Goblin Valley State Park

State: Utah. Type: state park in Emery County, about 12 miles north of Hanksville, within the San Rafael Desert. Size: 9,915 acres, with an additional 6,261 acres of federal land added in 2019. Officially designated a state park on August 24, 1964. Known for thousands of Entrada sandstone hoodoos ("goblins") formed roughly 170 million years ago. Featured in the 1999 film Galaxy Quest.

Goblin Valley State Park protects a surreal landscape of thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations, known locally as goblins, carved from Entrada sandstone deposited around 170 million years ago during the Jurassic period. Tucked into the San Rafael Desert north of Hanksville and south of the larger San Rafael Swell, the valley was known to Native Americans and local cowboys long before it drew wider attention; prospector and rancher Arthur Chaffin is often credited with popularizing it in the late 1920s. The state acquired the land and it became a state reserve before being officially designated a state park on August 24, 1964, later expanded with additional federal land in 2019. Unlike many formally interpreted trails, much of Goblin Valley is open for visitors to walk freely among the hoodoos, giving it a hands-on, almost otherworldly feel that has made it a popular filming location, including for the 1999 science-fiction comedy Galaxy Quest.

The park sits in Emery County, Utah, about 12 miles north of Hanksville, within the San Rafael Desert on the southeastern edge of the San Rafael Swell and north of the Henry Mountains. Utah State Route 24 passes about four miles to the east.

The park is in a high-desert environment typical of south-central Utah, with hot summers, cold winters, and low annual precipitation; visitors should be prepared for intense sun and heat in summer and cold nights in winter, as with much of the surrounding San Rafael Desert region.

Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the hoodoos on foot, avoiding the peak summer heat of this desert region. The park is open year-round, so winter visits are possible for those prepared for cold desert nights.

The area was long known to Native Americans and local cowboys before rancher and prospector Arthur Chaffin helped popularize the valley in the late 1920s. The State of Utah subsequently acquired the property, first establishing Goblin Valley State Reserve before officially designating it a state park on August 24, 1964. In 2019, an additional 6,261 acres of federal land were incorporated to expand the park's boundaries. In 2013, a hoodoo thousands of years old was deliberately toppled by visitors, an incident that resulted in criminal charges and drew national attention to the fragility of the formations.

The signature activity is walking freely among the thousands of goblin-shaped hoodoos in the main valley, an unusually open, self-directed experience compared to many parks. The park also offers hiking trails, including routes into surrounding canyons, camping, and stargazing under its dark desert skies; nearby areas support hiking and equestrian access as well.

The main Goblin Valley itself, filled with thousands of sandstone hoodoos, is the park's central attraction. Nearby Crack Canyon and other slot canyons in the surrounding San Rafael Swell/Reef area are popular side trips for visitors wanting a longer desert hike.

The park is reached via Utah State Route 24, about 12 miles north of Hanksville, with a short access road leading into the valley itself; most visitors arrive by personal or rental vehicle as part of a broader southern-Utah road trip. There is no nearby commercial airport, so a multi-hour drive from Salt Lake City or a regional airport is typical.

As of research, the park was open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round, with visitor center hours generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though these can vary seasonally. Confirm current hours at stateparks.utah.gov before visiting.

A per-vehicle day-use entrance fee applies; the exact current day-use rate for regular passenger vehicles was not confirmed from the sources checked. Camping was listed at $45 per night (which includes the park entry fee) as of research, with group overnight camping at $200 plus tax for up to 40 people, and a limited number of free primitive sites near the entrance and at the Crack Canyon Trailhead. Confirm current pricing at stateparks.utah.gov.

A visit of one to two hours is typical for walking through the main valley and photographing the hoodoos; a half day or more allows time for additional trails or a side trip into nearby canyons.

The park has a campground plus limited free primitive camping sites near the entrance and at the Crack Canyon Trailhead, including equestrian camping. Hanksville, about 12 miles south, offers a small selection of motels and other lodging for visitors who prefer not to camp.

Hanksville has a limited number of casual restaurants and convenience-style dining typical of a small desert highway town; most visitors plan meals around a stop there before or after visiting the park, since on-site dining options are minimal.

Capitol Reef National Park lies to the west and is a common pairing for visitors touring south-central Utah. The broader San Rafael Swell, including slot canyons like Crack Canyon, offers additional hiking nearby.

There is no nearby commercial airport; Salt Lake City is the nearest major air gateway, several hours away by car. A personal or rental vehicle is effectively required to reach and explore the park.

The hoodoo formations are fragile and irreversibly damaged if climbed on or toppled, as shown by a 2013 incident that led to criminal charges; treat the formations with care and avoid climbing on them. Desert heat, sun exposure and limited shade make water essential on any visit, and flash flooding is a risk in nearby slot canyons during storms. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and ample water are essential given the exposed desert terrain. Sturdy footwear is recommended for walking among the uneven rock formations, and a camera is popular for the park's distinctive landscape.

Because the main valley allows free walking among the formations, it's worth taking time to explore beyond the first viewpoint, though visitors should stay mindful of the formations' fragility. Pairing a visit with nearby Capitol Reef National Park or a hike into Crack Canyon is a common way to extend a stop in the area.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's direct line was listed as (435) 275-4584, as of research; the state reservation call center for camping can be reached at 800-322-3770.

Utah State Parks - Goblin Valley - https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.