Visiting Goblin Valley State Park: What to See Before You Go

When you are driving through the vast, sweeping stretches of central Utah, it is easy to get hypnotized by the horizon. But if you are navigating State Route 24 between Green River and Hanksville, there is a detour you absolutely need to take. Tucked away at the end of a long, paved spur road lies Goblin Valley State Park, a bizarre, Mars-like landscape filled with thousands of mushroom-shaped sandstone hoodoos.

Unlike many heavily regulated parks where you are confined to boardwalks and strict paths, Goblin Valley is a giant, natural playground. You are encouraged to wander freely among the rock formations. Whether you are breaking up a long drive to Capitol Reef or making a dedicated weekend trip out of it, here is what you need to know before you pull off the highway.

Quick Park Logistics

Before you adjust your route, here are the basic facts to help you plan your stop. Because of its remote location, you will want to have your logistics sorted out before you lose cell service.

Finding the Goblins: The Route

Goblin Valley is remote, which is exactly why it feels so otherworldly. If you are coming from Interstate 70, you will drop south onto State Route 24 at Green River. If you are coming from the south, you will pick up SR-24 in Hanksville.

About halfway between the two towns, you will turn west onto Temple Mountain Road. You will follow this for about five miles before turning left onto Goblin Valley Road, which dead-ends right at the park entrance. The drive itself is spectacular, cutting through the San Rafael Swell, a massive geologic upheaval that looks like a jagged reef rising out of the desert floor.

What to See: Wandering the Valleys

The main attraction at Goblin Valley is divided into three distinct “valleys.” There are a few designated hiking trails, like the Carmel Canyon Loop and the hike to Goblin’s Lair, but the real joy of this park is simply walking down from the parking lot and getting lost in the maze of hoodoos.

Valley 1

This is the closest area to the observation deck and parking lot. It is the most densely packed with “goblins” and usually has the most people. The ground is flat, making it incredibly easy to navigate. It is the perfect spot if you only have an hour to stretch your legs and take some photos.

Valley 2

If you keep walking past the initial cluster, you will naturally bleed into Valley 2. The formations here are taller, and the crowds thin out significantly. You will find narrow pathways between towering sandstone walls that feel like miniature slot canyons.

Valley 3

Tucked further back and requiring a bit of a hike across a dry wash, Valley 3 is massive. The hoodoos here are gigantic, and because of the distance from the parking lot, you can often have large stretches of this valley entirely to yourself. If you have a half-day to spend in the park, make it a point to wander this far back.

Nearby Detours for the Map

If you are already making the drive out to Goblin Valley, you are perfectly positioned to hit a few other incredible spots on the map.

• Little Wild Horse Canyon: Just a few miles past the Goblin Valley turnoff, this is one of the most accessible and family-friendly slot canyons in Utah. The narrows are tight, winding, and completely non-technical.
• Capitol Reef National Park: If you continue south on SR-24 through Hanksville and turn west, you will drive straight into Capitol Reef. It is one of Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks, but sees a fraction of the traffic of Zion or Arches.

Before You Go: The Desert Packing Checklist

Goblin Valley sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet in the high desert. There is virtually no shade in the main valleys, and the fine, powdery sand gets into everything. Use this checklist to make sure your vehicle is packed right before you leave the pavement.

Goblin Valley is the kind of place that reminds you why taking the long way is always worth it. Grab your map, fill up your tank, and go get lost among the goblins.