Goblin Valley State Park is inhabited by strange and unique rock sculptures, carved by wind and water, that suggest mischievous goblins and phantasmagoric creatures. It also contains colorful chocolate-colored balanced rocks, spires and pedestals amidst the solitude of the Great Basin Desert.
The Valley, which is only about a mile across and two miles long, is full of thousands of mushroom-shaped pinnacles a few feet high. These pinnacles are composed of large, orange-brown boulders of hard rock atop weaker sandy layers which have eroded more quickly. Goblin Valley State park is located in Emery County between the towns of Green River and Hanksville. Follow Utah Highway 24 to Temple Mountain Junction and proceed 14 miles southwest on a surfaced and improved gravel road. The Park encompasses 3,014 acres.
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 (a ferry used to shuttle people across the Colorado River), and two companions were searching for an alternative 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 creatures. 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 state park on August 24, 1964.
General Information
Rates & Fees
Entrance: $3.00 per day per vehicle.
Camping: $10.00 per night per site.
Single Park Permit: $30 and allows the cardholder and up to seven guests in the same private vehicle day-use entrance into Goblin Valley State Park. The permit is valid for the current calendar year.
Five-Day Pass: $12 and allows day-use entrance to all Utah state parks for five consecutive days.
Seasons / Hours
Open year round, 24 hours a day.
Visitor Center
None
Facilities/Features
Picnicking: An area with picnic tables, fire pit, barbecue grills and electricity is also available for picnicking and group outings.
Camping & Lodging
Lodging
There is no lodging available in the park. Check nearby towns for motels.
Camping
Each spacious campsite has a picnic table, paved parking pad, and barbecue grill.
- Tent Sites: 21
- Reservations Accepted: 3/15-10/15
- Stay Limit: 14 Days
- Total Units : 21
- RV Trailer Sites : 21
- Maximum RV Length: 30 feet.
- Camping Fee - $10
- Group Camping available
- Picnicking
- Group Pavilion
- Drinking Water
- Modern Rest Rooms
- Vault Toilets
- Showers
- Sewage Disposal
- Elevation: 5,200 feet.
Reservations can be made by calling Utah State Parks and Recreation at 800-322-3770, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Individual campsite reservations may be made 3 to 120 days in advance. A $5 non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each site reserved. A $10 non-refundable fee is charged for group sites and building rentals. An additional reservation fee is charged for any changes to existing reservations. Visa, MasterCard and personal checks are accepted. A $5 fee is charged for an extra vehicle and is collected at the park.
Things To Do
Auto / 4WD Touring
Adjacent to the park, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts will find hundreds of miles of dirt roads to explore.The land west of the park, the San Rafael wilderness, is like much of southern Utah -- it is remote and beautiful, traversed only by a few dirt tracks -- 4WD vehicles are advised.
Hiking
Numerous rocks and coves offer unlimited hiking opportunities. Hike among intricately eroded rock formations in haunting coves in this photographers' paradise.There are several trails passing through the Park, although they are not obvious and it is possible to walk almost anywhere.
Resources & Nearby Attractions
Cities & Towns
- Green River, Utah: 48 miles north
- Hanksville, Utah: 24 miles south
- Caineville, Utah: 54 miles southwest
- Moab, Utah: 95 miles east
Parks & Monuments
Recreation & Wilderness Areas
Historic & Points of Interest
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