Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park, State park with rock formations in Emery County, United States
Thousands of red sandstone formations called hoodoos spread across the desert landscape, creating shapes similar to mushrooms and strange creatures.
The area transformed into a protected park in 1964 after years of attention from tourists who discovered its geological formations following World War II.
The park gained international recognition when it served as an extraterrestrial filming location for the 1999 science fiction movie Galaxy Quest.
The park offers designated camping areas, hiking trails without marked paths, and observation points that allow visitors to explore the rock formations.
The International Dark Sky Park designation enables visitors to observe celestial objects through some of the clearest night skies in North America.
Location: Emery County
Inception: 1964
Elevation above the sea: 1,517 m
Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/stateparks/parks/goblin-valley
GPS coordinates: 38.56670,-110.71000
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:46
Utah preserves thousands of years of human history alongside some of North America's most varied geological landscapes. The region contains extensive rock art panels and Ancestral Pueblo ruins, including the 13th-century stone structures at Bears Ears National Monument and the 650-plus petroglyphs carved into Newspaper Rock over two millennia. Fremont Indian State Park displays more than 1,000 artifacts from the indigenous peoples who inhabited these lands, while fossilized dinosaur tracks near Moab record the passage of Allosaurus and Diplodocus across ancient mudflats 150 million years ago. The natural environment ranges from the sculpted sandstone formations of Goblin Valley, where erosion has created mushroom-shaped rocks rising 20 feet (6 meters) from the desert floor, to the narrow passages of Kanarra Creek Canyon with its red walls and cascading waterfalls. The Wedge Overlook reveals 1,000-foot (300-meter) cliffs above the San Rafael River, while Monroe's thermal springs emerge from the ground at 110°F (43°C). Whether exploring slot canyons, examining ancient handprints on rock walls, or walking among eroded sandstone formations, visitors encounter landscapes that document both geological processes spanning millions of years and the enduring presence of human cultures in this high desert region.
Bluejohn Canyon
43.1 km
Robbers Roost
31.3 km
Waterpocket Fold
53.2 km
Factory Butte
22.9 km
Mount Ellen
51.8 km
Elijah Cutler Behunin Cabin
51.1 km
Navajo Dome
54.1 km
Bottleneck Peak and Moon
55 km
Fruita Schoolhouse
56.3 km
San Rafael Bridge
57.4 km
Ekker Butte
38.9 km
Cathedral Valley Corral
56.4 km
Lesley Morrell Line Cabin and Corral
57.8 km
Hickman Natural Bridge
55.1 km
Horseshoe Canyon Archeological District
45.4 km
Wedge Overlook
59 km
Little Grand Canyon
59.5 km
Kathline Rock
12.3 km
Little Wild Horse Canyon
13.7 km
Hickman Bridge Trail
54.7 km
Carl’s Critter Garden
21.4 km
Bell Canyon
8.7 km
Cohab Canyon
54.9 km
Swasey's Cabin
31.1 km
Eagle Canyon Arch
33.2 km
Eagle Canyon
51.1 km
Eagle Canyon Bridge
35.3 km
Dutchman Arch
34.7 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes