After exploring the otherworldly wonders of Moab, consider packing a lunch and making a day trip to Goblin Valley State Park. Activities here include hiking, mountain biking, ranger programs, and access to OHV trails — but trust us when we tell you that all you'll want to do is explore the field of sandstone "goblins." The park lets visitors explore freely through the "Valley of the Goblins," a free-roaming area that spans nearly three square miles. Visitors can also choose to explore marked trails.
The "goblins" are really sandstone hoodoos, the same geologic feature that is found in Bryce Canyon National Park. The sandstone these features are made of was deposited about 170 million years ago, when this area was a tidal flat next to an ancient sea. According to the State Park, "the goblins' unearthly shapes are formed from the interbedded sandstone through a process called spherodial weathering."
Distance from Moab: 100 miles (62 kms)
Drive Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Hours: Year-round, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entrance Fee: $20 for a private vehicle pass. National Park passes (including the America the Beautiful pass) aren’t accepted here, as this is a state park.
The crusty sand you see next to the trail is actually alive! It’s “biocrust”, a living skin of microorganisms like lichen and fungi that bind sand together and retain moisture. Those little guys are the reason why many of our plants can thrive in the desert.
Help protect the desert: this soil crust is exceptionally delicate, and can be crushed easily. Please stay on designated roads and trails while exploring in Moab.
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