Community Forums

baraff · 07-18-2016, 08:19 AM

Planning a trip in September and would like to stay a couple nights at Goosenecks State Park. It is boondocking from I understand, but that's fine by us.
The site lists 8 campsites, but reviews I have read state that you can basically camp anywhere. Anyone know what the deal is there, if that is the case? We have a 28' motorhome and will be towing a Subaru.

twogypsies · 07-18-2016, 12:01 PM

The last time we were there it was 'park anywhere' with an outhouse. Since then, I've heard they re-did it slightly and added a fee but don't know what that entailed.

It's o.k. to see and perhaps drive to but I see no reason to stay there and we normally love boondocking. It's certainly not a typical state park as you might think. You can get about the same view from Page, Arizona along the highway.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9834723@N03/7993979990

JeffAZ · 07-19-2016, 12:38 AM

baraf, I plan to visit Goosenecks SP also late this summer. I've never been, but it looks like a great place to extend my cliff-decking experiences. Google Earth shows it also has some very interesting roads to take my Rzr over.

Now twogypsies, I know you liked to travel the backroads, but please don't tell me you drove the Moki dugway in your motorhome.

This is 8 miles north of Gooseneck.

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twogypsies · 07-19-2016, 01:45 PM

LOL....no, we came in from the south at Mexican Hat. The Moki Dugway was driven with the Jeep.

At the north end Natural Bridges Nat'l Monument has some nice hiking trails - using wooden ladders to get from place to place, and there's boondocking up there for big rigs. The park's campground is great for small rigs.

GC Rapidman · 07-20-2016, 06:18 PM

We stopped at the Goosenecks our last time through there. Sure the view at Page is nice, but it doesn't compare to the Goosenecks. It's definitely worth seeing.

I don't think I'd plan on spending more than a night there. It's too close to other nice places like Monument Valley or Natural Bridges or even Canyonlands that all offer so much more for your exploration time. If you go from there to Natural Bridges, take the long way, not the dugway.

Enjoy!

JeffAZ · 09-17-2016, 12:01 AM

So baraff did you make it to Goosenecks SP yet? I made it there at the end of August. It was definitely worth going, the views are spectacular. I only was able to stay 2 nights, but took my RZR and did a lot of OHV riding, I will definitely go back when I have more time. You are correct, they will let you park about anywhere you want along the dirt road. I will do a write up later about my trip for the OHVers, but here are a few photos of my campsite and my "room with a view", as I was able to drop my deck over the cliff edge and see the river 1000 feet down.

twogypsies · 09-17-2016, 10:24 AM

Here's a picture of Horseshoe Bend at Page, AZ. They are very similar, I think.

If just driving through it's worth a stop. The viewing is along the highway and there's a trail to get below.

Both are beautiful to see if you're lucky to view them when the water is blue rather than muddy. Clearer water will be in winter to perhaps April/May - before the monsoons begin. The monsoons carry lots of water from neighboring streams/washes and that's how the Colorado gets muddy.

We rafted the canyon in May and throughout the whole 9 days we had crystal clear water. Our drinking/cooking water came from that river

although it was filtered first.

Horseshoe Bend Arizona

JeffAZ · 09-17-2016, 08:19 PM

Yes, tg, I visited Horsehoe Bend a couple of years ago. It too is beautiful, but has no road access, so camping like this is not an option. You seem to have been all over North America, is there any other place that would allow cliff camping like this that you are aware of? I have heard Malibu may have some spots like this, but I would imagine paying more than the $10 nightly fee I paid at Goosenecks

twogypsies · 09-17-2016, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffAZ

is there any other place that would allow cliff camping like this that you are aware of? I have heard Malibu may have some spots like this, but I would imagine paying more than the $10 nightly fee I paid at Goosenecks

You DO like to live on the edge, don't you?

The only other 'over the edge' parks that come to mind....and we've not been there but heard about them... are Malibu RV ocean view sites @$145-$180 and Sea Perch RV in Oregon much cheaper at $85.

Oregon Coast RV Park Resort | Oceanfront Vacation Rentals by Sea Perch

We enjoy the much cheaper public parks or free boondocking! In your home state of Arizona there a dry camping area in front of Lone Rock on Lake Powell. If you park on the top level just beyond the gate house you would have a 'cliff' experience overlooking the beach and lake. We've been there a few times.

JeffAZ · 09-23-2016, 11:53 PM

Thx for the info, tg. I'll need to start a slush fund if I want to camp a couple days at that Malibu site.

I studied that Lone Rock site at Lake Powell on Google Earth, looks very interesting. Looks like you could also camp on the beach there. I have lived in AZ for 26 years and have never spent any time at Lake Powell. I will try and remedy that oversight sometime.