without light pollution. This recognition highlights how the place has become important for people who want to experience the night sky as it naturally appears.

The park is accessible via Utah Route 261 north of Mexican Hat, with a parking area near the viewpoint. Visit on clear nights to best enjoy both the canyon views and the dark sky opportunities the place offers.

The river travels more than 9 km (5.6 mi) through the meandering sections while advancing only about 2 km (1.2 mi) in straight-line distance. This extreme winding demonstrates how dramatically the river twists to cut through the hard rock layers.