Exploring Goblin Valley
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Added by Rebecca Stubbs
Enjoyable for all skill levels. No established paths so you can wander wherever you want. Nice picnic area/campground.
Goblin Valley Can entertain you for 1 hour or 10. There are no established trails, so you are free to wander around the entire park. There are cliffs to climb, slot canyons to explore and hoodoos to discover. From the parking area, you descend about 100 feet into the valley. Once you are down there, the whole place is fairly flat unless you decide to climb on things.
One of my favorite things to do is climb up the back wall and look out at the view beyond the valley. It is a drastic difference - a flat, barren landscape.
There is a covered picnic area and restrooms located at the parking lot. I have been here in every season and it is enjoyable each time! The crowds are definitely smaller the winter. No matter what time of year, make sure you see the goblins "hoodoos" after dark. There is a completely different feel to the landscape and the park has some of the darkest skies in the nation which provides opportunity for some great photos of the stars!
To hike to Goblin's Lair and Carmel Canyon learn more here. For camping, check out this adventure.
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Hike Crack Canyon!
We skipped the entrance fee to the park and went on to Crack Canyon Trail. We went in the afternoon in mid-August, even thought it was hot, there was great shade. Coming from Moab, it was a great relief to be the only ones on the trail and in the parking lot that afternoon. We can't back on the "main" road at Temple Mountain Campground. They had bathrooms and shaded picnic tables, but no other facilities. Bring plenty of water into the area.
5.0
Middle of nowhere
I didn't fully comprehend just how far "out there" this place was. It really makes you feel like you're on another planet, as the rock formations are other worldly. Highly recommend swinging through for a couple hours if you're visiting Capitol Reef!
5.0
Hoo-Doo woo hoo!
This park was amazing ! Kristi who worked at the visitor center gave us awesome recommendations and was so friendly. We hiked the valley of hoo doos for a couple hours. Be sure to bring lots of water ! We camped outside the park, and our spot was close to some slot canyons. Highly recommend this gem!
5.0
Great for Kids
Fun spot between Arches and Capital Reef. Spent a few hours and covered most of the park.
3.0
Mars?
Visit for an out of this world experience! The rock formations are crazy cool.
4.0
So Fun!
I loved this place. It's definitely in a remote area of Utah but I love it. All the goblins and structures are super neat. There are 3 valleys to explore and I went to all of them. I think the coolest thing I saw was a family with bright colored shirts playing hide-and-go seek around the park for hours. I'll definitely do that with my kids someday. And photographing it was super fun. Especially closer to sunset. The silhouette shots are neat and a lot of the goblin structures looked like other things - like a turtle or a centaur. I haven't camped inside the park but the camping spots there seem pretty awesome. However, if you are strapped on cash, there is plenty of free camping spots on the BLM land right outside of the park. That's where I camped. Definitely primitive but great views. For more info on camping on BLM land, go to BLM.gov
5.0
Tunnels And Awesomeness
Awesome tunnels to find in the cliffs. Stellar playground for running around having a good time
5.0
Beautiful and remote spot. It's hard to make great images here but there's lots of other fun to be had.
4.0
Very unique place - fun to explore. Would be great for kids.
4.0
Better than disneyland
This is one of the coolest places for kids to explore. I came here when I was super young and still remember how blown away I was and how much fun I had exploring the mazes of rock formations. If you want to get your kids stoked on camping and the outdoors, bring them to goblin valley.
5.0
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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
Nearby Adventures
Hike to Goblin's Lair and Carmel Canyon
Camp at Goblin Valley
Hiking Little Wild Horse Canyon & Bell Canyon Loop
Photographing Dutchman's Arch
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