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Goblin Valley State Park

4.8

·4k reviews·Green River, United States

Explore a surreal landscape of thousands of mushroom-shaped hoodoos, a natural playground sculpted by millions of years of erosion.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Cooler temps, fewer crowds

CrowdLow

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Goblin Valley State Park

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Cooler temps, fewer crowds

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore a surreal landscape of thousands of mushroom-shaped hoodoos, a natural playground sculpted by millions of years of erosion. +1

4.8

(4k reviews)

"This place is like a giant natural playground! The rock scrambling, the caves, and the cliffs make it such a fun adventure. "

TIP

💧 Bring LOTS of Water!

Essential for desert exploration. Refill stations available.

🥾 Sturdy Shoes Recommended

For climbing and exploring the unique terrain.

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 3,767 reviews

Type

State Park

Address

18630 Goblin Valley Rd, Green River, UT 84525, USA

Website

stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Hoodoos

Throughout the park

Wander among thousands of bizarre, mushroom-shaped sandstone formations, sculpted by millions of years of erosion.

Goblin's Lair

Southwest corner of the valley

Discover this unique cave with a natural arch. A 2.3-mile roundtrip hike leads to this cool spot.

The Three Sisters

Near the park entrance

Iconic, towering rock formations that are a signature sight of Goblin Valley.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Heat and Crowds

Goblin Valley gets scorching hot, especially in summer. Visit during spring or fall for cooler temps. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, offering a more serene exploration of this unique landscape.

Water is Key

This desert park offers little shade and extreme heat. Bring ample water, as you'll need it for exploring among the hoodoos. There's a water refill spigot near the restrooms.

Best Times

When

Spring & Fall mornings

Why

Cooler temps, fewer crowds

Crowd

Low

When

Weekday afternoons

Why

Less busy exploration

Crowd

Medium

When

Sunrise

Why

Beautiful westward views

Crowd

Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Is this little tree ok? 🥺 I wish I knew who Edith Marsing was, but I hope I made her happy by giving her tree the last of the water we had. We were leaving Goblin Valley State Park in Utah headed back to Capitol Reef and we had to stop and read the sign… and of course try and help this little tree in the Utah desert. Does anyone know it’s story? It doesn’t look so well, hopefully it’s just the ti...

@theroadtoadventures

39.9K likes • 721K views

💧 Bring LOTS of Water!

Essential for desert exploration. Refill stations available. +1

🥾 Sturdy Shoes Recommended

For climbing and exploring the unique terrain.

Literally didn't even know I had drafts. #utah #goblinvalley #hike #Hiking #statepark #draft

@dayneperson

23.1K likes • 152.9K views

Send this to the person you want to stay here with! ✨SAVE to remember for your Utah trip! 📍Goblin Valley State Park Yurts - $150 a night - dogs allowed with fee - reservations open on a 4 month rolling basis ✨The yurts come with a: - grill - heater - electricity - water spigot - fire pit - futon - picnic table - bunk beds You need to bring your own food (and cooler) and sheets or sleeping ba...

voyageswithval

422 likes • 12K views

☀️ Sun Protection is Crucial

Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are a must.

🚗 Parking Can Fill Up

Arrive early, especially on weekends/holidays.

📍 Goblin Valley State Park, UT Dirección: 18630 Goblin Valley Rd, Green River, UT 84525 #utah #camping #acampar #roadtrip #viajero #travel #viajar #parati #viajes #goblinvalley #goblinvalleystatepark

ericksabill0n

2.9K likes • 155.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

💧 Bring LOTS of Water!

Essential for desert exploration. Refill stations available. +1

🥾 Sturdy Shoes Recommended

For climbing and exploring the unique terrain.

☀️ Sun Protection is Crucial

Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are a must.

🚗 Parking Can Fill Up

Arrive early, especially on weekends/holidays.

🏕️ Unique Yurt Stays

Book well in advance for these unique accommodations. +1

What Travellers Say

4.8

(4k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently rave about Goblin Valley State Park's unique, otherworldly landscape, calling it a 'must-see' and a 'giant natural playground.' The hoodoo formations are a major draw, offering endless opportunities for exploration and photography. However, many note that the park can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends, and the summer heat is intense, making ample water and sun protection essential. +2

"A must see place in Utah if you get the chance. The Park could expand their parking. It was at capacity at our recent visit during Memorial Day weekend so the park staff would have cars entering the park wait for a car to leave before they could enter. At capacity you could still completely avoid anyone else while down among the hoodoos if you wanted to. This place is like a giant natural playground! The rock scrambling, the caves, the cliffs, and more make it such a fun adventure to just go exploring. It was relatively cool when we went, which I was grateful for because it was still hot. We drank water like crazy. Bring water. There is a water fill spigot by the restrooms if you have a container for it. There are flush restrooms. Check out goblins lair cave if you can. Way cool."

Daniel Johnson

"Absolutely breathtaking. What an amazing experience. Must be on your bucket list. It's $10 per person. There are various trails to hike. It gets very hot so you must have a hat and take water with you. You must be very careful as some of the trails are very precarious. It was very worth the hike. Very spiritual experience. Had a great time"

Phoenix Black

"Been coming here for over 20 years and love it—it really is an amazing place. My only complaint is that everyone else discovered it too. It’s fairly vast though so there’s room for others. It’s worth it to hike across the valley and climb up the other side to look at the 360 view. If you’re able to come for sunrise, it’s a beautiful view westward. Make sure to take plenty of water as there is nothing as you get further into the hoodoos. Spring and fall is the best time to be there as it gets really hot in the summer. The Goblins Lair is great to visit, and especially to rappel, but only if you have a permit and the right equipment.

Flushing toilets, and a pavilion area for a picnic. Gets really busy on weekends, and other times school is out. Worth it to get there on a school day."

Ryan’s Recaps & Reviews

What People Like

Unique hoodoo formations

Giant natural playground

Otherworldly landscape

What People Dislike

Crowded on weekends

Intense summer heat

Limited parking capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Goblin Valley State Park is located in Emery County, Utah. From Green River, take UT-24 West for about 30 miles, then turn north onto Goblin Valley Road. The park entrance is about 8 miles down this road. +1

Goblin Valley State Park is approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Moab, Utah, making it a feasible day trip or stopover for those exploring the region.

The main valley floor is easily explorable on foot, with trails and paths winding through the hoodoos. For more adventurous exploration, consider hiking to Goblin's Lair or exploring nearby canyons.

Currently, there are no public shuttle services directly to Goblin Valley State Park. It is best accessed by private vehicle.

Yes, Goblin Valley State Park is a popular day-trip destination. You can explore the main valley and hike to Goblin's Lair within a few hours.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The entrance fee is typically $10 per person for day use. Check the official Utah State Parks website for the most current pricing.

Goblin Valley State Park is generally open year-round from dawn to dusk for day use. The campground and visitor center may have specific hours.

Reservations are not typically required for day-use entry, but the park can reach capacity, especially on weekends and holidays, leading to temporary entry restrictions.

Yes, there is a campground with basic amenities. Yurts are also available for rent and are very popular, booking up months in advance. +2

Pets are generally allowed in Goblin Valley State Park on a leash, including in the campground and yurts. +1

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Explore the unique hoodoos by hiking, scrambling, and playing among them. Hike to Goblin's Lair cave, enjoy scenic drives, and camp under the stars. +1

Yes, there are several trails, including the popular hike to Goblin's Lair (2.3 miles roundtrip). The main valley floor also offers informal paths for exploration.

Absolutely! It's often described as a giant natural playground, perfect for kids to climb and explore the unique rock formations.

While it's a desert environment, you might spot reptiles, birds, and small mammals. Keep a respectful distance and do not feed the wildlife.

Cell service can be spotty to non-existent within Goblin Valley State Park. It's advisable to download offline maps and inform someone of your travel plans.

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

There are no restaurants or food services within Goblin Valley State Park. Visitors should bring all their own food and drinks.

The nearest services are in Hanksville, about 30 miles south, which has a few diners and a grocery store. Green River is also an option, further north.

Yes, there are picnic areas available, including a pavilion. Remember to pack out all your trash.

Pack plenty of water, snacks, and meals. Consider items that don't require refrigeration if you're visiting during hot weather.

Yes, the yurts come equipped with grills, and fire pits are also available at campsites.

📸 📸 Photography

The entire park is a photographer's dream! Focus on the unique hoodoo formations, the Three Sisters, and Goblin's Lair. Sunrise and sunset offer dramatic lighting. +1

Early morning and late afternoon provide the best light for photography, with softer shadows and warmer tones. Midday sun can be harsh.

Drone usage is subject to federal regulations and park policies. Check with the park for current restrictions before flying.

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the vastness of the landscape, while a telephoto lens can isolate interesting details on the formations.

While official tours might be limited, many visitors find success exploring independently. Consider joining local photography groups for potential guided outings.