goblin valley
state Park
Explore Goblin Valley’s otherworldly landscape, featuring unique “hoodoo” sandstone rock formations (also known as “goblins”) formed by erosion over millions of years.
Home to one of the clearest, darkest night skies in the world, Goblin Valley is a popular destination for stargazers, and has been officially designated an International Dark Sky Park. As part of this designation the park makes a commitment to protecting the natural darkness by only using downlighting where it is needed for safety. Interested in exploring the night sky? The park also hosts full moon hikes, telescope viewing events,and other educational programming.
The rocks that make up the valley come from the advance and retreat of a sea during the Jurassic time period over 150 million years ago. The goblins that you see throughout the park is the result of the rock’s alternating hard and soft layers of mudstone, sandstone and siltstone. As wind and water worked its way through the canyon, the soft rock eroded faster than the hard layers, resulting in the weird and amusing features and figures.
In addition to the goblin’s that the park is named after, the area features slot canyons, cavernous formations, and boulders that offer opportunities to rappel, hike, and explore.
Most of the animals in the area (like coyotes, jackrabbits, scorpions, and kangaroo rats) are nocturnal, and only venture out in the cooler evenings to hunt or forage for food. The plants have adapted to the hot, dry valley by reducing the size of their leaves to minimize moisture loss.
The park is an open playground inviting free exploration among the goblin formations. For beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, a scenic 8-mile loop offers sweeping views of the Reef. Opportunities for ATV/OHV riding, horseback riding, camping, rappelling, stargazing, and geocaching also abound in the park and surrounding area.
If you opt to leave your basecamp at Goblin Valley, a wealth of other activities are close at hand. Hikers of all ages can explore the twists and turns Little Wild Horse Canyon, while experienced canyoneers will enjoy the challenges of Ding & Dang Canyon. Rock art enthusiasts can study the ancient petroglyphs and pictographs of the Rochester Rock Art Panel, Black Dragon Canyon, and the Head of Sinbad. Or leave the wilderness behind and head to the town of Green River for fine dining or a round of golf.
Goblin Valley has a 21-unit campground within the park with picnic tables, parking pads, barbecue grills, running water, modern restrooms, hot showers and a dumping station. To book a campsite visit the Reserve America website.
activities
services
Services are available at designated areas within the park. Visit state park website for details.
Location
From I-70, take Exit 149 and continue east for another 24 miles on highway 24. Turn west and drive another 5 miles then turn southwest and follow the road signs to your destination.
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