San Rafael

Why should it be a National Park?

Utah famously has the "mighty five" National Parks of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches that extend across the southern half of the state. However, the San Rafael Swell, a large geologic area in central Utah, should be added to the National Park Service as a sixth National Park to better represent the world-class scenery that the state has to offer.

The San Rafael Swell's continuous ridges, buttes, slot canyons, painted deserts, ruins, canyons, arches, and rock towers play like the greatest hits of the Colorado Plateau. The natural diversity is paired with a rainbow of colors that reflect the complex and detailed history of geologic ages. The colors of sandstone can shift from red to orange to yellow with the painted desert areas showcasing purples, blues, and whites. Because of the varied landscape, people do not recognize this region of differing characteristics as telling a unified geological story.

A few spots in San Rafael do receive notoriety because of just how unique they are, even within the greater diversity of the region. Goblin Valley is perhaps the most renowned. This 3,654 acre state park protects a valley of mushroom-shaped rock hoodoos and other formations. Its otherworldly appearance has made it a popular filming location for movies, such as 'Galaxy Quest' and 'The Tree of Life'.

Another section well-known to adventurers, but virtually unknown to the public-at-large, is a canyon system with the nickname the "Little Grand Canyon". This canyon could be the centerpiece of any National Park, however, the isolation of the best viewpoints leaves it off most maps. The best place to visit the canyon is the Wedge Overlook, which lies at the end of a difficult to find dirt road. Arriving here for the first time makes you feel like you joined a western expedition in the days before western expansion.

In addition to the impressive rock arches and strange natural features, native ruins and rock art can be found throughout the region. Many are easily accessible from Interstate 70, the only major highway that passes through the desert. Guidebooks and websites can guide travelers to singular natural vistas, but without the larger narrative of the San Rafael Swell you miss out on the cohesive natural story of the environment.

The San Rafael Swell has been considered for virtually every level of conservation in the federal government. In the 1980s, studies were conducted to see if the region was worthy of becoming a National Park. The rural and conservative nature of the region often means these proposals fall flat.