Goblin Valley State Park Is The Single Best State Park In Utah And It's Just Waiting To Be Explored
By Catherine Armstrong|Published July 19, 2021
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Utah’s state parks each have something unique to offer. Most have beautiful scenery, and many have large reservoirs for fishing, boating, and swimming. Others offer perspectives on the state’s history, featuring Native American dwellings or pioneer heritage sites. The parks are as varied as the people who live here, and there’s something for everyone.
The website Travel + Leisure recently named the best state park in each state, and the winning park in the Beehive State is one of our most unique.
Goblin Valley State Park is unlike any other place on earth. In fact, it's often been compared to the landscape of the moon, and has been a filming site for many sci-fi movies. Its vast landscape features thousands of oddly-shaped rock formations called hoodoos.
The park is nestled right in the middle of three national parks: Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. It's located just 12 miles from the little town of Hanksville.
This valley has one of the highest concentrations of hoodoos in the world. They were formed by erosion that occurred over millions of years.
Entrada sandstone was deposited here around 70 million years ago. It's embedded with siltstone and shale, which are much softer than the other rock layers in the area. Over time, cracks form in the rock, and it's slowly carved into the fantastical shapes and spires that you see today.
Lace up your hiking boots and get out there amongst the hoodoos for a magical, otherworldly experience. Six hiking trails criss-cross through the three square miles of the park, and you can also just wander around the valley, checking out the unique rock formations.
This place is a photographer's dream! The Three Sisters is a popular subject to capture. The three hoodoos stand on a bluff, elevated above the valley, and with some good timing, you can capture them under a beautiful sunset or starry sky.
After a day of adventure in the park, pitch your tent or pull your RV into the campground, which has 25 sites and 2 yurts. In addition to the incredible scenery, you'll enjoy hot showers and flush toilets during your stay.
Campers also enjoy night skies filled with millions of stars. Goblin Valley State Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park. The lack of light pollution means that you'll be able to see the Milky Way, which isn't typically visible near the bright lights of Utah's towns and cities.
Goblin Valley State Park is accessible year-round. If you visit during summer months, make sure to wear clothing that protects you from the sun, and bring plenty of water.
Have you visited Goblin Valley State Park recently? We’d love to hear about your trip! You can learn more about the park and its amenities on the Utah State Parks website.
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