Goblin Valley State Park Utah USA

Unearthly landscapes, weirdly shaped rocks, and echoes of the past are not science fiction here in Goblin Valley State Park (Utah USA).  It is located 50 miles southwest of Green River about 12 miles off State Highway 24.   

Originally referred to as Mushroom Valley, Goblin Valley was officially designated a state park on August 24, 1964.  The park is about one mile across and two miles long (3,654 acres).  

Goblin Valley State Park is worth taking the time to visit.  It took millions of years for wind and water to create these strangely-shaped hoodoos but you can spend as much or as little time here as you wish.  

Our visit to Goblin Valley was an impromptu decision by my Hubby.  I had never seen any pictures or even heard of this State Park.  While we are driving west on Goblin Valley Road, I can't help but wonder, "What’s a goblin and what makes this State Park so special?" 

In very simplistic terms, the goblins were sculpted over millions of years by wind, water, and weathering.  It is special because no two hoodoos are alike and there are thousands of these mushroom-shaped hoodoos.  We are told the best collection is in Carmel Canyon.  

Roadside View of Goblins

These bizarre rock formations vary in size from a few feet tall to … really tall.  The landscape in Goblin Valley is said to have an “other-worldly” appearance.  That is why Goblin Valley was the perfect place for the Hollywood movie Galaxy Quest (starring Tim Allen) to film some of its scenes here.

After we pay the park entrance fee ($10), we drive the road into the park.  The road has a few pull-outs offering some nice views of the “goblins”.   

Park Road

Goblins and Molly's Castle at Sunset

The short paved road ends at a parking area.  Here you will find restrooms and picnic tables offering a view of the widest (northernmost) part of Goblin Valley. 

View from Parking Lot

From the parking lot, most people just walk a short distance around the closest part of the valley and we are no exception.  There isn't an official trail here. You just choose a direction and go wandering between the rocks. 

Walking among the Goblins

We hike along the level ground between the rock formations.  I love using my imagination to find faces and unique shapes in the rocks.  There are many monuments of massive mushroom-shaped monsters mingling mischievously in this magical kingdom called Goblin Valley.  It is a great place for photography and hiking.  BUT …while you are here, please watch the kids because they could get hurt or get disoriented among the goblins.   

A Face in the Rock

A Floppy-Eared Dog?

It is getting late (and dark) by the time we return to the parking lot.  Thankfully the nearly-full moon helps to light the landscape.  We know the direction we need to go to get back to the car because we can see the covered picnic area perched on the edge of the elevated parking lot.  We also carry headlamps for just such an emergency. 

If you have more time, Goblin Valley State Park is easy to explore.  There are three maintained paths: 
1. Carmel Canyon - A 1.5-mile moderately strenuous loop leading from the parking area to the desert floor that offers a higher concentration of hoodoos.
2.  Curtis Bench - A fairly easy 2 mile out-and-back trail offering a great view of the Henry Mountains and Goblin Valley.
3.  Entrada Canyon – This is a 2.6 mile (round trip) moderately strenuous trail starts at the campground and goes to the goblins and returns on the same trail back to the campground.   

SIDE TRIP:  Many people combine Goblin Valley with the nearby Little Wild Horse Canyon. Before driving this road or hiking the trails, please check with the Visitor Center for current information, weather, and road conditions. 

We did a little exploring of this area before we went into Goblin Valley State Park.  We drove the scenic Wild Horse Road to the Little Wild Horse/Bell Canyon parking lot.  To get to the canyon, turn off Goblin Valley Road and onto Wild Horse Road.  The road crosses several intermittent stream beds before arriving at the parking lot.

 Wild Horse Road

View along Wild Horse Road

The Little Wild Horse Canyon/Bell Canyon loop hike is the most popular hike in the San Rafael Swell.  We are told if you can only do one of the slot canyons that the Little Wild Horse Canyon is better than Bell Canyon.  The 6/10’s mile trail to the canyon entrance is an easy walk following an arroyo (“a small steep-sided watercourse or gulch with a nearly flat floor: usually dry except after heavy rains”).  Slot canyons and arroyos are two places you do not want to be when a flash flood is possible.  So be well advised and keep alert!

Trail Scenes

Trail Scenes

Once we reach the entrance to the canyon, we discover an obstacle.  We need to climb up and over a large rock in order to continue hiking the trail.  We watch several people scramble up the huge boulder (those with long legs or agile young bodies didn’t seem to have a problem overcoming this barrier). Unfortunately, I have a problem with it.  My Hubby looks for possible alternate routes around it.  

View of boulder from above

From an elevated view, the size of the boulder is deceiving.  By now I feel something unexpected …light sprinkles on my face.  Reluctantly, my Hubby agrees it might be best to return to the trail head.  During our walk back, we see the nearly-full moon rising in the late afternoon sky.  

Goblin Valley State Park does have a campground offering 24 sites, showers, flush toilets, picnic area,, restrooms, and drinking water. Even though the Park is in a somewhat remote location, it is a very popular spot especially on the weekends.  As a result, reservations are strongly recommended.

However, if camping isn’t your thing, other lodging options can be found in the towns of .Hanksville (about 32 miles from Goblin Valley SP), Caineville (about 23 miles from Goblin Valley SP), Torrey (about 67 miles from Goblin Valley SP), and Green River about 50 miles from Goblin Valley SP).  Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on food and lodging.   

For information and photos on places we visited in southern Utah, I invite you to view my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

The Burr Trail

Utah's Scenic Highway 12

Capitol Reef National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Grafton - A BOO-tiful Spot for a Ghost Town

Arches National Park

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your memorable trip to Goblin Valley State Park click on the following link:

Goblin Valley State Park