Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park is a unique park located in east central Utah, about 12 miles north of Hanksville off of Utah State Rt 24. Goblin Valley State Park contains one of the largest concentrations of hoodoos in the world, known in the park as "goblins". A hoodoo is a mushroom shaped rock formed when softer sandstone erodes faster then the harder capstone on top.
I visited the park in June of 2020 and it was HOT! A better time to see the goblins is early spring, fall, maybe winter - anytime but the middle of summer. The campground is kind of minimalist and campsite reservations are recommended. Unreserved campsites are on a first-come first-served basis. Each campsite has a picnic table, grill, and 2-sided shelter. There are no RV hookups, but there is a dump station. The single bathroom comes complete with individual showers; very nice after a hot day hiking in the desert. Oh, and bring your telescope because the park has some of the darkest skies on earth.

Click here to view the goblins as a slideshow. May take several seconds to run.

Park Sign

Entering the Campground

Campsite Shelter and Bathroom in Back

Campground Rock Formations

Curtis Bench Trail

The Curtis Bench Trail is an easy 2.1 mile out and back trail along the Curtis Bench formation. There are a lot of hoodoos to see along the way, and the end of the trail offers great views of the Henry Mountains. I took this hike in the early morning and it was really pleasant.

Trailhead

Curtis Bench Trail

Three Sisters viewed from Curtis Bench Trail

Henry Mountains

Fantastic Scenery

Lots of Hoodoos

Frisbee golf, anyone?

Campground viewed from Curtis Bench Trail

Valley of the Goblins

And now for the main attraction - INTO THE VALLEY OF THE GOBLINS. You can drive or hike to the observation point from the campground. The observation point has ample parking, restrooms, a picnic pavilion, and one or two food vendors. From there you descend several steps into the valley and wander around among the goblins (the park recommends you don't climb on the goblins). Parts of the valley are very maze-like, and as soon as you leave the immediate vicinity of the observation point you can easily lose the rest of humanity.