Goblin Valley State Park
Soft Entrada sandstone erodes into a broad basin of squat, mushroom-shaped goblins that visitors can explore at ground level.
Artwork inspired by James Taylor Harwood
Unlike Bryce’s tall amphitheater hoodoos, Goblin Valley’s formations sit close together on an open floor where visitors may wander among them. Differential erosion leaves harder caps protecting softer sandstone, creating shapes that change with viewpoint rather than forming one official route.
Navigation is the practical challenge. Choose a recognizable edge, carry an offline map, and turn around periodically to learn the return view. Do not climb fragile goblins or enter washes when storms threaten; the freedom to roam depends on visitors minimizing damage.
- Rock
- Entrada sandstone
- Movement
- Open wandering area
- Allow
- 2–4 hours
Quick guide
- Route question
- Goblin Valley floor ↔ Mushroom hoodoos
- Final evidence
- Dark night sky
Quick guide
- Begin
- Survey the basin from Goblin Overlook before descending.
- Navigate
- Keep a fixed rim landmark behind or ahead of you.
- Look closer
- Compare caprock with the softer pedestal beneath it.
- Protect
- Do not climb, carve, or squeeze fragile formations.
Good to know
There is little shade and no marked path through much of the goblin basin. Families should establish a turnaround time and reunion point before separating. Nearby slot canyons are separate technical objectives and must not be treated as an automatic extension of a park visit.
Notice these
- Goblin Valley floor
- Mushroom hoodoos
- Dark night sky