Goblin Valley State Park lies within the San Rafael Desert southeast of the east limb of the San Rafael Swell and north of the Henry Mountains. Utah State Route 24 passes about four miles east of the park. Hanksville lies 12 miles to the south.
Its eminent feature is its thousands of hoodoos and hoodoo rocks, referred to locally as "goblins", which are formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, some as high as several meters. The distinct shapes of these rocks come from an erosion-resistant layer of rock atop softer sandstone. Along with Bryce Canyon National Park some 190 miles to the southwest, Goblin Valley State Park is one location with some of the highest occurrences of hoodoos in the world.
Hiking is permitted in the park, which features three marked trails.
Visitor Map of Crack Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA) near Goblin Valley State Park (SP) in the BLM Price Field Office area in Utah. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Recreation Map of Temple Mountain Recreation Area at San Rafael Swell in the BLM Price Field Office area in Utah. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Guide to Utah Scenic Byways. Published by visitutah.com
Goblin Valley SP
https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goblin_Valley_State_Park
Goblin Valley State Park lies within the San Rafael Desert southeast of the east limb of the San Rafael Swell and north of the Henry Mountains. Utah State Route 24 passes about four miles east of the park. Hanksville lies 12 miles to the south.
Its eminent feature is its thousands of hoodoos and hoodoo rocks, referred to locally as "goblins", which are formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, some as high as several meters. The distinct shapes of these rocks come from an erosion-resistant layer of rock atop softer sandstone. Along with Bryce Canyon National Park some 190 miles to the southwest, Goblin Valley State Park is one location with some of the highest occurrences of hoodoos in the world.
Hiking is permitted in the park, which features three marked trails.
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 y
sTSTE PPIK a
JuNT op RANGER
PRoGRAM
GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
Welcome to Goblin Valley State Park!
Are you between the ages of six and 12?
Do you want to learn more about Goblin Valley State
Park?
Do you want to become a Junior Ranger?
To become a Junior Ranger complete at least six
activities in this booklet. Once you've completed the
activities, return to the visitor center with your booklet
to receive an official Junior Ranger badge!
Rangers and Naturalists take care of our state parks. In
this booklet you will learn about some of the jobs they
do. You will learn how YOU can help take care of Goblin
Valley State-Park.
Discovering Goblin Valley
Some of the first people to discover Goblin Valley were
cowboys searching for cattle.
Imagine you were the first person to find Goblin Valley.
How would you describe it?
What would you name it?
Discovery Walk
As a Junior Ranger, it is important to explore the park so
you can learn more about it. You will be able to share
what you have found with other visitors. Explore with a
parent and please leave everything as you find it for
other visitors to enjoy.
Find some of the things listed below:
o Something soft
o Something prickly
o Something you smell
o Something that moves
o Something you can climb
o Something an animal lives in
o Something that is food for an animal
You can list items, draw pictures, or write a story about
what you see, hear, smell and feel during your discovery
walk.
A Story in the Rocks
Geologists are people who study rocks. Rocks can tell
geologists a story about what the landscape was like in
the past. Goblin Valley's story goes something like this:
Once upon a time, about 160 million years ago when
dinosaurs walked the earth, Goblin Valley looked
much different than it does today. There were
mountains to the west, sand dunes to the east, and an
inland sea nearby! Sand and clay washed down from
the mountains to create layers of sediment here. With
pressure from the layers above and lots of time, that
sand and clay turned to rock. Geologists call it
sedimentary rock!
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Can you think of something else that has layers?
2, (a,•
7 IT-r3) •3° .---)
Sedimentary rock layers
Q .31
u, •
might remind you of this!
CI
Connect the dots to find out!
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94
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9
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How did the Goblins form?
Over time, cracks develop in the rock layers and
rainwater seeps in. In cold weather the water freezes
and expands causing the rock cracks to widen.
This happens over and over again, pushing the rocks
apart. Softer rocks in between the cracks wash away.
Wind and rain round the rock edges causing the goblins
to take shape!
Draw a goblin that you saw today! Does it remind you
of anything else?
The Soil is Alive!
Rangers and Naturalists help take care of all living things.
In some areas of the park, even the soil is alive!
Biological ("living") soil crust is very fragile. One
footprint can damage years and years of growth!
What does it look like? It is very hard to see when it's
young but as it gets older, you'll see black bumps on the
top of the soil.
What is it? Tiny plants like algae, fungus, lichen and
even bacteria, all help to form the soil crust. It can also
be called Cryptobiotic Soil (crypto = hidden, biotic = life).
What does it do? It holds sand together, holds water
and provides nutrients to help plants grow.
Where can I see it? Look for soil crust on the Curtis
Bench Trail.
bid you find it? If you did, draw a picture below of
what it looks like to you!
Remember, don't bust the crust!
Desert Habitat
All living things need:
Water
Food
Shelter
Space
They find this in their HABITAT!
Can you find these plants in their desert habitat?
Rough Mulesears
Rabbitbrush
Joint Fir (Mormon Tea)
Goblin Valley Crossword
Write the answers to each question or picture in the
boxes below.
2
ACROSS:
2
MEIN
5. This person learns about
the park and helps park staff
keep it clean and safe.
6
6
I
I
10
I
10. Wind and water
help form the goblins.
I
I
DOWN: 1. Layers of sand and clay that has
hardened over time is called
rock.
3
9
11
12
4. This type of
Cactus lives
in Goblin Valley.
7. Animals that are
most active at night are
called
Create a Goblin Valley Food Web!
What is a food web? A food web is a way of connecting
plants and animals in their habitat by showing who eats
who! Some plants and small animals can be eaten by many
different types of larger animals.
Connect the plants and animals below with arrows.
A mother kit fox has moved
to another den and lost track
of one of her pups. Can you
help the kit fox pup find the
new den and her family?
F=sa
k
START
Who Am I?
Rangers and Naturalists teach visitors about the plants and
animals that live in and around Goblin Valley. You can teach
your friends and family about what you've learned. Use the
clues below to solve these riddles:
Utah
T R AV E L G U I D E
225 miles
to Boise
230 miles
to Yellowstone
Sawtooth National Forest
155 miles to
Grand Teton
GARDEN CIT Y
15
84
Bear
Lake
89
LOGAN
R ANDOLPH
GOLDEN SPIKE
NTL. HISTORIC PARK
30
15
39
BRIGHAM
CIT Y
Cache
National
Forest
OGDEN
Great
Salt Lake
400 miles
to Reno
84
EVANSTON
FLAMING GORGE
NTL. REC. AREA
150
80
SALT LAKE CITY
191
80
WENDOVER
215
K AMA S
PARK CIT Y
Uinta
National
Forest
TOOELE
Wasatch
National
Forest
TIMPANOGOS CAVE
NTL. MONUMENT
Utah
Lake
36
DINOSAUR
NTL. MONUMENT
VERNAL
HEBER CIT Y
35
191
40
PROVO
40
300 miles
to Denver
ive
r
DUCHESNE
Wasatch
National
Forest
89
Ashley
National
Forest
Manti-La Sal
National
Forest
Gr
Uinta
National
Forest
ee
nR
191
6
PRICE
31
6
15
Fishlake
National
Forest
12 miles
to Great
Basin
50
JURASSIC
NTL. MONUMENT
MANTI
28
C A STLE DALE
6
10
257
FILLMORE
70
RICHFIELD
GREEN RIVER
70
ARCHES
NATIONAL PARK
24
Fishlake
National
Forest
24
30 miles
to Grand
Junction
191
128
MOAB
21
CAPITOL REEF
NATIONAL PARK
15
89
62
BEAVER
Manti-La Sal
National
Forest
24
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL PARK
TORREY
95
89
CEDAR CIT Y
PANGUITCH
276
ESC AL ANTE
12
CEDAR BREAKS
NTL. MONUMENT
Dixie
National
Forest
MONTICELLO
491
Manti-La Sal
National
Forest
NATURAL BRIDGES
NTL. MONUMENT
BL ANDING
GLEN CANYON
NTL. REC. AREA
BRYCE CANYON
NATIONAL PARK
ZION
NATIONAL PARK
9
95
K ANAB
180 miles to
Grand Canyon
To request a free Official Utah Highway Map, please contact
the Utah Department of Transportation at 801-965-4000
or the Utah Office of Tourism at 801-538-1900
89
GRAND STAIRCASE–
ESCALANTE NTL. MONUMENT
Lake Powell
55 miles
to Mesa
Verde
HOVENWEEP
NTL. MONUMENT
BEARS
261 EARS
NTL. MONUMENT
BLUFF
SPRINGDALE
ST. GEORGE
110 miles
to Las Vegas
ve
r
Ri
Dixie
National
Forest
Dixie
National
Forest
PAROWAN
191
12
Co
lo
ra
do
130
MONUMENT
VALLEY
National Forest
MEXIC AN
HAT
162
Four Corners Area
FOUR CORNERS
MONUMENT
National Park
State Park
TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS
FOREVER MIGHTY®
PAGE 2
Forever Mighty means preparing for the outdoors and traveling mindfully.
Use these resources to help you plan and prepare for your visit.
THE BUCKET LIST
PAGE 4
Ride with bison, raft the West’s best whitewater, rappel down slot canyons, then
hook a trophy trout — and your vacation is just getting started. Fulfill — or create
— your Utah Bucket List with these nine unforgettable adventures.
GETTING HERE & AROUND
PAGE 10
Getting to Utah is easy, and with a little know-how, getting around is also a breeze.
Traveling in Utah means falling in love with Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY & THE WASATCH FRONT
PAGE 12
You think you know Salt Lake? Immerse yourself in the experiences that truly
define this vibrant city and the greater Wasatch Front.
DINING GUIDE
3
4
5
6
7
PAGE 16
Get to know the sophisticated culinary side of Utah with help from a renowned
dining critic. This roundup is a mere stepping off point of can’t-miss eateries
from Salt Lake City and around the state.
THE GREATEST SNOW ON EARTH ®
PAGE 24
Zip up your coat, then point your skis or board down your choice of nearly 1,000
runs at 14 ski resorts. Repeat. This is your guide to getting here, getting around
and making the most of winter on your Utah ski vacation.
TOP RATED UTAH
PAGE 30
Travelers to Utah love their experiences so much they can’t resist sharing them
with the world. Here are several top attractions trending on TripAdvisor that
deserve a spot on your vacation itinerary.
PARKS & OUTDOORS
PAGE 36
Your adventure starts with The Mighty 5 national parks. It continues with
multiple national monuments, recreation areas and state parks plus vast
stretches of national forest and open lands filling the space between them.
®
SCENIC BYWAYS
PAGE 50
The lure of the open road is strong in Utah. No matter where you drive here,
there’s a scenic way to get where you’re going. These seven scenic byways
will fill your eyes with Utah’s iconic visual splendor.
HERITAGE & ARTS
PAGE 56
Utah has a variety of art and history destinations, as well as a vibrant art, theater,
film, festival and music scene. Utah’s pioneer and indigenous heritage is the
foundation, and our uniquely contemporary offerings include a thriving Olympic
spirit, inspiring earth art and rural artist communities.
BEFORE YOU GO & RESOURCES
PAGE 64
Traveling to Utah is an adventure. It helps to come prepared, always with a little
knowledge, sometimes with gear and supplies. Here are a few tips to help you
start planning and packing for Utah.
Join us
in keeping Utah
FOREVER MIGHTY ®
Utah welcomes all adventurers who care for people and place. As you travel through
Utah, we ask you to:
BE PREPARED FOR THE OUTDOORS
BE MINDFUL OF THE PLACES YOU VISIT
Forever Mighty means knowing how to Leave No Trace in the outdoors, support local
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for good on social media.
TRAVEL TIP #1:
TRAVEL TI
Utah is the place where prehistory intersects with the enduring spirit of
the Old West. Wild, adventure-rich places cradle vibrant urban centers.
With interstates and airplanes, the world can feel pretty small. On Utah’s
designated scenic byways, the world feels grand; its horizons seem
infinite. As you drive through Utah, you’ll inevitably encounter many of
the state’s scenic byways. In total, Utah’s distinct topography provides
the surface for 27 scenic byways, which add up to hundreds of miles of
vivid travel experiences wherein the road trip is as memorable as the
destination. Utah’s All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12 headlines the
network of top roads thanks to landscapes and heritage unlike anywhere
else in the nation.
All of Utah’s scenic byways are explorative journeys filled with trailheads,
scenic overlooks, museums, local flavors and vibrant communities
where you can stop for the night or hook up your RV. Not sure where
to start? In the following pages, you’ll discover monumental upheavals
of exposed rock strata among multiple national and state parks along
the All-American Road (pg. 4); dense concentrations of fossils along
Dinosaur Diamond (pg. 8); and the blazing red cliffs and deep blue
waters of Flaming Gorge–Uintas (pg. 12) — and that’s just in the first
three highlighted byways. Your journey continues down two dozen
additional byways, arranged north to south.
Best of all, these byways access an outdoor adventureland you can hike,
fish, bike, raft, climb and explore from sunup to sundown — then stay
up to welcome the return of the Milky Way. But get some sleep. There’s
more road ahead.
Vicki Varela
Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism, Film and Global Branding
2
Bear Lake
GARDEN CITY
15
84
1
LOGAN
30
16
BRIGHAM CITY
3
15
5
OGDEN
Great
Salt Lake
80
84
4
Flaming
Gorge
MANILA
ANTELOPE ISLAND
STATE PARK
SALT LAKE CITY
80
WENDOVER
150
11
191
PARK CITY
6
196
DINOSAUR
NTL. MONUMENT
VERNAL
7
TOOELE
8
35
40
PROVO
Utah
Lake
9
DUCHESNE
40
TIMPANOGOS CAVE
NTL. MONUMENT
12
191
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28
191
MANTI
CASTLE DALE
50
6
100
GREEN RIVER
10
FILLMORE
257
70
70
RICHFIELD
ARCHES
NATIONAL PARK
24
24
13
16
GOBLIN VALLEY
STATE PARK
25
MOAB
313
15
89
15
LOA
62
BEAVER
CAPITOL REEF
NATIONAL PARK
17
14
24
HANKSVILLE
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL PARK
TORREY
95
18
23
89
24
191
211
Co
lo
ra
do
130
12
ve
r
20
Ri
21
BOULDER
PAROWAN
CEDAR CITY
21
15
27
95
276
22
ZION
NATIONAL PARK
59
89
NATURAL BRIDGES
NTL. MONUMENT
BLANDING
95
BRYCE CANYON
NATIONAL PARK
9
ST. GEORGE
12
19
26
SNOW CANYON
STATE PARK
ESCALANTE
143
20
MONTICELLO
PANGUITCH
HOVENWEEP
NTL. MONUMENT
25
276
GRAND STAIRCASE–ESCALANTE
NATIONAL MONUMENT
261
BLUFF
163
491
SPRINGDALE
KANAB
MEXICAN HAT
89
Lake Powell
MONUMENT
VALLEY
191
FOUR CORNERS
MONUMENT
160
~ National Forest
~ National Park/Monument
•
City
Paved Road
Unpaved Road
=
Interstate
--------
1. Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway
2. Bear Lake Scenic Byway
3. Ogden River Scenic Byway
4. Great Salt Lake Legacy Parkway
5. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
6. Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway
7. Little Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway
8. Provo Canyon Scenic Byway
9. Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway
10. Energy Loop: Huntington & Eccles Canyon Ntl. Scenic Byway
11. Flaming Gorge–Uintas National Scenic Byway
12. Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway–Ntl. Scenic Byway
13. Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway
14. Potash–Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway
---
-----
15. Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway
16. Fish Lake Scenic Byway
17. Capitol Reef Country Scenic Byway
18. Scenic Byway 12 All-American Road
19. Utah’s Patchwork Parkway National Scenic Byway
20. Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway
21. Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway
22. Mount Carmel Scenic Byway
23. Bicentennial Highway
24. Indian Creek Scenic Byway
25. Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway
26. Kolob Fingers Road Scenic Byway
27. Zion Park Scenic Byway
GUIDE CONTENTS
HIGHLIGHTS
DINOSAUR DIAMOND PREHISTORIC
HIGHWAY NATIONAL SCENIC BY WAY
PAGE 08
ALL-AMERICAN ROAD:
SCENIC BYWAY 12
PAGE 04
Thor’s Hammer, Bryce Canyon National Park | Larry Price
Look for the
Geocaching logo
throughout this
guide to see how
many caches are
placed on or near
each byway
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, Vernal | Mark Osler
FLAMING GORGE – UINTAS
NATIONAL SCENIC BY WAY
PAGE 12
Flaming Gorge | Dan Ransom
~I
Explore more road
trips and itineraries at
visitutah.com/itineraries
.__ ________
02
visitutah.com/scenicbyways
__J
The Hogsback, All-American Highway: Scenic Byway 12 | Michael Kunde
NORTH TO SOUTH
LOGAN CANYON TO OGDEN RIVER SCENIC BY WAY LOOP
16
GREAT SALT LAKE LEGACY PARKWAY SCENIC BY WAY
20
MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BY WAY
21
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON SCENIC BY WAY
22
LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON SCENIC BY WAY
23
PROVO RIVER SCENIC BY WAY
24
NEBO LOOP