Road Trip: Goblin Valley

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Canyonlands is an amazing place and I've hardly started to explore it, but it's not exactly dog friendly.  That's the case for most national parks.  The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the great exception.  Dogs can walk pretty much the entire rim there.  So, as much as I would have liked to spend more time there, I wanted to get to a place where Pongo and I could move around with a little more freedom.  The nice thing about Utah is that their state parks allow leashed dog to go pretty much anyplace people can go.  With that in mind, we left Canyonlands early in the morning to get a campsite at Goblin Valley State Park.

Canyonlands National Park, UT

We took a spin around the short scenic drive on our way out of The Needles.  Unfortunately, we were cursed with clear blue skies that lasted most of the day.  Stupid nice weather.  There's nothing worse when taking photos.

Canyonlands National Park, UT

We were able to snag the next-to-last available campsite at Goblin Valley.  Pongo was very tired, so after I set up the tent we just chilled out for a few hours.  Then we made the short drive to Little Wild Horse Canyon to explore the slot canyon.

San Rafael Swell, UT

When we got to the canyon we discovered that large puddles blocked the entry.  We could have gone in, but with both a camera and a dog in tow and assuming even more pools would follow, I thought it might not be the best idea I've ever had to continue.

Little Wild Horse Canyon, San Rafael Swell, UT

We went back to Goblin Valley, which is one of Pongo's favorite spots to visit.  He loves poking his head around the goblins.  He hopes to surprise unsuspecting lizards, I suppose, and there are a lot of lizards to be seen.

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT