Goblin Valley

Entrada Canyon—An adventuresome, moderately strenuous 1.3-mile one-way trail from the campground to the goblins and back. The trail follows the natural drainage that lends itself to those who enjoy discovering what is around the next corner. Goblin’s Lair—A moderately strenuous, 3-mile out-and-back trail that leads hikers To Molly’s Castle The park is located 50 miles southwest of Green River off State Highway 24. Park Entry Fee: Wild Horse Butte Red Canyon—This primitive and sparsely marked route serves as the link between all three valleys, as well as federal wilderness areas beyond. Hikers may encounter horseback riders along this route. It is approximately 2.5 miles to the park boundary. Gr a Bike Trails Entrance Station/Visitor Center Restrooms Three Sisiters Valley of the Goblins Viewpoint Yurt Red Canyon Primitive Route Valley 2 Group Campground Ranger Residence Biking Trail 24 Caineville Hanksville 95 Goblette’s Lair Utah State Parks P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001 (801) 538-7220 stateparks.utah.gov Reservations: 1-800-322-3770 Utah State Parks Mission: To enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Valley 1 Valley 2 Printed 11-2022 Red Canyon Primitive Route See larger map for designated orange area Valley 3 Goblin’s Lair or Scan the QR code to purchase day-use passes online or visit us at parkspass.utah.gov Unpaved Road Goblin Valley State Park 24 Little Wild Horse Canyon Capitol Reef National Park Hiking Trail Paved Road 70 Goblin Valley State Park P.O. Box 478 Green River, UT 84525 (435) 275-4584 il Observation Point Amphitheater San Rafael Swell T Canyon armel Covered Picnic Area Campground 70 Address Inquiries To: c le Valley 1 G Emery Ci r G o blin’s Lair Trail En Hiking Trailhead Green River nd G Region Map 10 An entrance fee is required at all times. Visitor Center New Lands to Explore—The property outlined in green on the map below was added to Goblin Valley State Park in June 2022. This is predominately undeveloped land with few established trails at this time. You may explore at your leisure, but be familiar with backcountry navigation skills and be sure to let someone know where you are going. 6 191 Park Location: (4x4 only) op Lo Curtis Bench—A fairly easy 2.1-mile out-and-back trail that follows the Curtis formation. The trail offers a unique overview of Goblin Valley as well as spectacular views of the Henry Mountains. il orse Canyon Wild H ra Caramel Canyon—A 1.5-mile moderately strenuous loop leading from the parking area to the desert floor. Along the way, visitors see Goblin Valley from different perspectives. Optional hike to Molly’s Castle Overlook. 5m le Litt to il Tra yon an aC tr ad tis Cur Bench Trail Valley of the Goblins—The three valleys are the main attractions in the park. Three square miles filled with thousands of hoodoos, this area is open to free wandering hiking. The three valleys are predominantly undeveloped lands with no maintained trails, so be mindful not to climb on the more fragile hoodoos or disturb any cryptobiotic soil or plants. Get familiar with backcountry navigation skills and be sure to let someone know where you are going while you are exploring at your leisure. The Three Sisters—This quick 250-yard trail is the most iconic of all goblin formations. It offers spectacular views and can be found on many souvenir items in the visitor center. Your park fees provide the care, protection, and enhancement of this park. C Goblin Valley State Park allows visitors to explore and meander among the goblins. Five established hiking trails, bike trails, and the three trailless valleys offer unique and spectacular views of the landscape. Goblin Valley State Park Map behind the Goblin Valleys for a scramble down into a cave. This hike descends to the desert floor and offers breathtaking views of Molly’s Castle and the Gilson Buttes. Exposed, sandy, and requires basic bouldering skills to climb into the Lair. es Activities Valley 3 “What a privilege it is to frolic with goblins under the beguiling light of a billion stars.” Geology Campground Park Guidelines Goblin Valley is at the southern end of the San Rafael Swell, a massive anticline that was uplifted about 40-70 million years ago. The goblins, known scientifically as hoodoos, were formed through the gradual erosion of Morrison Fm. Rivers and lakes, volcanic ash Entrada sandstone, which was deposited about 170 million years ago when the area was a tidal flat situated next to an ancient sea. Summerville As sand washed in with the tides, the surrounding area eroded into Formation the sea, depositing silt and clay. These components are layered to form Siltstone from shallow tidal flats interbedded sandstone. Goblin Valley State Park features a 24-site campground, group site, and two yurts with centrally-located restroom and shower facilities all booked 16 weeks in advance. Day-use and camping fees are charged. Camping—Camp only in designated areas. Each permit covers one vehicle and any attached recreational equipment. An extra fee is charged for additional vehicles. Up to eight people are allowed on a campsite. Nature sculpts the goblins’ unearthly shapes from the interbedded sandstone through a process called spheroidal weathering. Because the siltstone and shale layers are softer than the more resistant sandstone layers, they dissolve more quickly. As vertical cracks appear, the sandstone’s sharp corners are smoothed by chemical decomposition and erosion, forming the rounded caps and curves of these otherworldly formations. The red cliffs beyond the valley are going through this same process and will gradually expand the goblin landscape over the next few million years. Note how the younger, lightercolored Curtis Formation caps the Entrada sandstone. Dark Sky Goblin Valley has one of the darkest night skies on earth. Virtually free of any light pollution from populated areas, Goblin Valley Park is a certified Dark Sky Park and offers unparalleled views of the Milky Way. Be sure to spend some time exploring the different contellations and enjoying the night sky. Curtis Formation Hard sandstone from marine reefs Entrada Sandstone Fine-grain sandstone, siltstone, and gypsum from ancient tidal flats Plants and Animals Vegetation is limited to hardy desert species, which can endure blowing sand and hot, dry conditions. Plants have adapted by reducing the size of their leaves and producing waxy coatings, so that they lose less water through transpiration. Visitors will likely encounter Mormon tea (Ephedra), tumbleweeds (Russian thistle), Indian ricegrass, and various cacti. Nearby, at slightly higher elevations, are juniper and pinyon pine. Jackrabbits, scorpions, kangaroo rats, pronghorn, kit foxes, rattlesnakes, and coyotes are found within and near the park. Most animals in the area are nocturnal, venturing out only in the cooler evenings to hunt and forage for food. 145-170 million years ago From deposits laid 170 million years ago by a vast inland sea, Goblin Valley State Park was sculpted by forces of nature. Today, thousands of otherworldly stone gnomes inhabit the valley, evidence of this land’s unique geologic legacy. These uniquely shaped goblins lure visitors to join them in their desert playground. Middle and Upper Jurassic Formations GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK Safety Tips • Lightning danger is severe in exposed locations. Seek shelter in a building or vehicle during thunderstorms. • Drink plenty of water—bring at least one gallon per person per day in summer. • Goblin Valley is a remote, rugged area. Use caution while hiking. Weather The desert is a land of extremes. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, while low humidity allows evenings to cool off rapidly. Afternoon thunderstorms in late summer provide a refreshing breeze, but also bring the danger of lightning strikes and flash flooding in the nearby slot canyons. In the winter, nighttime temperatures drop below freezing, and the valley sees occasional snow. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Goblin Valley. Brilliantly clear. Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Fires—Campfires are permitted in campground fire rings only. Most developed campsites provide camp stoves or grills. Firewood is available for sale at the visitor center. Pets—Pets are allowed in Utah State Parks, but must be on a maximum six-foot leash and under control at all times. Please clean up promptly after your pets. Bicycles—Bicycling is permitted on established public roads and in parking areas. Bicycles are not allowed on hiking trails, in the Valley of the Goblins, or off paved areas within the campground. For a map of the Wild Horse Mountain Biking Trail System, see our website or inquire at the visitor center. Plants and animals—All plants, animals, minerals, and other natural features in Utah State Parks are protected. It is unlawful to remove, alter, or destroy them. Goblin Valley’s formations are fragile. Please treat them with care. Fireworks—Unless authorized by the park manager, fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited. Vandalism—It is unlawful to mutilate or deface any natural or constructed feature or structure. Please help keep our parks beautiful. Wastewater—It is unlawful to dump or drain water from campers or trailers onto the ground. A sanitary disposal station is provided for registered campers.