Recapture Pocket

This is a little-known but interesting location just a few minutes east of Bluff, that is full of goblins and hoodoos slightly reminiscent of Goblin Valley State Park.

There are three main groups of formations relatively close to each other. Half the fun is exploring the area to see what you can find. I asked more than one local what the name referred to, but so far I didn’t have any luck finding anyone who knew.

Note

Approaching sunset the hoodoo areas are in shadow early because of the buttes directly to the west of the area that is going to block the sun, get there a couple of hours before sunset. Sunrise shouldn’t have any issues.
Dogs okay

Getting there

From Bluff, take UT-162 east for 4.9 miles and turn left on an unmarked gravel road ( 37.298293, -109.465708 ).
Drive 1 mile and make a left (west) at the junction with (Trading post road) Country Road 217 ( 37.311256, -109.461199 ).
Continue 0.5 miles and take the next right (north) onto unmarked Bluff Bench Road for 0.8 miles and continue left at the fork, continuing 0.3 miles to reach the first group of formations.
The second group is located another 0.3 miles further.
To reach the third group, return to the fork and take it left (north) for 0.9 miles and turn right just past the slickrock patch and storage tanks for another 0.3 miles.

Explore Nearby...

Hikes...

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Butler Wash Ruins

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Lower Butler Wash Road - Hikes

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Monarch Cave

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Wolfman Panel

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Fishmouth Cave

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Split Level Ruin

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Goosenecks State Park ...

How to photograph the San Juan River’s double Goosenecks at Utah’s Goosenecks State Park

The park’s viewpoint overlooks the meander of two giant bends (goosenecks) of the San Juan River. Geologists consider this part of the river to be one of the finest examples of “entrenched meanders” anywhere in the world.

Scenic Drives...

Arch Canyon Overlook

Sit 400 feet above Arch Canyon and enjoy a great sunset