Driving from Capitol Reef National Park to Goblin Valley - Scenery

Scenery outside of Capitol Reef National Park

After spending two days in a variety of Utah scenery from the aspen tree groves near Boulder, Utah, to the red rock of Kodachrome Basin and Capitol Reef, it shouldn't have been surprising to me to see yet another change in the Utah landscape.  This stark gray rock formation stood out like a sentinel near the roadway.  We passed a stretch that looked like an eerie lunar landscape.  The scenery continued to change as we drove to Hanksville, and turned north to Goblin Valley.

Rock formations in southern Utah

There is a joke in Utah that if you don't like the weather, you can wait a few minutes and it will change.  This is true only during rainstorms, which usually don't last long in this desert state.  However, the statement is pretty accurate when applied to scenery.  If you don't like the view, drive a little way and it will change!

Butte overlooking a field.

We didn't make any stops on this drive, so I got to practice my photography out the window skills again!  It is always gratifying when a photo turns out taken from the passenger side of a moving vehicle.

Nearing Goblin Valley

As we drove, the gray landscape gave way to fields and buttes, which in turn gave way to long flat stretches of sand and brush, interspersed with red rock formations as we neared Goblin Valley.  This section of Utah from Tropic to Goblin Valley is incredibly beautiful, and does not have the crowds that flock to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.  If you get the chance to take this drive, there is plenty to see and do along the way!