Goblin Valley is one of Utah’s most unique state parks. The landscape is dotted with squat hoodoos resembling goblins that were sculpted millions of years ago by the forces of nature. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know for your first visit to Goblin Valley!
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First Time Guide to Utah’s Goblin Valley State Park
Table of Contents
- Goblin Valley visitor information
- The best time to visit Goblin Valley
- The best places to stay at Goblin Valley
- Best things to do at Goblin Valley
- FAQ:
Goblin Valley visitor information
- Location: Goblin Valley State Park is located on the southern end of the San Rafael Swell off State Highway 24 about 50 miles southwest of Green River. The road is paved the entire way and suitable for all vehicles.
- Fees: The cost to visit Goblin Valley State Park is $20 per vehicle during the week and $25 on weekends and holidays. The pass is valid until 10 pm the following day
- Hours: The park is open year-round from 6 am to 10 pm. Quiet hours at the campground are from 10 pm to 7 am, and generator hours are from 8 am to 10 pm.
- Fires: Campfires are permitted in designated campground fire rings. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center. Fireworks are prohibited.
- Pets: Pets are welcome at Goblin Valley State Park, but must be kept on a leash and cleaned up after.
- Drones: Drones are allowed at Goblin Valley State Park but you must purchase a permit for $10. Forms can be printed and filled out in advance and brought to the visitor center located at the entrance to the park.
- Cell reception: There is virtually no cell reception inside Goblin Valley State Park so plan accordingly.
The best time to visit Goblin Valley
The best time to visit Goblin Valley State Park is in the late spring or early fall.
In the summer, the temperatures can soar over 100 degrees. The monsoon season also occurs in the late summer with a risk of flash flooding and lightning strikes.
In the winter, the temperature can dip below freezing at night and the valley even sees occasional snowfall.
The high desert can be unpredictable, so be sure to check for weather conditions before visiting.
You will also want to avoid visiting on the weekends during holidays and the peak season.
The park is relatively small with limited parking so the wait time to enter the park can often stretch over an hour. If at all possible, try to visit during the week or in the off-season.
The best places to stay at Goblin Valley
Goblin Valley is located in Utah’s remote southeastern desert. The nearest town is Hanksville, an old mining community with a population of about 200.
There are limited accommodations in Hanksville, the best option is the Whispering Sands Motel.
However, for the best experience, I would highly recommend camping at Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley Camping
The campground at Goblin Valley is located within the park just down the road from Valley of the Goblins.
It features 24 campsites with sheltered picnic areas, fire rings, a grill, and centrally located restroom and shower facilities.
There are 12 sites that accommodate RVs, 11 tent-only sites, and one group site that can be reserved for up to 40 people. Up to 8 people are allowed per campsite, except at the group site.
The rate is $45 per night for regular campsites and $200 for the group site. There are no electrical hookups at any of the sites.
Campsites book up quickly, particularly during peak season in the summer, so be sure to make reservations early.
The campground is open year-round and reservations can be made up to four months in advance.
Each campsite permit covers only one vehicle and an attached recreational vehicle. There is a $20 charge per additional vehicle.
Goblin Valley Yurts
If you are lucky enough to snag a yurt at Goblin Valley, then you are in for a treat! You’ll be able to experience glamping in one of the most beautiful pockets of the state.
There are only two yurts available at Goblin Valley and they book up quickly. The dates are released four months in advance, so I would recommend making reservations as early as possible.
The yurts are located adjacent to the campground and have their own shared bathroom, but you’ll need to use the shower facilities located at the campground.
I would highly recommend reserving Yurt 1 if it is available at the time of booking. The location of this yurt is more scenic as it is tucked into the base of the colorful sandstone cliffs.
Yurt 2 is located nearby but it’s just steps from the road and not quite as private.
The yurts are surprisingly spacious and can sleep up to 5 people. You’ll find a futon that sleeps two, and a bunk bed with a single bed on top and a double bed on the bottom.
Each yurt is also outfitted with a kitchen table, swamp cooler, heater, electrical outlets, an outdoor propane grill, a campfire ring, and a picnic table.
Linens are not provided so be sure to bring your own bedding and towels.
Please note that only one vehicle is allowed per unit, there is a $20 charge for additional vehicles. Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out is at noon.
The nightly rate for the yurts is $150 + tax. The yurts are dog friendly, but there is an additional charge of $20 per dog with a maximum of two dogs.
If you’re looking for more unique places to stay in Utah, check out The View Cabins at Monument Valley or Whispering Pines Glamping!
Best things to do at Goblin Valley
Wander through the Valley of the Goblins
The Valley of the Goblins is the main attraction at Goblin Valley.
It encompasses nearly three square miles and is filled with stunted hoodoos and unworldly rock formations.
If you feel like you’ve stepped foot on another planet, then you’re not alone. The 1999 sci-fi movie, Galaxy Quest was actually filmed here.
The valley is easy to access. Shortly after you pass the entrance to the park, the road will come to a fork.
Take a left and the road will dead end at a parking lot and observation point where you can look out over the Valley of the Goblins.
You’ll also find stairs leading down to the base of the valley. There are no designated trails, but visitors are free to roam and explore.
While it is not against the rules to climb on the rocks and formations, the park brochure reminds visitors to “be mindful not to climb on the more fragile hoodoos”.
The goblins were formed by gradual erosion during the Jurassic period and consist of interbedded sandstone with layers of siltstone, shale, and Entrada sandstone.
These layers are quite fragile and can easily crumble, so be respectful and help protect these natural formations.
For the best view at golden hour, I would recommend walking from the parking lot straight ahead to the base of the towering red sandstone cliffs.
From this angle, the setting sun illuminates the hoodoos and casts long enchanting shadows across the valley floor.
Explore the Goblin Valley hiking trails
In addition to the Valley of the Goblins where you can freely explore, there are four other designated hiking trails in Goblin Valley.
Just be sure to pack plenty of water and avoid hiking during the heat of the day in the summer. The trails are exposed without any shade and temperatures can reach 100 degrees in the summer.
I would highly recommend upgrading to All Trails Pro if you are planning to hike in Goblin Valley.
There is no cell reception and the pro feature allows you to download the maps that can be used in real-time and will notify you if you are off trail.
Also, beware of flash floods during monsoon season and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes on the trails.
- Goblin’s Lair: This moderately strenuous 3-mile out-and-back trail follows along Carmel Canyon before splitting off after about a half mile. The trail includes rock scrambling and climbing before ending at an underground cavern that can best be explored with a canyoneering tour. On the tour, you’ll be able to rappel down into a massive underground chamber known as the Goblin’s Lair.
- Carmel Canyon: This trail consists of a 1.5-mile moderately strenuous loop. The trail can be accessed from the Valley of the Goblins parking lot and follows along the desert floor just north of the valley.
- Curtis Bench: An easy 2.1-mile out-and-back trail with views of Goblin Valley and the Henry Mountains.
- Entrada Canyon: A moderate 2.6-mile out and back trail that leads along a natural drainage from the campground to the Valley of the Goblins.
Go Star Gazing
Goblin Valley is a certified Dark Sky Park. The National Park Service’s Night Sky Team even declared that Goblin Valley has one of the darkest night skies on earth.
The park’s remote location keeps it virtually free from any light pollution, affording you unparalleled views of the silky folds of the glistening Milky Way.
If you have a DSLR camera, be sure to bring a tripod to capture the brilliant night sky, or use the long exposure setting on your phone.
The park closes at 10 pm to day visitors, so the best way to fully experience the night sky is by booking an overnight campsite or yurt.
It truly is a magical experience to sleep under the twinkling canvas of the night sky.
Ranger led moonlit hikes and telescope tours are also held throughout the year, check the website for upcoming events.
Hike the nearby Little Wild Horse slot canyon
Little Wild Horse Canyon is located only 6 miles from the Goblin Valley visitor center.
It is free to visit and makes for a great stop on your way out of the park.
The easy 3-mile roundtrip trail is well marked and begins at an open wash.
After about a half mile you’ll reach the entrance to the slot canyon.
As you reach the one-mile mark, the walls become more narrow.
The canyon then alternates between a shallow open trail and a narrow slot with imposing canyon walls.
Despite being in a slot canyon, much of the trail is still exposed to the sun so be sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water.
If you have time, you may want to consider combining the Bell Canyon Trail for an 8-mile roundtrip hike.
Visit the Hanksville area
Hanksville is located about a half-hour south of Goblin Valley. This is the nearest town to get food and gas.
You can pick up groceries at the small Bull Mountain Market, or grab a bite to eat at Duke’s Slickrock Grill. The juicy burgers are huge, and the cornbread is the best you’ll ever have.
Be sure to gas up at the Hollow Mountain gas station, it’s a tourist attraction in and of itself!
Rumor has it that in 1984, work began to blast through this massive rock in order to make room for a gas station.
They decided that instead of removing the rock completely, it would be easier and more cost-effective to just build the gas station into the hollowed-out section of rock.
And that is how Hollow Mountain gas station came to be. You can even see part of the exposed rock wall inside the gas station near the restrooms.
If you have time while in Hanksville, take the primitive dirt road out to the Mars Desert Research Station. This private facility is the largest and longest-running Mars surface research facility in the world.
Surrounding the research station is the unworldly beauty of the purple mountains.
A few other points of interest near Hanksville include Factory Butte, Swing Arm City, Moonscape Overlook, and the Long Dong Silver rock formation.
Hanksville is also the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park. If you plan to visit this park, be sure to check out our First Time Guide to Capitol Reef for travel information and recommendations.
Goblin Valley is also near Moab if you are looking for a Moab travel guide.
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FAQ:
- What is Goblin Valley known for? Goblin Valley is known for its curious stunted hoodoos that resemble a valley of little gnomes or goblins. Before it was called Goblin Valley, it was known as Mushroom Valley. Goblin Valley is also known as a dark sky reserve with one of the darkest skies on earth.
- Can you fly a drone at Goblin Valley? Yes, you can fly a drone at Goblin Valley but first, you must fill out a form and purchase a $10 permit.
- Can you climb the hoodoos at Goblin Valley? While there are no posted signs prohibiting climbing on the hoodoos, the park brochure reminds visitors to “be mindful not to climb on the more fragile hoodoos or disturb and cryptobiotic soil or plants”.
- Can I bring my dog to Goblin Valley? Yes, dogs are allowed in Goblin Valley but pets must be kept on a leash and cleaned up after.
- Is Goblin Valley open year-round? Goblin Valley is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and fall.
- What town is close to Goblin Valley? Hanksville is the nearest town to Goblin Valley and is located about 32 miles south.
- What movies were filmed in Goblin Valley? Eleven movies were filmed in Goblin Valley. The most popular ones are Galaxy Quest and City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold.
I hope this guide has helped you better prepare and know what to expect for your first trip to Goblin Valley!
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