Goblin Valley State Park Travel Guide

  The three goblins near the entrance.
by pfsmalo
 
  • The three goblins near the entrance.
      The three goblins near the entrance.
    by pfsmalo
  •   Goblin Valley State Park
    by AcornMan
  • Wild Horse butte just before the entrance gate.
      Wild Horse butte just before the...
    by pfsmalo
  • More goblins with the backdrop of Molly's castle.
      More goblins with the backdrop of...
    by pfsmalo
  • The small arch at the bottom of the main canyon.
      The small arch at the bottom of the main...
    by pfsmalo
 

Explore Goblin Valley State Park

Things to Do  

Hiking a possibility.

Hiking a possibility., Goblin Valley State Park

 pfsmalo Says:  There are, according to the State Park pamphlet, a few short hikes to undertake leaving from the well designed and very informative boards near the parking area. But, as this information booth can be seen from most everywhere it is difficult to get lost, so we just wandered... 

formation of the Goblins

formation of the Goblins, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  The goblins were formed through a series of events, some of which are easy to understand and explain while others remain somewhat a mystery. That exposed rock could be sculpted by these forces of water and wind is an idea that man can easily grasp. We have experienced this... 

the Henry Mountains

the Henry Mountains, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  As if Goblin Valley wasn 't amazing enough on its own, it has the magnificent Henry Mountains as a backdrop which are often still covered in snow for good measure. These mountains are more typical an uprising, doing some in a more deformed or irregular way compared to the... 

a matter of conjecture

a matter of conjecture, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  Huge tectonic forces raised Colorado Plateau and exposed it to the forces of erosion and due to the malleability of the resultant sandstone, incredible buttes, mesas, and oddly shaped formations were created over time. While the rising of the Colorado Plateau does a lot to... 

the mystery of the Colorado Plateau

the mystery of the Colorado Plateau, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  It takes a very particular rock to be so easily shaped and sandstone is perfect for such purposes. Sands from ancient seas, rivers and beaches were buried over time and their confinement was the birth of this marvelous meld-able stone but how it came to be exposed is perhaps... 

nice short hike opportunities

nice short hike opportunities, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  There are three short hikes in the park itself. All three could be hiked in one day quite easily but as with all photographic opportunities you have to choose where you want to be at sunset wisely. The Entrada Canyon Trail is a 1.3 mile one way hike from the campground to... 

walk in the valley

walk in the valley, Goblin Valley State Park

 orke Says:  dont just watch those rock from a far view point - go down into the valley and ull be able to walk between all of those great rocks and its really fun 

Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park, Goblin Valley State Park

 markftlaud Says:  As with a lot of southern Utah, this land is contorted and distorted, with rock formations of various shapes. 

Goblin valley

Goblin valley, Goblin Valley State Park

 markftlaud Says:  In your travels through the Canyonlands area, Goblin Valley is an easy stop. 

Hotels  

Goblin Valley State Park Campground: camping amongst goblins

Goblin Valley State Park Campground: camping amongst goblins, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  The campground at Goblin State Park is worth going to the park for in itself. We had been camping for over a month straight all through the southwest and this was the best place yet with regard to view, atmosphere, and amenities. While a day visit to Goblin State Park is... 

Transportation  

a perfect place to break up your trip

a perfect place to break up your trip, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  Goblin State Park is located right off scenic Route 24, about 90 miles and 90 minutes from Capitol Reef National Park to its southwest and another 70 miles and a little less than 90 minutes to Arches National Park to its east. The park day use fees are $7 per carload but far... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Common sense high place for small children

Common sense high place for small children, Goblin Valley State Park

 drifter1240 Says:  I was here 2 years ago 2008-many children climbing too high a hoodoo or other high areas, advised to watch your children.Only other danger, the more children you bring with you , the more difficult to advise them to leave the park-children cares less about 'scenic wonders'... 

Tourist Traps  

anti-Goblin Valley trap

anti-Goblin Valley trap, Goblin Valley State Park

 drifter1240 Says:  This questionaire has no business here. Goblin Valley IMHO is UNDER-RATED Take out the wording 'Tourist Trap' and do what you want to legally do in the fantasy land 

What to Pack  

ground control to Major Tom

ground control to Major Tom, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:  With such short trails a small day bag is sufficient to carry water and perhaps a salty snack of some kind to keep your mineral levels up in this often harsh desert environment. Sturdy hiking boots are best for desert walking. Some of the trails have tricky footing and good... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Goblin State Park, with its...

Goblin State Park, with its..., Goblin Valley State Park

 Martin_S. Says:  Goblin State Park, with its weird rock formations is usually missed by most tourists from outside the state. Everyone that I have asked did not realize that it exists, but it is a 'must see' for the otherworldly feeling you get when wandering around inside the valley. 

Favorites  

a better look at us too

a better look at us too, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:   The scenery alone would have made this walk well worth while but on heading towards Molly's Castle we noticed something moving not far ahead of us. On closer inspection, it was a lone pronghorn, out to begin his evening feeding now that the day had cooled off somewhat.... 

few greater joys

few greater joys, Goblin Valley State Park

 richiecdisc Says:   For a destination that was supposed to be mostly a place to get a shower, we were driving into an incredible landscape and that was saying a lot considering where we had spent the previous month or so. Combing the southwest deserts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah for the... 

Showers!

Showers!, Goblin Valley State Park

 blueskyjohn Says:  Showers are available last time I visited. There is a $6.00 fee to enter the park the last time I visited. 

getting lost

getting lost, Goblin Valley State Park

 blueskyjohn Says:  There is no trail in Goblin Valley. If you venture down into the Goblins, make sure you stay oriented if you do not have a compass. 

The Place

Plan a Goblin Valley State Park vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Goblin Valley State Park locals

Experience Goblin Valley State Park
  •   19 Tips and Reviews
  •  49 Photos
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Map of Goblin Valley State Park
 

The People

 
Our Members Say
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 In your travels through the Canyonlands area, Goblin Valley is an easy stop. 

 

Questions and Answers

soqueljudi profile photo

Q:  We will be heading from SLC south to Goblin Valley. Other than Hanksville what would be the nearest hotel/motel to stay in? Goblin... 

vtveen profile photo

A: Green River also has a couple of accommodations. From this little town you also could visit the Crystal Geyser: ... 

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Top Goblin Valley State Park Writers

1

Goblins & Pronghorns & Showers, Oh My!

richiecdisc profile photo

 Though only under state protection since 1964, Goblin Valley State Park was already an attraction as dubbed “Mushroom Valley” by Arthur Chaffin during his photographic shoot in 1949. His attraction to... 

2

Goblin Valley State Park.

pfsmalo profile photo

 I was looking forward to this visit as I'd been past here on 2 separate occasions and hadn't found the time to go in. Only a State Park since 1964 it is almost an "off the beaten path" in itself, as... 

3

Goblin Valley

blueskyjohn profile photo

 Goblin Valley State Park is a nice side trip. I have visited the park about six different times. Usually I stop by while driving from Moab to Capitol Reef. There are no trails but you can wonder... 

4

Goblin Valley State Park

markftlaud profile photo

 Goblin Valley is a wonderful tiny state park in the Canyonland area of Utah. This unique area gets overlooked with all the other nearby national parks. This park is only a couple of square miles and... 

5

Goblin State Park

Martin_S. profile photo

 Goblin State Park seems to be one of the missed wonders of Utah. We spent several hours there and did not meet any other people. If you happen to be there when there is a wind, then you can sit for...... 

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