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Show Factory Butte, north of Capitol Reef, offers a splendid horizon for campers who want to avoid the crowds. Southern Utah Off the beaten path Tom Wharton lyTribune Outdoors Writer With spring almost upon us, can summer be far behind? It's not too early to start thinking about a camping vacation in southern Utah. Tribune Outdoors Writer Tom Wharton has some ideas about where to go to avoid the crowds and see some of the most spectacular scenery Utah has to offer. IT HAS BEEN a long day of driving across the hot southwestern desert. Rut the family has one goal in mind. It wants to camp at Arches National Park near Moab. As the family approaches the entrance to Arches, it is greeted by a sign which reads: Campground Full. Unfortunately, that is a sign often seen in southern Utahs five national parks and one national recreation area during the busy summer months. So, what should this family do? A check of a Utah highway map shows that Dead Horse Point State Park is 24 miles from the entrance to Arches. The family decides to do some exploring. What greets the groups tired eyes is one of the most spectacular views of southern Utahs red rock country as well as one of the areas nicest improved campgrounds. The familys disappointment turns to joy as it explores Dead Horse Point. THE VIEW from the 6,000-fooverlook is spectacular as the visitors look down on the Colorado River. ot Piles of rocks in Goblin Valley produce weird shapes and shadows at dawn and dusk, and an ideal play ground for kids. it The campground has tent pads, covered picnic tables, electric lights, a sanitary dump station, modern rest rooms with hot and cold running water and ample room to park a trailer or camper. The only thing this campground doesn't have is showers, and thats because water must be hauled in by truck from Moab. Campgrounds in southern Utahs national parks generally fill up in a hurry. And yet, there is a state park, U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management campground and scenic area that might turn a typical trip into a memorable excursion to an area near the most heavily visited spots. Capitol Reef National Park offers, perhaps, the most possibilities for side trips. Goblin Valley State Reserve, an hours drive from Capitol Reef just off Highway 24 is perhaps the most unusual of these possibilities. THIS APTLY named area features a valley of giant goblins, globs of red rocks and mud which resemble ghostlike creatures. In the late evening, when the sun is setting and the valley is full of shadows, the goblins play tricks on the imagination and provide photographers with hundreds of unusual shots. This place is fun for kids as well. They can walk among the goblins, play among the formations or sit and imagine monsters lurking behind every rock. Goblin Valley also has an excellent campground and is a fine place to spend the night if you are traveling between Capitol Reef and Arches. The Sunglow Campground in the Fishlake National Forest near Bicknell is another possibility if you find Capitol Reefs campground full. IF YOU are driving from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon National Park The Salt Lake hide-and-se- See.page4) 5, 1978 II 3 |