Goblin Valley State Park•Utah

00:00     Title
00:14     Molly's Castle Trail
06:27     Goblin Valley
25:01     Fin

Just when a tourist thinks that they have already experienced the world's oddest landscapes in central Utah, Goblin Valley rises to the occasion as the crown jewel of the weirdest of them all! Goblin Valley State Park certainly is strange beyond belief and the visual experience will provide plenty of memories to ponder over for many years to come. Wind and water erosion over eons of time have sculpted this amazing landscape into monumental red rock formations, towering rock spire walls and thousands of unique geological oddities known as hoodoos, which truly are a mesmerizing sight to see!

Goblin Valley State Park has a large campground with amenities and it is actually winterized, so off-season camping is an option. This park offers several hiking trails that go through unique scenic areas, which include places where towering gigantic hoodoos and balanced rocks stand. The visitor center and campground are located on the high ground, while a pavilion picnic area and scenic overlook can be found on the rim of Goblin Valley. Be prepared to be totally captivated at this overlook, because the first view of the army of goblins literally looks like some kind of a fantasyland imagery!

At the hilltop viewing area there is an easy staircase pathway descending into Goblin Valley and this is where the official trail ends. Visitors are free to roam anywhere they wish in this endless maze of red rock goblins, so feel free to take a closer look at each one. After a few minutes of wandering around these smooth sculpted red sandstone oddities, the experience is so absorbing that it is very easy to completely forget about the ordinary existence way back home. 

Because exploring Goblin Valley is such a captivating experience, it is very easy to forget about the reality of this high desert environment, which can leave a hiker parched on a sunny day. The temptation to wander much further than planned will likely takeover, especially after discovering the hidden goblin canyons on the other side of the valley. Be sure to pack plenty of water for the hiking venture, because once the creepy goblins realize you are there, they will not allow you to escape anytime soon!