Goblin valley state park allows visitors to explore and meander among the goblins. The campsites are divided into ten walkin tent pads, fourteen rv spaces, and one group site able to accommodate up to 35 people. Goblin valley includes an area where soft sandstone has eroded into interesting shapes, somewhat resembling goblins. State recreation area flight park state recreation area 8015335127 121100 n east frontage road draper, ut 84020 flight park is known worldwide as one of the best training sites for both paragliding and hang gliding. Add a touch of film history to your utah itinerary, or. Visitors can wander offtrail to explore the geology and hike among the nooks and gnomes. This strange and colorful landscape is filled with bizarre sandstone rock formations called goblins. This park encompases a large number of rock hoodoos ranging in. Goblin valley state park utahs hidden byways v when i think of some of the most bizarre, totally unworldly, places in utah that i have visited, i think of goblin valley state park. This remote but very popular campground is a great base for exploring the goblins and the nearby san rafael swell. Find some serenity with mother nature at goblin valley state park. Yester castle also known as goblin hall east lothian, scotland. Scores of intricately eroded creatures greet visitors to goblin valley. Goblin valley state park 18630 goblin valley road, green river, utah 84525 rated 4.
The distinct shapes of these rocks result from an erosionresistant layer of rock atop relatively softer sandstone. Erosion has left behind sandstone hoodoos and there are thousands of these rock formations in the park. Goblin valley state park 2018 annual report general current contact. Here are the best things to do in and around the park. Goblin valley state park guide to the san rafael swell. Entrada goblins and hoodoos from the main parking lot on the right side of the road just past the entrance to goblin valley state park.
Goblin valley state park is a must see destination in the san rafael swell. If you are into hiking, theres just not much to do except one loop trail which is mostly outside of the valley and pretty much just on flat fields. The wild horse trail system sits on a small mesa west of and above the campground, with wild horse butte looming above the trails to the north. Permit blackouts may occur during special events, emergencies, and periods of especially high visitation. Goblin valley state park green river all you need to know. The current order for the region, along with any updates, can be found at the link below scroll down to the pdf see more goblin valley state park april 15 at 8. He uses the specific example of vandalism in utahs. Apr 18, 2009 located just a few miles north of goblin valley state park this is a blm lot which amounts to just a big gravel parking lot.
Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Goblin valley state park utah one gigantic playground. For those wishing for a closer look, an unmarked but easytofollow trail does exist. The visitor center was nice, informative staff, cool items for purchase. Apr 20, 2018 april 2018 goblin valley state park in utah is a filled with exotic red rock formations known as hoodoos that look for all the world like little people, martians and goblins, and it is a favorite with kids and families because it is one gigantic playground. We did find verizon cell service while mountain biking in the park when we were on the highest points. This road climbed steeply from about 5200 feet elevation on the. Best trails in goblin valley state park utah alltrails. All of these unique and enchanting rock sculptures have been carved by centuries of abrasion by wind and water.
The current order for the region, along with any updates, can be found at the link below scroll down to the pdf see more. Goblin valley state park emery county, utah geologic map geology modified from orkid, 1953 q je jc js jm 0 1 km 0 0. Stories are etched into the walls of the state s red canyons, in the journals of its early explorers and in the hearts of the locals and travelers as they road trip and recreate. To order a free travel planner for this area, see san rafael swell country. Plan your trip utah state park locations full park. From the states beautiful geologic structures to its snowcapped mountains, there is much to explore. Goblin valley state park is a state park of utah, in the united states. Follow highway 24 to temple mountain junction mile post 6, and. Goblin valley state park was one of my favorite places we visited while in utah.
Goblin valley state park green river 2020 all you need to. With its fascinating sandstone formations, wideopen desert spaces, and exciting nearby activities, the opportunities at goblin valley are endless. In 1949, chaffin returned to the area he called mushroom valley. The park is also noted for several walls of petroglyphs and pictographs, ancient evidence of fremont, paiute and other native american residents. This page was last edited on 9 january 2018, at 08. This park encompases a large number of rock hoodoos ranging in size from meters tall.
Wild horse mountain bike trail system at goblin valley. After descending into a bowl you are free to climb on the freeform goblins. Goblin valley state park travel guide at wikivoyage. Seven miles of singletrack mountain bike trail opened for riding in june 2015 at goblin valley state park. Story of goblin valley cowboys searching for cattle were among the first to discover secluded goblin valley. Utahs remarkable scenery has always inspired great storytelling.
What an experience, the last time i was here the wind was so bad, it blew the dust so thick you couldnt see anything, let alone take any pictures but this time, we spent 23 hours here, enjoying the different rock formations that are so unique. Best kid friendly trails in goblin valley state park. Goblin valley state park is currently open only to residents of emery county per local public health order. Goblin valley state park is a utah state park on the edge of the san rafael swell in eastern utah. Goblin valley state park what an experience, the last time i was here the wind was so bad, it blew the dust so thick you couldnt see anything, let alone take any pictures but this time, we spent 23 hours here, enjoying the different rock formations that are so unique. From the parking area, you descend about 100 feet into the valley. Hotels near goblin valley state park hotels near goblin valley state park, current page book a hotel near goblin valley state park, utah. Things to do in and around goblin valley state park. Guide to goblin valley state park, utah, with map, photos, camping info and mileage guides to many offsite and onsite links, and more.
Four established hiking trails offerunique and spectacular views of the landscape. These uniquely shaped goblins lure visitors to join them in their desert playground. He spent several days exploring the mysterious valley and photographing its scores of intricately eroded creatures. Energy from the sun oblin valley state park gets its electricity from the suns renewableenergy.
Three square miles filled with thousands of hoodoos, this. Goblin valley state park could almost be mistaken for a martian landscape with intricate and bizarre geologic formations. Some might say that they look like goblins and this is how the park got its name. No matter what you think the stadiumlike valley of stunted hoodoos resembles, one things for sure the 3654acre goblin valley state park is just plain fun.
Goblin valley includes an area where soft sandstone has eroded into interesting shapes, somewhat resembling goblins find info on camping and oher. Most visitors snap a photograph of it as they drive toward the observation point. Goblin valley state park green river 2020 all you need. Many people think the park landscape has a surreal appearance. It officially became a state park on august 24, 1964. There are three valleys in the goblin valley state park that contain red rock hoodoo formations. The star trek spoof movie galaxy quest was filmed in the park, leading to some portions of the road in and out to be paved in preparation for the hollywood production. Camping near goblin valley state park is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners offer oneofakind camping experiences. From i70 take highway 24 south for 24 miles, turn right on temple mountain road and go for 5. Looking for a great trail in goblin valley state park, utah. Campground details goblin valley state park, ut reserveamerica. At a glance, it shows when it will be cloudy or clear for up to the next two days. The area was acquired by the state of utah and in 1964 was officially designated a state park.
Since its opening, goblin valley state park has been referred as mars on earth, and for good reason. Goblin valley state park goblin valley state park is a utah state park on the edge of the san rafael swell in eastern utah. We took the drive into the park and saw the three sisters and walked down into the valley to see the goblins. Hotels near goblin valley state park, green river on tripadvisor. Visit the utah state parks covid19 webpage for updated information buy your single dayuse pass online here. Those curious about scientific processes will appreciate visiting mars desert research center. Other things to do near goblin valley state park take advantage of your precious vacation time by heading over to the areas other attractions after youre done with goblin valley state park.
Small holes in some of the formations make them look like petrified goblins, hence the park s name. I hate to say it, but goblin valley state park was somewhat of a disappointment overall. The 10 closest hotels to goblin valley state park, green. This booklet is intended to further your understanding of the formation of the goblins, soils, and surrounding. Goblin valley state park is located southwest of green river and northwest of hanksville. Wild horse mountain bike trail system at goblin valley state park. Publicity attracted visitors to the valley despite its remoteness. Activities goblin valley goblin valley state park w i l d. Wild horse butte, in the background, exposes all four rock formations the morrison, summerville, and curtis formations, and the entrada sandstone. Goblin valley state park green river all you need to. This small park, tucked away in the san rafael swell in the middle of nowhere, has to rank high among the oddball facilities.
Once a secret gem is known only to a few, a marked trail now guides visitors to the hikers entrance of the lair a massive cavernous formation known as the goblins lair is hidden away in the state parks eastern boundary. Goblin crescent, bryndwr, christchurch, new zealand. The united states is not doing as much as some other countries to protect natural features in part because laws exist to protect property and compensate monetarily for its destruction or loss. Jul 04, 2009 the movie, galaxy quest, was filmed at goblin valley state park because of its unearthly scenery. If you failed to make reservations for a campsite at goblin valley and need a place to park for a few nights this is a close by soulution. The visitor center at goblin valley state park is closed.
The movie, galaxy quest, was filmed at goblin valley state park because of its unearthly scenery. A few trails lead from the overlooks down to the valley floor. Since its establishment, the facilities at goblin valley state park have been upgraded several times. Relatively few people visit goblin valley state park, which is a pity since the eroded sandstone formations are every bit as beautiful as the more famous utah national parks further south, although on a much smaller scale. Goblin valley state park map canyon country, utah mapcarta.
Follow highway 24 to temple mountain junction mile post 6, and proceed 12 miles southwest to the park. Thestate of utah later acquired the property and established goblin valley state august 201964. Goblin valley state park map goblin valley state park ut. Each year approximately 700 pilots enjoy consistent morning and evening winds. It is beyond the cliffs that form the far wall of the valley of goblins. Goblin valley state park is a showcase of geologic history. Cow is an old scots word for goblin, while cad means nasty. Simply pull off into one of the nearby parking spots along the road and.
Adjacent to the park, offhighway vehicle enthusiasts will find hundreds of miles of dirt roads to explore. The park features thousands of hoodoos, referred to locally as goblins, which are formations of mushroomshaped rock pinnacles, some as tall as several yards meters. Goblin valley has to be one of the most family friendly and fun state parks in utah. Goblin valley state park green river, utah atlas obscura. If you want to stay here you will want to book early. The park is easy to explore, by walking along one of three maintained paths, or just hiking offtrail over the level ground between the formations. Hiking goblin valley southern swell road trip ryan. Simply print the form, fill out the top half, and present it to a ranger upon arrival at goblin valley state park. Hike among intricately eroded rock formations in haunting coves. The three sisters is the most iconic of all goblin formations within the park, and is found on many of the souvenir items available in the visitor center. Goblin valley, from overlook pavilliongoblin valley, from overlook pavillion wednesday. Goblin valley state park is famous for its large collections of fancifully shaped rock formations.
It is 49 miles from green river and 20 miles north of hanksville. Wander wisely with the travelocity price match guarantee. Goblin valley state park castle country, utah attraction. In some spots the rock formations are close together and produce a mazelike playground ideal for family explorations. Today, we took a long drive through the center of the san rafael swell. Bizarre lunarlike landscape with thousands of large stone hoodoos. We started from temple mountain road, about 7 miles north of goblin state park. Goblin valley state park is located off highway 24 south of i70. You can climb down, around and even over the evocative goblins 2ft to 20fttall formations. The campground at goblin valley state park consists of 25 sites and two yurts. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. There are cliffs to climb, slot canyons to explore and hoodoos to discover. Goblin valley hanksville, utah free camping near you. Smooth, bulbous, oddlyshaped, freeform rock formations are the lure of small goblin valley state park.
There is extremely limited cell service in this entire area. Goblin valley state park usa attractions lonely planet. Goblin valley state park offers a small, very popular campground. There are no established trails, so you are free to wander around the entire park.
The goblin valley 3,654 acre park, filled with hundreds of geologic wonders, is open to the public. The park lies at the edge of the vast san rafael desert, 12 miles from the small village of hanksville but far from any town of significance, and is reached along a turning. Detailed route info, gps waypoints, photos, and maps for visiting goblin. Discover goblin valley state park in green river, utah. With 45 state parks in utah, theres no question why the state is one of the most popular for camping and outdoorrelated tourism.
We stayed in one the yurts to be close to the goblins on. Exploring goblin valley state park there are three marked hiking trails in goblin valley state park, making it easy to explore in an hour or two. Goblin valley state park is located in emery county between green river and hanksville. Movies filmed in utah utah film history visit utah.