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We discovered Goblin State Park when we were staying at the Red Sands Hotel in Torrey, Utah. We were in Torrey visiting Capitol Reef National Park and Goblin Valley State Park was on the way to Arches National Park, which happened to be our next destination on our cross-country road trip through the US.

When we checked out of our hotel, we made our way to this quirky valley and fell in love with the unique landscape covered with sandstone goblins.

Getting There

The drive from Red Sands Hotel to Goblin State Park was pretty straightforward and only an hour and a half. We actually drove through Capitol Reef National Park which was absolutely breathtaking and made the time pass fairly fast.

We didn’t really notice any rest stops on this drive, so it’s best to fuel up and bring some snacks just in case you get hungry. When we started getting closer to the park, it really felt like we were in the middle of nowhere and far from civilization.

Geology

The park was initially named Mushroom Valley, but in 1964 Utah designated it as Goblin Valley State Park. We thought the name of the park was a catchy one but scientifically, these goblins are called hoodoos.

At first, it may seem like these were manmade, but the shape of these goblins were formed through the gradual erosion of sandstone. Seeing thousands of hoodoos spread out on a large area really gives you a sense that you are on another planet.

Fun fact: Notable science-based movies like Galaxy Quest (1999) and The Tree of Life (2011) were filmed here.

The Three Sisters is one of the most iconic goblin formations in Goblin Valley State Park

The Valley of Goblins

There is absolutely no shade, so be prepared for summer temperatures that can soar over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The valley is a free-roaming area of the park and it spans roughly three square miles.

If you only have an hour or two to spare, the valley is the best area to explore. We didn’t cover the entire premises and walked roughly a quarter of a mile.

Visitors are allowed to touch and walk on the hoodoos; however, it’s not encouraged since they may be unstable. The nearest hospital is VERY far away, so it’s definitely not the place to take risks.

We roamed around for about an hour and took a lot of fun photos with Kuma. We would have stayed a little longer, but the temperature began rising and we wanted to head out before it got too hot for us.

THe long stairs from the parking lot to the hoodoos

If you have the entire day to explore the park, we suggest reading Amanda’s complete guide to the park as she also trekked the Goblins Lair and The Three Sisters.

If you want a little more adventure, try a canyoneering adventure where you will rappel into a huge underground chamber with stunning views from every angle.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we enjoyed our stop at this state park. It’s not a drive we would solely make for this park, but we think it’s worth a visit if you are passing through. We always appreciate parks that are dog-friendly and their bathroom facilities were very clean and air-conditioned. The summer temperatures are pretty extreme, so the best time of year to visit is spring and fall.