San Rafael Swell Country
Goblin Valley, Wasatch Plateau and much more...

Far away from the crowds, the cities, the pollution and the noise, distant even from civilized national parks and guidebook photo spots, there's a countryside where little has changed since humans first walked the Earth. Millions zoom past it on the interstate every year, but few know where it is. Ask a local nicely, and he might just let you in on Utah's best kept secret: the San Rafael Swell.

Unexploited and untamed, the Swell is an awesome upthrust of sandstone buttes, roughhewn arches, and solitary canyons. The eagles still soar here, cowboys still work the fields, and cell phones are about as useful as rocks. Peppered by the occasional backpacker, bike, or unassuming town, the red cliffs stand stoic against the changing times.

Travelers here find a rich selection of landscapes. The twisted hoodoos of Goblin Valley call out to the imagination and beg to be explored. Rippled dunes set the stage for a thrilling rush on a jeep or ATV. Others find solace in the forested uplands of the Wasatch Plateau, hiking windswept trails or fishing in an icy stream. When the sun goes down, set up the tent or lodge at a cozy bed and breakfast and watch the stars come out in a jet black sky.

You can discover the magic of Emery County below. To order a free full-color pamphlet with all the information you'll need, select the Request Free Visitors Guide link below.

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Goblin Valley - Tucked between the hills is this strange little valley filled with thousands of whimsical rock formations. To some they look like mushrooms, or the shavings from a giant's workbench, but whoever named the place saw impish faces hiding in the rocks - and when the light's just right, so might you.

San Rafael Swell - These stark slopes of red cliffs and rugged uplands are a joy for backpackers, mountain bikes, four-wheel drive vehicles, and, in the summer, whitewater rafters. The San Rafael River slices through the uplands to form the "Little Grand Canyon," an apt name for its impressive course through the redrock.

Wasatch Plateau - Covering over a thousand square miles of central Utah, the Wasatch Plateau's eastern flanks descend into the Emery County area from lofty heights of 10,000 feet or more. Fishing, scenic drives, camping, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle use are all enjoyed in this cooler, greener area.

Dinosaur Quarry - The Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry has excavated thousand of bones, eggs, and complete skeletons from the chalky dirt here. Visitors can view displays and see exposed bones in the quarry, still giving up its secrets.

Click here to view details on self-guided driving tours.

Green River sits at the foot of the Book Cliffs and the junction of I-70 and the Green River. Raft trips on this mighty stream are a popular draw, as is a museum on explorer John Wesley Powell.

Castle Dale sits at the base of a natural fortress of stone, providing a rugged skyline for the town. The largest community in the area, Castle Dale provides access to the Wasatch Plateau and Highway 10.

Huntington is up the road from Castle Dale on the way to Price, and provides gas, groceries, and lodging to travelers.

For lodging information, CLICK HERE.

Click here for a calendar of upcoming events in the Emery County area.

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