Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park is a Utah state park known for a compact valley filled with thousands of odd, mushroom-shaped sandstone formations commonly called goblins. The formations are the result of differential erosion of the region’s sandstone and are concentrated in discrete hollows and benches.

The park offers short trails and open scrambling among the formations, easy access to formed alcoves and viewpoints, and a campground for overnight stays. It is widely used for family-friendly hikes, photography and geological interest rather than long alpine routes.

The landscape formed over long periods through weathering and erosion of the Entrada sandstone; the result is dense clusters of hoodoos and pedestal rocks in sheltered basins. The area was set aside and managed as a state park to protect the unusual erosional landscape and provide visitor facilities.

Goblin Valley sits on the Colorado Plateau in central-eastern Utah near the San Rafael Swell. The park is reached by local roads off the main east-west corridors that serve this part of the state.

• Geology: The park’s hoodoos are made from softer Entrada sandstone and have eroded into thousands of bulbous, ‘goblin’ shapes concentrated in a compact valley.
• Stargazing: Stargazing is a popular activity due to low local light pollution; the valley floor and overlooks provide unobstructed night skies.

From Hanksville or Green River, follow UT-24 then local roads to Goblin Valley State Park (signposted). The park is about 75 miles from Capitol Reef National Park and roughly 170 miles from Moab. GPS coordinates and directions are on the Utah State Parks website.

• Enter early morning to avoid tour buses and to have the place almost to yourself for sunrise photos.
• Walk the short overlooks to see the tight canyon meanders from different angles - each rim reveals a distinct perspective.
• Roads are unpaved approaching some overlooks; low-clearance cars might struggle.