Goblin Valley and Valley of the Goblins

Goblin Valley State Park and the Valley of the Goblins is one of the most unique outdoor experiences you can have off of a hiking trail in the state of Utah. There is no trail, so put your explorer hat on for this one. You begin above the Valley of the Goblins and descend into an other worldly landscape. If I would imagine being on  another planet, I think I would conjure up an image similar to this one. The valley floor is crowded with an innumerable variety of hoodoos of all shapes and sizes. Some look like toadstools, some look like animals. Our favorite is one that looks like a large camel that we have taken family pictures on over the years. You can walk, wander, climb over and under and through the hoodoos. Continue toward the back portion of the valley to view the more sheer rock formations of the valley walls. We have a lot of fun here and it is fantastic stop to make if you are in the east central portion of Utah. 

Difficulty: Not very. 

Trail Stats: There is no trail. This is a ‘wander to your heart’s content’ area. When you are among the hoodoos further back in this area, you cannot see the parking lot unless you climb up on the hoodoos, so please be aware of where you and your adventure companions are for finding your way back to the parking lot.

Trail Finding: There is no set trail. 

Conditions: Packed sand, sandstone hoodoos.

Would I Repeat This: Yes, and we have multiple times. 

Parking: Plenty of parking spaces in the paved lot.

Timing: There is no shade, would recommend earlier in the day or evening related to sun exposure.

Downloaded Map: This may be beneficial for following your tracks back if you are not comfortable climbing up onto a hoodoo to see where the parking lot is.

Fees: This hike is within Goblin Valley State Park. You will need to pay the park entrance fee or show your Utah State Parks Pass.

Trails: Wildhorse Window, Little Wildhorse Canyon, and the San Rafael Swell recreational area is nearby.