Out of Loa and the Snuggle Inn, we proceeded back along UT 24 through Capitol Reef, took a left turn at Hanksville, and spent a morning exploring the remarkable hoodoo landscape of Goblin Valley State Park (UT). The ability to roam freely though the otherworldly hoodoos is a treat—and an invitation to take way more photos than you’ll probably ever need. Or pick and publish. Here are a few, but check the Photo Archive page for more.

After a nice picnic lunch overlooking the hoodoos, we headed on toward Moab with a brief stop in Deadhorse Point State Park (UT) to gaze 2,000 feet down into Canyonlands NP and the Colorado River as it slices its way through the landscape. Gorgeous, pun intended.

Last stop of the day was a late afternoon introduction to Arches National Park. We had a 3:00pm entry time but were able to get in by about 4:30. Arches is crowded. We were treated to a dramatic scene of two climbers ascending and descending a tower and later took a hike around and through some of the fantastical arches that give the park its name. Here are some photos, but we have two more opportunities today and tomorrow morning for more exploration.