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Geology

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Mule Deer lack the digestive juices of omnivores or carnivores, and rely on enzymes present in green plant material to digest their food. Feeding deer picnic fare causes hyper-enlargement of their pancreas, and can result in death. Please do not feed wildlife!

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Explore This Park

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Geology

Geology

Bentonite Hills

Goosenecks Overlook

The Castle

The Castle and Sulphur Creek

View of Fruita and Wingate Cliffs

Waterpocket Fold

Solution pockets are shallow holes in cliffs that form when water erosion removes weakly cemented sand grains.

The Bentonite Hills were formed during the Morrison Formation. Altered volcanic ash erodes to form a "popcorn" surface.

Sandstone knobs found along the Frying Pan Trail

Water Solution Erosion

Biological soil crust is common in arid environments and composed of living organisms including cyanobacteria, mosses, and lichens. Biological soil crust is highly sensitive and visitors should use care to avoid stepping on the crust.

Clay minerals with oxides of iron and manganese leave shades of black and brown on rock walls called desert varnish.

Petrified wood is a type of fossil formed when buried wood is mineralized.

Oyster Shell Reef (Dakota Sandstone Formation)

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