Hello!
My family has reservations inside the campground at Goblin Valley State Park for three nights the beginning of September. Our first visit. We are decent hikers, traveling with three children ages 7,6 and 1. I am looking forward to a slow paced vacation and relaxation while exploring the area with the time that we have there. Staying in the yurt and am excited that we won't be setting up our tent so hope for more downtime.
First Day:
Leave SLC, aim for arrival in Goblin Valley around 2pm.
Spend day exploring the park.
Do we take the time to stop off at Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry on the way down? Will it have anything new that my boys haven't seen before? We've been to Vernal to the Dinosaur National Monument and new quarry and have often visited the museums at Thanksgiving Point and Natural History Museum at UofU. Is it worth the short detour?
Second Day:
Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon
Wild Horse Window or Ding Canyon.
Third Day:
Wild Horse Window or Ding Canyon. Whichever one we didn't do day before.
Is Crack Canyon doable with kids?
Fourth Day:
Home. But by which direction? And this is where I need some advice.
Trying to decide if in the morning we should head to Capitol Reef National Park and spend the day there until we need to hit the road home (ideally about 3pm).
OR do we explore the San Rafael Swell. We spent about half a day in Capitol Reef about 3 years ago and enjoyed it. It was short and again, would only have about a half day but I know it's nice. If we were to explore the San Rafael Swell, I believe we would make our way back to I-70 via Temple Mtn Road. Is this road easily passable and safe? What attractions would make good stops? . Once we hit I-70, thinking of taking the Moore Road cutoff to route 10 and then north back home. We could either take 10 to 6 or cut over the mountain on 31. Will make that call when we decide what we are doing in regards to the Capital Reef or San Rafael dilemma.
For some reason, I am fmiding it overwhelming to research the San Rafael Swell. I am finding some interesting canyons, pictographs, etc but am finding the directions confusing. Also unsure about what's safe for kids and what's not. I certainly don't want to get stuck anywhere in a remote area with three small kids in the car. The maps that I am looking at are so tiny online that I can hardly make anything out. Where can I call or go to get a good map of these backroads? We'll likely stop at the field office in Price on the way down but I'd like something in advance. Also concerned about the conditions of the roads. Any advice or where to point me to find detailed maps and attractions? Advice on the two options? Any "hidden secret" in the Goblin Valley area we should know about?
Thank you in advance for your time! It sure helps!