Utah is full of interesting rock formations of all kinds. From Devil’s Slide in northern Utah, to the majestic spires of Bryce Canyon National Park, if a landscape full of sandstone carved over millions of years by erosion is your gig, this is surely heaven on earth.
It’s impossible not to be blown away by the Beehive State’s unique geology, and the hoodoos at Goblin Valley are no exception. Take a stroll through this valley filled with odd rock formations.
Welcome to Goblin Valley State Park! This under-appreciated park sits right in the middle of Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.
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While the park’s landscape shares some characteristics with the national parks surrounding it, the rock formations here are unique in their shape, size, and number.
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There are literally thousands of hoodoos in a three-square mile area of the park, and they’re pretty fascinating.
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Like many of Utah’s rock formations, they’re made of different layers of sandstone. Some of the layers are softer than others, and over millions of years, erosion has carved them into the odd shapes you see today.
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The base of the hoodoos is made up of Entrada sandstone, which was left here more than 170 million years ago. It’s made up of sand and silt, and is fairly soft. Then, a layer called the Curtis Formation sits on top. It’s a much harder sandstone, which is more resistant to weathering.
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The caps that top these little “goblins” are made of the Curtis Formation, which is why they’re larger than the cone shaped pillar below.
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Every hoodoo is unique, and they’re all fascinating. You’ll find some that look like overgrown mushrooms, some that could be perceived as odd goblin-shaped specters, and others that are stately columns.
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Some formations are unique enough to have earned names. This is the Three Sisters, with Temple Mountain in the background.
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It’s difficult to understand the size and scope of Goblin Valley unless you’re there in person. This photo shows just how huge some of the goblins tower in comparison to the hiker next to them.
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The park offers four hiking trails that are perfect for exploration, but you can also just wander through the Goblin Valleys, going from one goblin to the next.
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The Carmel Canyon, Curtis Bench, Entrada Canyon, and Goblin’s Lair trails offer a range of different experiences in the park.
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Goblin Valley State Park is fairly large, and there’s plenty to explore here, so it’s definitely worthwhile to spend the night.
Ueli Frischknecht/Tripadvisor The campground has 25 sites; 10 walk-in tent sits, 14 RV pads, and one group site. Two yurts are also available for a unique stay.
Learn more about the rock formations at Goblin Valley on its website, and follow the park’s Facebook page so you can see all the cool events held at this state park throughout the year.
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The campground has 25 sites; 10 walk-in tent sits, 14 RV pads, and one group site. Two yurts are also available for a unique stay.
Goblin Valley isn’t home to creepy Halloween goblins, but we have a bunch of places throughout the state that have spine-chilling names. They might sound spooky, but they’re actually delightful, and you should check them out in our article here.
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Address: Goblin Valley State Park, Goblin Valley Rd, Green River, UT 84525, USA
