Playing Like a Kid in Goblin Valley State Park
Location
Goblin Valley State Park is located in what looks like the middle of nowhere in Green River, Utah. Not knowing what laid in store for us, we stopped by this remarkable state park while traveling from Moab, Utah to Capital Reef National Park.
We learned about this small state park from a YouTube video of hikers we watch. We traveled West on Highway 70 and turned off on State Route 24. We had to take a couple of turns in the long stretch of Utah desert to reach it. In fact, on our way we questioned our GPS several times.
The mostly bleak landscape prior to reaching the park provides no indication of the amazing geological sandstone features that lie ahead. Even when arriving at the Visitor Center, you will question whether it is worth the $20 day entrance fee per car to visit.
However, hold onto your hats, because once you pay the fee and head inside the park, you will discover a playground that will hold your attention for hours.
Day Visit
By looking at the pictures of this astonishing park, you cannot imagine how fun it is to play among the goblins. There are signs that warn about falling and it seems there have been some injuries in the park. I can see why, as all I wanted to do when we arrived was climb around the goblins. Just pay attention and be aware while you are running amuck that the goblins, like any landscape feature, are eroding.
I am afraid we did climb and run and play amongst the goblins, against the sign warning. As you hike the valley past the smaller goblins, you reach the back walls where your imagination runs wild. I saw castles, moats, and fountains that must be investigated and explored.
As soon as we reached the back, we both went separate ways, searching, wandering, and climbing. We investigated crevices, walked bridges, and climbed hills. There is nothing quite like Goblin Valley State Park to make you feel five years old again.
We spent several hours traversing the goblins, laughing and playing. We only left when we heard thunder and saw rain in the background.
Hikes
If you must hike a designated route at the park, you have several choices. You have the ominous sounding Goblin’s Lair, which is 1.5 miles one way and considered strenuous. The moderate Carmel Canyon Loop and Entrada Canyon trails are both only 1.5 miles roundtrip.
And, if you want easy trails, you can hike the Curtis Bench Trail, 1.5 miles one way, or The Three Sisters which is only 250 yards.
We didn’t hike any of these trails. As soon as we parked at the main parking and saw all the goblins, we could not contain our excitement to go play among the goblins! Even Jessica did not want to hike on the outskirts or climb to views of the Valley. Instead we took off straight down to Goblin Valley.
Camping
Unfortunately, we only spent a day in this park. However, we believe it would be a great place to spend the night. Goblin Valley State Park is part of the International Dark Sky Park and we imagine the night sky at the park would leave you in awe. You can visit the park’s website for the Dark Sky Forecast to plan your uninterrupted views of the celestial sky.
The nightly fee for camping at the park is $45. This does include the $20 entrance fee. There are no hookups at the campground. But at the Visitor Center, the park has a water spigot that anyone can use to fill their fresh water tanks.
We would have stayed in the campground for a night if we had been pulling our travel trailer. To see the open night sky at this park and spend more time playing with the goblins would have been a blast! It was definitely better than the boondocking spot we picked right before Capital Reef National Park.
Conclusion
It may not look like much when you are driving to this state park and you may not think it is worth visiting. But you will be surprised.
If you want to run, laugh, and play like children again, do not bypass this park. It is in the middle of nowhere and you might not think it is worth visiting. But you would be wrong.
When you do visit, plan on at least several hours to play among the goblins. Leave your adult self in the car. Instead, let the park transport you back to your childhood, where your imagination and playful nature takes control. You will be running, climbing, and giggling before you know it.