If you are looking for the one of a kind, kid friendly hike in Utah, I know the place. Hiking at Goblin Valley State Park is just the place.
At Goblin Valley State Park, you will find hundreds of hoodoos (more on that later). The landscape is really a dreamscape! Your kids’ imaginations will run wild as they run from one set of hoodoos to the next.
It is close to Moab and Capital Reef so if you are on a National Park tour this is a great addition!
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How Do I Get to Goblin Valley?
Not easily. This is not your 30-minutes from the city type of hike. This is your take-a-long-weekend adventure (while visiting other locations) type of place. Goblin Valley State Park is in south, central Utah. The closest town is Hanksville which has a population of 219 people according the 2010 census!
So you’re going to Goblin Valley as part of a camping trip, or while you are visiting Moab or Capital Reef. This is a great bundle venue to couple with Arches National Park. Also, one great idea is to fly into the closest airport and then rent an RV on RVShare.
How Far is Goblin Valley from Salt Lake City?
The distance is about three and a half hours.
How Far is Goblin Valley from Moab (Including Canyonlands and Arches)?
The distance is about 1 hour and a half hours.
How Far is Goblin Valley from Capit0l Reef National Park?
The distance is about 2 hours.
Why is it Called Goblin Valley?
The sandstone in this area dates back to the Jurassic period 170 million years ago. Spheroidal weathering of the entrada sandstone is how these amazing rock formations or hoodoos where formed. But the hoodoo’s themselves were created over time by erosion. According to National Geographic it is believed that these hoodoos began forming 25 million years ago.
Why is it Called a Hoodoo?
A hoodoo is a spire of rock that looks like a mushroom. They look eerie so they were given the names “hoodoo”, “goblin”, and “fairy chimneys”
Admission and Parking at Goblin Valley
Hours: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
Admission: $15
You can purchase your day pass online. This will save you a little time on your visit.
There are Covid-19 restrictions that will only allow a certain amount of people in the park at a time. So you probably will have to wait 30-45 minutes (or more) to enter the park. As one car exits another can enter. Go early to avoid lines!
When is the Best Time to Visit Goblin Valley?
The best time to visit and hike in Goblin Valley is Spring or Fall. The summer is extremely hot in this area and winter is extremely cold.
We went in the Spring and the weather was around 76 degrees. It was still hot but not unbearable. In the desert the sun is brutal.
How to Explore Goblin Valley in the Summer
Goblin Valley gets very hot in the summer. We are talking about temperatures near 100 degrees or over. You can try to do an early morning hike in the summer, but unless your kids are wired differently than mine, early morning and hikes are two ingredients that don’t go well together.
Evening hikes may be the better option. Although it takes a while to cool down, if you go while the sun is setting, you can move around at dusk, and then stay in the area to see the beautiful night sky on a cloudless night! With so few natural lights in the area, the view of the stars is striking.
What is There to do at Goblin Valley?
Explore the Hoodoos at Valley of the Goblins – Observation Point
This is the main attraction in the park. It is three square miles filled with thousands of hoodoos. This isn’t a traditional hike with a trail. You are currently free to wander around and explore and climb on all the rock formations.
It is SO much fun! Especially, if you have kids with great imaginations. My kids claimed their kingdoms among the rocks, making themselves kings and queens, and bestowing titles on their siblings. One hoodoo formation was a giant dragon to mount. Other formations became their pirate ships. And yet other hoodoos were faces of monsters waiting to eat them. Our then four-year-old hiked the entire time.
Depending on the weather you could spend an hour or two just in this area. The only concern I had was that our kids’ excitement propelled them to run in different directions at times. Fortunately, this is a flat area that doesn’t have severe drop offs, though a kid could fall from a hoodoo.
If you are a little more adventurous there is a canyoning tour which allows guided rappelling down narrow fissures.
Additional Hiking at Goblin Valley (Trails)
Carmel Canyon – 1.5 mile moderate to strenuous loop. This hike will take you to the dessert floor allowing a different viewpoint of Goblin Valley. There is an option to hike to Molly’s Castle Overlook from this hike.
Curtis Bench – 2.1 mile round trip easy trail that will give you a spectacular view of the Henry Mountains.
Entrada Canyon – 1.3 mile tough hike from the campsite to Goblin Valley.
Goblin’s Lair – 3 mile round trip. This is the hike we want to go on next time. Our kids can only handle so much hiking so on our last trip we only did the Valley of the Goblins. Goblin’s Lair leads to a cave and has spectacular views of Molly’s Castle and Gilson Buttes. You do have to be able to climb into the lair.
Mountain Biking at Goblin Valley
Bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails or in the Valley of the Goblins. There are designated biking trails that belong to the Wild Horse Biking Trail System.
Exploring the Slot Canyons Near Goblin Valley
There are over 14 slot canyons in this area!
- Ding and Dang Canyon
- Music Canyon
- Devils Canyon
- Muddy Creek
- Crawford Draw
- Little Wild Horse Canyon
- Crack Canyon
- Iron Wash North Fork
- Cistern and Ramp Canyons
- Forgotten Canyon
- Bell Canyon
- Baptist Draw
- Eardley Canyon
- Farnsworth Canyon
Little Wild Horse Canyon is located near Goblin Valley and is one of the most popular hikes because there are a long stretch of narrows you have to turn sideways to get through. It is a family friendly hike.
Goblin Valley Star Gazing
Goblin Valley is an International Dark Sky Park. This area is free from any significant light pollution. If you are used to the city, the nighttime star gazing will give you a spectacular experience!
Camping at Goblin Valley State Park

Image courtesy of statparks.utahgov
The campground at Goblin Valley consists of 25 sites and 2 yurts. 10 of the 25 sites are for tents. 14 are for RVs. The final site is a large community campsite that can hold up to 35 people.
Camping
Showers and flushing toilets are available in the campsite. Communal water and a dump station are also available. At each site there is a picnic table, metal fire ring, and shade shelter.
That camping site cost $30 per night, which also gives you access to Goblin Valley State Park.
Yurts
If you prefer more comfort than a tent provides you may want to think about staying in the yurts. They are designed after the nomadic tent dwellings of central Asia. The yurts have heating and air-conditioning. They also have a bunk bed (twin/full), a futon bed, and table and chairs.
A grill is available (propane is included)
You will also need to bring your on linens. Reserve your yurt well in advance because they get booked out quickly. You will have to be very planned. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
Yurts are $100 plus tax.
How Long Should I Spend at Goblin Valley?
If I just wanted to see the hoodoos at Observation Point (Valley of the Goblins), I would plan about 2 hours.
Hiking in Goblin Valley
Hiking in Goblin Valley will obviously take more time and you will want to dedicate majority of your day exploring the different hikes.
Camping in Goblin Valley
Planning a camping trip at Goblin Valley for one night would probably give you the perfect amount of time to do everything there is to do in the park. If you wanted to explore in the surrounding areas more time would be required.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Goblin Valley
Pets
Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a six feet leash. We saw plenty of dogs near the observation deck (near the parking lot). Our kids love dogs. They had so much fun that they didn’t need the distraction on this trip, but it was a plus on our way out for them to see all of the dogs. (they saw over 20 dogs)
Weather
The temperatures are extreme in the desert. In the summer it can easily be over 100 degrees. In the winter it drops below freezing.
Flash floods are extremely dangerous and if lighting strikes a flash flood is coming. It will go right through the slot canyons. If you have ever seen reports about flash flood in a slot canyon, you will know that the water builds up quickly, and is fast, creating multiple drownings dangers. It is like a rapid river that appears out of nowhere!
Why We Love Hiking in Goblin Valley
If you have followed me here on Planningaway.com, you will know that we love hiking. We hike on every vacation! Hiking at Goblin Valley was a fabulous experience! Goblin Valley is great for all ages but our kids especially loved it. Not only is it fun for younger kids but teenagers as well. I hope you get a chance to go!
If you are planning on exploring the Mighty Five National Parks of Utah and have some time to explore other areas, consider hiking in Goblin Valley State Park. I highly recommend it.
There are so many beautiful National Parks in the USA and many close to this location. I hope to explore all of them one day!
Comment below and let us know if you have been or want to go!
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Pam
June 4, 2020 9:32 amWhat a cool place to hike. I’ve never heard of Hoodoo’s before but I bet seeing them in person is amazing.
Lisa
June 4, 2020 2:48 pmThey are really cool in person!
kmf
June 4, 2020 10:26 amUtah is so beautiful! I must visit soon as I would love to do some day hikes in the canyons especially.
Lisa
June 4, 2020 2:47 pmThere are some incredible hikes in Utah!
Tricia Snow
June 4, 2020 2:37 pmWow! I have never heard of this park! I am saving this so I have it when we make it to Utah. That is a bucket list state for us. Thanks!
Lisa
June 4, 2020 2:47 pmThere are some really cool National Parks and State Parks plus Utah does not have very many bugs with is awesome when you want to explore outside!
Adrian Pottinger
June 4, 2020 8:08 pmI definitely need to upgrade my hiking boots for this trip
Lisa
June 5, 2020 3:28 pmI know, I need to get some too.
Lucy
June 4, 2020 8:22 pmthis place looks so cool, can’t wait to visit!
Lisa
June 5, 2020 3:28 pmI hope you get too! It took us like five years before we made it!
Sara
June 5, 2020 4:11 amThis looks like such a fun place to visit. My kids would love running around and exploring. Would love to make it here someday.
Lisa
June 5, 2020 3:27 pmOh my gosh they would love it! The imagination just runs wild here!
Alison
June 5, 2020 7:23 amI’ve heard of hoodoos before but didn’t realize that incredible places like Goblin Valley exist – so cool!
Lisa
June 5, 2020 3:26 pmIt really is in the middle of nowhere! I’m glad it is a state park and protected!
Leeanne
June 5, 2020 8:33 amSuch an amazing landscape. I would love to bring my kids. I will add this to our ‘must’ Utah list.
Lisa
June 5, 2020 3:25 pmYes, It is really cool! Kids loved it!
Casandra
June 5, 2020 10:43 amI have always wanted to stay in a Yurt. I celebrated my 40th birthday in a yurt at the top of the mountain at Big Sky Resort in the middle of winter. Would love to camp in one! We have hoodoo’s in my city but these are truly spectacular. Definitely saving this for future travel when we can cross the border again!
Lisa
June 5, 2020 3:25 pmI really want to stay in a Yurt too! Every time I try to book they are full!
Stacey Billingsley
June 5, 2020 3:12 pmThis place looks so cool! I’d never heard of it. We’ve been thinking about a road trip to Utah this July maybe since we had to scrap our plan to go east. I’ll keep it in mind!
Lisa
June 5, 2020 3:21 pmAll the national parks and Goblin Valley are very hot during the summer. Salt Lake city is nice in the summer because the mountains are 10-20 degrees cooler than the valley.
Cynthia
June 5, 2020 6:13 pmThis reminds me so much of our trip to Bryce Canyon with the Hoodoos. It would be great to hike through them.
Lisa
June 5, 2020 7:16 pmIt was really cool!
Cindy
June 5, 2020 6:57 pmWhat a unique area to explore in! It definitely looks otherworldly.
Lisa
June 5, 2020 7:16 pmYes, I think some movies have been filmed there!
Missy
June 5, 2020 8:55 pmSuch a cool place. I love learning about new locations to visit. Thank you
Lisa
June 6, 2020 1:05 pmYou would love this one!
Eva Keller
June 5, 2020 8:59 pmWow this place looks cool! We were supposed to be doing the Utah National Parks back in March and April as part of our honeymoon but they had all closed so we cancelled it. We’re hoping to plan another trip back out there, maybe in the Fall. This would be a good addition to that itinerary.
Lisa
June 6, 2020 1:05 pmOh yes! Fall is a good time to go!
Danielle Ardizzone
June 8, 2020 1:32 pmSuch unique formations! Great pictures!
Lisa
June 8, 2020 2:42 pmIt really is an out of this world experience, I felt like I was in a martian movie.
Linda Egeler
June 8, 2020 4:14 pmWhy is it that I have never heard of Goblin Valley or a hoodoo? These rock formations look so cool! Looks like they are all kinds of great hiking areas in Utah.
Lisa
June 9, 2020 9:18 amUtah is like an outdoor adventurers dream location.
Tiffany
June 8, 2020 7:41 pmStaying in the yurt looks like fun! What a place to explore!
Lisa
June 9, 2020 9:18 amI have always want to stay in a yurt but I think about it too late and they are usually booked up!
Holly
June 8, 2020 8:36 pmThis is one area I have not visited in Utah! Love your pictures, I’m ready to visit next time I’m there! Thank you for sharing!
Lisa
June 9, 2020 9:17 amIf you are up for adventure it is a long drive but worth it!
Angela
June 8, 2020 9:04 pmThis place is breathtaking and looks so spiritual.
Lisa
June 9, 2020 9:16 amI had never seen anything like it!
Douglas Jasper
June 9, 2020 5:27 amI will say it again. The rock formations just blow me away. This looks awesome.
Lisa
June 9, 2020 9:16 amThey are mind blowing, so cool!
Kendra
June 9, 2020 4:01 pmWow! What an incredible hiking spot! I’ll add this to my Utah travel plans!
Lisa
June 9, 2020 4:50 pmIt is such a cool addition for a Utah vacation.
Sandi
June 9, 2020 6:59 pmI want to stay in a yurt, on my to-do list.
Lisa
June 11, 2020 8:01 amThat would be awesome!
heather J jandrue
June 10, 2020 6:25 amThis looks like so much fun! We need to get back to Utah. We loved it when we were in 2009.
Lisa
June 11, 2020 8:01 amIt is a great state, I’m glad I live here and get to explore it.
Alicea
June 10, 2020 9:06 amUtah is on my bucket list and I would love to see this park.
Lisa
June 11, 2020 8:00 amUtah has so many cool parks!
Debbie
June 10, 2020 12:05 pmI really need to get to Utah! Cool rock formations. I would love to see those.
Lisa
June 11, 2020 8:00 amFor sure! It is a neat place!
Kirsten
June 10, 2020 9:02 pmI can’t believe I’ve never been there! I went to SUU, so not that far. And have done a bunch of the other other National Parks in the area. Maybe we’ll gave to plan on it next time we’re in Southern Utah. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa
June 11, 2020 7:59 amIt is really east! So worth a visit!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
June 11, 2020 5:33 amToo funny, those hoodoo’s do look like mushrooms! Looks like another planet!! Thanks for sharing this interesting area of the world I’ve yet to visit.
Lisa
June 11, 2020 7:57 amIt does look like another planet!
Amanda
June 11, 2020 7:43 amGoblin Valley State Park in Utah looks so cool! We would love to see it in person and stay in a yurt for the night. I will check it out for sure when we visit!
Lisa
June 11, 2020 7:55 amIt is so fun for kids!
Taci- Life Beyond Zebra
June 15, 2020 12:08 amI haven’t heard of this before! It looks really cool. I will have to add it for sure when exploring Utah!
Lisa
June 17, 2020 9:35 pmIt is so cool!
Michelle
July 9, 2020 9:46 amHow interesting! I love to hike and explore new places. You opened my eyes to a new spot that looks great for exploring. Thanks for the information!
Lisa
July 9, 2020 10:01 amGoblin Valley is awesome and perfect place to visit if you already doing a Utah National Park tour!
melissa
July 9, 2020 6:47 pmThis place looks so cool!! I think my kids would love it (and so would I!). We are definitely adding it to our list of places to visit in Utah.
Lisa
July 10, 2020 7:27 amYou won’t regret it! It is really neat!
tina
July 9, 2020 8:40 pmThis looks like an outstanding place to visit. I wish I can travel more Thanks for sharing this
Lisa
July 10, 2020 7:26 amGoblin Valley is a fun place!
Yoursmarketer
August 26, 2020 2:22 amGreat article and really helpful.
Lisandra
September 8, 2020 3:07 pmI just recently went to Utah (and will posting about it as well!) but, I never went here before! Such a great and wonderful post. I look forward into going back to utah to travel more hikes. Maybe someday we can collab and talk about it!
Lisa
September 8, 2020 10:03 pmFor Sure! There are some amazing places!
amanda ramirez
September 8, 2020 4:23 pmVery good info, and I love all your photos! Utah has so many fantastic places to hike-we want to plan a trip to southern Utah soon. Thanks for the tips!
Lisa
September 8, 2020 10:02 pmSouthern Utah is a great place! So many amazing parks!
Bria
September 8, 2020 5:34 pmWow! I’ve never been to Utah and want to go so badly! I’ve never heard of Goblin Valley before, but will definitely be adding to my list of places to visit when I do make it out there. Thanks!
Lisa
September 8, 2020 10:01 pmIt is right between to National Parks so it is perfectly in the way!
Mariah French
September 8, 2020 8:03 pmThose rocks look so cool! I live in Utah and have yet to visit Goblin Valley, but hopefully not for long!
Lisa
September 8, 2020 10:00 pmI know there are so many fun places to visit in Utah. I haven’t been to all of them!