The Major Wonders near Moab (Part 1) - Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

Remember how I said I was going to have a three-part series about the wonders of Moab? Well, I've decided to actually make this a two-part series since Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands are so close to each other they could almost be considered as one. And hence we begin this two-part series with Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point.

Canyonlands is divided into three major sections - Island in The Sky, The Needles and The Maze. The two sections we got to see (unfortunately, only a small portion of) were Island in The Sky and The Needles.

We first got our glimpse of Canyonlands when we headed towards the road leading to The Needles overlooks (these were not actually inside the boundaries of the park). Upon our arrival we were treated with spectacular panoramas that appeared as if they went out for dozens of miles. The depth was difficult to comprehend.

Shot from Sixshooter Viewpoint at The Needles overlooks.

Another view at The Needles overlooks.

We then headed up the road to a slightly more distant yet also amazing overlook - Anticline Overlook.

Anticline Overlook offers a very unique but amazing view.

Another view at Anticline Overlook.

It was very quiet here. You could only hear the wind, and a few nagging flies buzzing around. Other than that, it was pure silence. Of course, these sights were to only wet our appetite.

Later that afternoon we drove up to Island In The Sky. This would be our chance to truly experience Canyonlands. Every turnoff showcased something dramatic.

Buck Canyon Overlook.

Grand View Overlook.

This overlook did not have a name, but it was one of my favorites.

The pictures cannot even begin to capture the sheer beauty of these places. To actually experience them, you must be there.

It was getting late, so we quickly drove over to Dead Horse Point State Park, which was about 25 miles away. We arrived just in time for perhaps one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my entire life.

The way the sun fell on the canyon made the scenery absolutely splendorous. No matter where you looked, you could never escape the awe of the canyon. This was by far the best way to end the day.

Canyonlands is only a little bit further away from the other parks near Moab (the Island in The Sky entrance is about 30 miles). Island in The Sky and The Needles are the most accessible by car. The Maze, however, is made up of dirt road that requires a car with good 4 wheel drive. Dead Horse Point is a bit closer. Heading north from Moab, you will turn left onto State Highway 313. From there, you'll follow a road that leads to the north entrance of the park (leading to Island in The Sky). Dead Horse Point is accessible through Highway 313 also.

I truly wish to return to these places when I find time someday. I probably only saw about a mere fraction of the sights in these places.

Map of Canyonlands:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/upload/tripmap.pdf

More of my shots of Canyonlands:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=52619990%40N06&q=canyonlands&m=text

More of my shots of Dead Horse Point:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=52619990%40N06&q=dead+horse+point&m=text

Surrounded by Red Rock - Moab, Utah

Over my university's fall break, I was very, if not extremely privileged to make a pilgrimage to Moab, Utah and nearby parks.

After making this privilege, I became more proud of the fact that my state of Utah holds some of the most amazing places on Earth.

The tourist town is surrounded by beautiful red rock. It is almost impossible to view an angle of the town where you cannot see red rock.

Those dreaming of finding the ultimate desert paradise will have their dreams fulfilled upon their entrance to Moab.

One of the best parts about Moab is the fact that two of Utah's national parks are almost within arm's reach, and many other wonders I have never been to also lie within arm's reach.

Downtown Moab.

More of downtown Moab.

Moab's Main Street (Highway 191).

There are also many great restaurants that we got to try in Moab.

Zax Wood Fire Pizza offers a great pizza buffet, as well as a delicious salad bar, steaks, sandwiches and more. The salmon omelette breakfast I tried was also delicious. Zax had a pretty hip atmosphere.

The Moab Diner we also tried for breakfast. I liked their omelettes and it had a fairly easygoing atmosphere.

Slickrock Cafe also turned out to be pretty good. The turkey sandwich I tried was good, but the cookie desert, cooked in a manner where you could use your spoon to eat it, was killer.

The last place we tried, La Hacienda, offered excellent Mexican food. We had to wait almost an hour to get a seat, though, even though it was a Thursday night. The food was definitely worth the wait, however.

Moab is about a 4 - 5 hour drive from Salt Lake City. It is accessible from I-70, which you will turn on to State Highway 191 to reach Moab. It is only an hour and a half drive from Grand Junction, Colorado.

Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park and Arches National Park are all  less than 40 miles away. And those are only three of the "big" attractions near Moab. There is still a lot for me to see next time I visit.

But this is only an introduction of the many fantastical wonders in this area. So, I'll consider this post an introduction to a three-part series of the nearby parks mentioned.

Playground in The Desert - Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

Not everything amazing has to be in a national park. This is definitely the case with Goblin Valley, a desert playground well preserved in a state park, located in southern Utah.

Dad and I decided to make a stop here on our way to Capitol Reef, which we would be seeing the next day.

We were treated with panoramas showcasing all sorts of unique rock formations, more unique than those seen in the canyons.

Some of the odd rock formations in the park.

Here is a place that you can truly go out, bring the kids and have some fun exploring the rocks shaped like goblins. Now that I think of it, I guess that's why this place got its name.. the rocks do look like goblins.

Most national parks that I have been to forbid any disrupting of the land, but here you may explore the area freely and go wild. In a sense, you actually become a child again.

And for those who truly love this place, there are campgrounds in which you can camp, surrounded by beautifully colored rocks.

Closeup of the "goblins" inside the park.

Campground in Goblin Valley.

The park is quite accessible. From Interstate 70, turn off the road onto Highway 24. The park will be the next turn off you make.

Goblin Valley does require a $7 day use fee, paid at an entrance gate. Camping is $16.

It is situated about 50 miles from Capitol Reef National Park. The nearest towns, Green River and Hanksville, are a tad closer.