We’ve enjoyed the past four days camped at Goosenecks State Park in Utah, but the itch to move on has set in. With Moab a mere two hours up Highway 191, hubby and I hit the road but not before taking one final look around camp. We find ourselves doing a quick recap of our stay at Goosenecks State Park and what made our stay so enjoyable;
Socializing with our RV neighbors, Linda and Mike
Touring the Trail of the Ancients
Discovering how the town of Mexican Hat got its name
Fearlessly enjoying inclement weather and high winds camped on an open, exposed mesa
Enjoying sunrises and sunsets with a view that stretches endlessly.
It was such a positive and fun experience that Al and I feel this may just become a regular stopping point as our travels take us between Colorado and Arizona. I will add it is very remote country; perhaps some might even use the word desolate to describe it. Thus, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. However, it’s hard to dispute the beauty of the landscape.
After an uneventful scenic drive (we like uneventful), we arrived in Moab, Utah. We originally planned to stay at Ken’s Lake Campground where we stayed last fall, but changed our minds wanting to explore new territory. However, I would definitely recommend this BLM campground. There are a bunch of sites that can accommodate almost any size RV and the internet connection was relatively good.
Hum, wherever shall we stay? We found a large parking lot in Moab to park the RV while hubby and I set out in my truck….the “scout vehicle”…..and scout we did. We already knew we didn’t want to stay in any of the BLM campgrounds along Highway 128 and thus we didn’t even bother checking them out on this trip.
Hwy 128 meanders along the Colorado River in a canyon and is very scenic. However, the campgrounds are designed more for tents, pop up trailers, or small RV’s. Of course, there are always a few sites that might accommodate larger RV’s, but they first need to be available. Spring and fall are very popular times to visit Moab, Utah, and the BLM campgrounds fill up fast. Finding an open site isn’t always easy.
Most of the campgrounds along Highway 128 are very tight and almost impossible for us to maneuver our truck pulling a 31 foot 5th wheel around. That said, we skipped the BLM sites and ventured further north along U.S. 191 toward the Moab airport in search of a boondock spot. I’m looking for a home with a view! FYI…….. Moab offers a ton of RV Parks with full hook-ups and lovely accommodation’s as well as plenty of hotels.
We found a great spot about 15 miles north of town on state land with beautiful views in all directions. This is popular Jeep and ATV country so one needs to embrace dirt, dust, and the vroom, vroom of engines to fully enjoy. With amazing views and a nightly fee of nada, we were a couple of happy campers and most of the four-wheelers were rather respectful. Yep, I found my home with a view and now it’s time to explore………
Off the Beaten Path: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenic and Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting
Woodall’s RV Owner’s Handbook, 4th Edition
Discover more from Live Laugh RV
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
Pure heaven and great photos!
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Your photography and narratives could easily be used by an RV dealership to answer the question, “Why RV?” So many stunning sights.
LikeLike
Aw, thank you John for such a lovely comment. Perhaps I should do a post on the benefits of RVing…..hmmm!
LikeLike
Such a beautiful landscape, and a beautiful photo of you at Goosenecks, Ingrid! We also love Moab and have visited numerous times, but always in the fall — we learned that it’s best to go mid-October or later (Eric dubbed our late September visit a couple of years ago “The Epcot Moab Experience”). We’ll need to try a spring visit sometime!
LikeLike
Hmm, perhaps I need to go check your blog archives for “the Epcot Moab experience”. We were there at the end of Sept. last year and it seemed a lot more crowded than our April visit. But according to the ranger, this past April visitor traffic was unusually low and March was a record high. I guess one never knows the ‘perfect’ time to visit a place; all part of the adventure 🙂
LikeLike
Your photos, as always, are wonderful Ingrid. Give me desolate any day, particularly after spending so much time on the densely packed east coast. Thanks for some great tips on where to go when we head back out west. 🙂
LikeLike
Between several of you bloggers exploring the east, I have less and less desire to venture into that territory myself. Also, it’s not as if I have never been, just not in the RV. I sure don’t miss the grey skies, humidity, and inclement weather found east of the Rockies. Desolate works for me too!
LikeLike
Can’t blame you one bit! Although there is much to see and do here, it is far different than the wide-open spaces of the west, which is where my heart longs to be. 🙂
LikeLike
What a place to call home for a bit, there’s just something about the Moab area, been there twice already, hope we get back there in the next year or two.
LikeLike
We love it and we’re hoping to return regularly 🙂
LikeLike
We have been to Moab only once, years ago and when we had our Airstream! Still working back then and just taking short vacation trips. It is a beautiful area that we would like to visit again. Enjoyed seeing it through your eyes!
LikeLike
Thanks Sheila. Moab is a place we hope to return to time and again. There’s so many areas to explore and things to do. Welcome home!
LikeLike
So you are in Moab… one of my most favorite places! I am sure you will enjoy your time there. If you are able… please hike up to Delicate Arch…! All the arches are beautiful but Delicate Arch is breathtaking. Oh, and Ingrid… your photos are once again AMAZING!
LikeLike
Thanks Nancy. I’m a tad behind on my blog posts and have already moved on to Colorado but plan to make Moab a regular stopping point in our travels. So whatever I missed on this trip, I’ll catch on the next one 🙂
LikeLike
We loved Moab and can’t wait to get back there! Thanks for saving that great spot for us!
LikeLike
It was a pretty awesome spot. I’m hoping it’ll be available on our next time through as we think Moab may just become a regular stopping point for us 🙂
LikeLike
Love your photos… specially those next to the valley… that is one deep fall, so stay away from the edge…
LikeLike
No problem….this gal had no intention of sliding down that slope 🙂
LikeLike
Hopefully you are enjoying warmer weather than here in Wisconsin, What were we thinking? We are not coming back to the midwest this early again. Cold. Wet. Windy. Lost the awning in a windstorm and just found out State Farm won’t cover it because we did have the separate policy for awnings (like $7 a month). Had we been told about it, we would have had it. Oh well…live and learn. What insurance do you guys use? We’re taking a poll of our friends.
LikeLike
April in WI? Pass! We’re in western CO now and although we had some cold days they have moved on and we’re back to sunny skies and comfortable temps…..loving it 🙂
LikeLike
Utah is probably going to be one of the first of our longer trips. Can’t wait! You’re posts will be very helpful. Thanks!
LikeLike
Plan on spending a month meandering around Utah but do pay attention to elevation; temps can vary greatly. It’s an amazing state with jaw dropping scenery 🙂
LikeLike
Moab was one of our favorite stops last fall and we could have easily stayed longer – enjoy your stay in in the area.
LikeLike
It is a favorite of mine too and we’re hoping to spend more time exploring this unique landscape 🙂
LikeLike
I really enjoyed the look back, great photos of beautiful scenery!
With all the wide open spaces out west, it seem strange to hear that there are campsites too small for your fifth wheel.
LikeLike
Thanks…..If a campground was designed and built with narrow roads, tight turns, and small campsites then there just isn’t room to maneuver around trees, rocks, and other obstacles. Truck and fiver connected I’m 45′ long. And just because there seems to be wide open spaces, there are rules and regulations out west like any place else and I can’t just park anywhere I want. I have to camp in designated areas. 🙂
LikeLike
Love of your landscape shots. Beautiful. Happy that you are telling us where to park with a view when our time comes.
LikeLike
Thanks ML. I’m always happy to be located in the west this time of year. That weather back east scares me. Stay safe 🙂
LikeLike
Amazing photos. mMy favorite is the socializing on the edge. The pic draws you in. Love it!
LikeLike
Thanks Karen. That is one of the fun things about this lifestyle…. socializing with like minded folks amongst stunning scenery!
LikeLike
Oh goodness! I’d say you found the sweet spot. Woowee! What views. Looking forward to your adventures. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Angelia…..what you could do with your camera out here!!! I thinks it’s hard to take a bad photo with this kind of scenery 🙂
LikeLike
I would love it. I would want to catch the light at different times of the day for the shadows and the colors. Oh, listen, when we don’t have FOUR dogs at home, I will be traveling more often. 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, travel versus fur kids…..tough one. After the loss of Bear last year, I still struggle and miss him but the travel is definitely easier. Just another one of life’s dilemmas 🙂
LikeLike
A room with a view indeed!!!
LikeLike
That’s what it’s all about 🙂
LikeLike
I’m counting down the days. .. You’re temp home looked so kewl! Another pin in the map for me to visit. Do you have a review for Off The Beaten Path? Do you use any websites to find campgrounds? I like rvparkreviews. They seem to have been pretty spot on for our area.
LikeLike
I have a page titled “RV Resources” (just over from our “About” page) that lists a bunch of sites we use. I do own “Off the Beaten Path” but my daughter currently has it. It has some great recommendations all over the country and lovely photos.
LikeLike
Thanks! Will check out.
LikeLike
Looks like another great one. Has the wind eased yet? Broke around here yesterday and looks calm for a while.
LikeLike
The weather has been crazy lately but I think today is the turning point. Yep, we lucked out and found a sweet spot. We’d return in a heart beat 🙂
LikeLike
Glad you found a spot you liked. The view from just about everywhere in Moab and surrounding is just beautiful.
LikeLike
You are so right about views from just about anywhere. We’re thinking Moab needs to be a regular stopping point for us 🙂
LikeLike
Isn’t it great to reminisce with lovely scenic photographs?
LikeLike
Yes it is 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful Country – Safe Travels 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Renee……you’ll need to add to the list 🙂
LikeLike
I am going to do just that 🙂
LikeLike
Why did the cow cross the road? 😉 I so wish I was there! Beautiful.
LikeLike
Cute! A photographers dream 🙂
LikeLike
Like that “most” are rather respectful. Who would be crazy enough to spoil a spot like that one.
LikeLike
One would hope! I’m sure you and hubby explored most of Utah. Any favorite that you think I just have to see?
LikeLike
I’m sure things have changed quite a bit since the 80s when we did our meanders. I know the Parks were getting more crowded toward the end. I’m wondering if http://stateparks.utah.gov/park/kodachrome-basin-state-park
might still be less well known. We meandered through there with the Jeep and loved it. Otherwise I’m pretty sure you’ve hit all the more well-known spots.
LikeLike
OMG Just took a closer look at Kodachrome’s website and there are FEES now!!! Wow and sigh… 😮
LikeLike
I have my eyes on Kodachrome and Capital Reef with return visits to Cedar Breaks NM, Zion, and Bryce. Ah, to be back in the 80’s with fewer crowds, no fees, and big hair….well maybe not the big hair 🙂
LikeLike
Hubby used to drive the bus for geology field trips for what was Utah Tech back in that day. They mostly went to Canyonlands. Can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve kicked myself for letting housework and other such stuff get in the way of going along!!! In all our travels, that’s one I’ve never been to. 😦
LikeLike
PS Never did the big hair back then. 😮
LikeLike
One word for your new home spot…Gorgeous.
LikeLike
Totally agree…..stunning, beautiful, and gorgeous!
LikeLike
The views are outstanding
LikeLike
Yep, I think you guys would enjoy it very much 🙂
LikeLike
It looks like you have discovered another great boondocking spot…We have yet to try that, but hopefully we will sometime..Enjoy your great views…Now…lets get a campfire going and open a nice Merlot!
LikeLike
Boondocking can be addictive. There’s a liberating freedom you don’t get in a campground. You’ll need to give it a go sometime ….perhaps tag along with an ‘experienced’ couple 😉
LikeLike
Love the cow crossing in the middle of nowhere shot. 🙂
LikeLike
After this lone guy passed, the rest of the bunch decided to move across the road as well. Our version of rush hour traffic as we sat waiting for all to mosey across the road at a snails pace 🙂
LikeLike
Isn’t that great Ingrid? It happened a lot while cycling in Turkey between the goats, sheep and cows 🙂
LikeLike
a dream of mine – I truly hope to realise it
LikeLike
I’m sure in time. Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
LikeLike