Goblin Valley State Park

We featured Goblin Valley in a recent newsletter. Read it here. Here's a video clip showing the park.

No trip to Utah's Castle Country would be complete without a visit to Goblin Valley State Park. Wind and water have carved fantastic and unique goblin-like sculptures out of rock, creating an outdoor playground that inspires the imagination. Numerous rocks and coves offer unlimited walking, exploring, or hiking opportunities. It is well worth the time to hike through the area for a few hours, to enjoy the desert beauty and fascinating comical goblin forms that you find here. Along the way, there are fine views of the San Rafael Reef and the Henry Mountains.

The park is a photographer's paradise. Near the park area, history buffs can discover rock art left by ancient Indians and ruins left by early prospectors, miners, and ranchers. There are also great slot canyons for adventuresome hikers. Prior to entering the park, there are excellent off-highway vehicle and biking routes to explore. (ATV's and biking are not allowed inside the park).

Secluded Goblin Valley was first discovered by cowboys searching for cattle. Then, in the late 1920's, Arthur Chaffin, owner/operator of the Hite Ferry on the Colorado River, and two companions were searching for an alternate route between Green River and Cainsville. They came to a vantage point about a mile west of Goblin Valley and were awed by what they saw - five buttes and a valley of strange-shaped rock formations surrounded by a wall of eroded cliffs.

In 1949, Chaffin returned to the area he called Mushroom Valley. He spent several days exploring the mysterious valley and photographing its scores of intricately eroded goblins. Publicity attracted visitors to the valley despite its remoteness. In 1954, it was proposed that Goblin Valley be protected from vandalism. The state of Utah later acquired the property and established Goblin Valley State Reserve. It was officially designated a sate park on August 24, 1964.

Goblin Valley State Park is located in Emery County between the towns of Green River and Hanksville. From Green River, travel west on I-70 for 12 miles to exit 147 (Hanksville) and head south. After about 30 miles turn right at the Temple Mountain/Goblin Valley Junction. The entire road leading into the park is surfaced and improved. Travel west on that road for about 5 miles and then turn left (south) and continue to the park entrance. Goblins of infinite design will greet you.

Facilities at the 3.654 acre park include a 25 unit campground with sites that can accommodate large motor homes, interior paved roads, observation overlook, a new culinary water system, modern rest rooms, hot water showers, and a sanitary dump station. Each spacious campsite has a picnic table, paved parking pad and barbecue grill.

Option: For extended enjoyment, hike the Little Wild Horse/Bell Canyon loop. The trailhead is about 5 miles down a dirt road from Goblin Valley. This slot canyon is one of the most famous in Utah and is well worth a day hike. The narrows are long and tight, in several places only shoulder width. There is a parking area and outhouse at the trailhead, but no water. But avoid this hike if rain threatens. Flash flood danger is extreme in slot canyons when there is rain anywhere in the drainage!

State park fees: Day-use $7; Camping $16