This Utah State Park Looks Like It Belongs on Another Planet — Complete With Otherworldly Rock Formations

Goblin Valley's short, twisted, colorful hoodoos, affectionately known as "goblins," put this Utah state park on the map. "One of my favorite things about this area is the diversity of the geology," says Jason Willard, a Goblin Valley area guide. "The scenery constantly changes, and there's so much to see and explore — lifetimes of exploration out here."

Willard's enthusiasm is shared by the thousands of visitors a year who wander the park's untamed valleys, a geological playhouse unlike any other park in the nation. Goblin Valley occupies a unique position along the celebrated loop of Utah's " Mighty Five " national parks — Zion , Bryce Canyon , Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands . "We're kind of in the middle of that loop," Drew Sprafke, park manager at Goblin Valley State Park, explains. The park is a worthy destination on its own, but if you're in the area anyway, you better stop by.

To help you make the most of your time, here's everything you need to know to set yourself up for a successful trip to Goblin Valley State Park.

How to Get There Goblin Valley is remote. It's about four hours from Salt Lake City International Airport and about 2.5 hours from Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado, and there's no public transportation. So you need a vehicle, be it your own or a rental. "Goblin Valley is usually visited in conjunction with the other national parks. It's right between Arches and Capitol Reef, about halfway. People typically fly in, rent cars, and do the whole loop, seeing all five national parks. The easiest way to get there is to rent a car and drive on paved roads to the state park," says Willard.

Know Before You Go The number one thing you have to know before you travel out to Goblin Valley State Park is that it has limited amenities. You're 30 miles from the closest town, tiny Hanksville, which has few facilities, and 50 minutes from the slightly larger town of Green River. Before you make the trek, you need to prepare for the adventure; you need enough fuel, a spare tire, and enough water. "It's a lot of fun, you just need to be prepared for it," Sprafke says. The area also has little cell service, so secure a physical map. "We do have Wi-Fi at our visitor center, but a lot of people lose their mapping. We do a lot of search and rescues in the surrounding area," Sprafke warns.

Once you pay your entry fee ($20 for a private vehicle), how you experience the park is entirely up to you. If you don't have much time, you could spend a couple of hours walking around, or even an hour if you're in a rush. "Some people just stop, walk around, and head out because of time constraints between parks," Willard says. However, both experts recommend a whole afternoon to get the most out of the park and surrounding area. "Two days with an overnight stay nearby would be ideal because there are a lot of things just outside of the park worth seeing as well," Sparfke says.

Goblin Valley is dog-friendly, so leashed four-legged friends can hike the valley and trails alongside you. The park is also great for small children. "Kids love it more than their parents do," Sprafke says. If you're traveling with little adventurers, check out the popular Junior Ranger program that features a booklet of fun activities to check off.

Note that there are some accessibility limitations. "We don't have a good accessible route into the Valley of the Goblins, so those with mobility disabilities will have difficulty getting beyond the viewpoint. However, they can still have a good experience at the viewpoints, and we offer a reduced rate for those individuals," says Sprafke.

Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Goblin Valley State Park is in the spring and fall because the weather is fantastic — but take heed, that's also when the park is most popular. If you come in the high season between March and June, September and November, or on a holiday weekend, arrive early in the morning or after 5 p.m. because of limited parking spots. Once the lot's full, it's a one-in, one-out situation, and you might end up in line for over an hour.

Summers are less busy, but that can be a dicey time to visit because of the heat and other weather events. "We have monsoon seasons that can cause flooding," Willard warns. However, he likes how quiet the park is in the off-season. "There are fewer crowds in the winter, so don't be afraid to visit in the winter," he says.

Best Things to Do Explore the Valley of the Goblins. "The number one thing to do if you come to Goblin Valley is to see the Valley of the Goblins, which is where all the hoodoos are that make this park famous," says Sprafke. The valley is unofficially divided into three sections: the First Valley, a mostly flat area with stunted goblins; the Second Valley, marked by a large gray dome with slightly taller goblins; and the Third Valley.

Meandering across all three valleys is especially fun if you're accustomed to parks that restrict you to a trail. In the Valley of the Goblins, you can hike wherever you want — you can climb up the canyons, explore little nooks, and spend an entire day among the hoodoos. There are unofficial trails, like the Goblin Valley Trail , but the fun is in having no agenda. Willard puts it best: "Wander wherever your eye takes you," he says.

Stargaze and spot the Milky Way. "We're a certified Dark Sky Park with one of the darkest skies around. Experiencing that can be magical," Sprafke says. He recommends you come out for one of the park's programs where rangers lead events like full-moon hikes and star parties with campfire s'mores. Willard agrees: "The Milky Way views are unparalleled," he says. "Even if you're not camping, you can stay late enough to catch the stars before driving back."

Take a backroads trip. One of the best ways to experience Goblin Valley State Park and the surrounding area is to take the back roads. If you have seven to nine hours, book a 4X4 vehicle tour . "You see a lot of cool scenery," Willard says. Most people miss this because they don't have the time or know it's an option. Keep your eyes peeled for pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and foxes.

Be adventurous. If you're a thrill-seeker, the area in and around Goblin Valley is rich in adrenaline-pumping activities. "Some outfitters do canyoneering in Goblins Lair, where they provide training and equipment for rappelling," Willard says. There's also a disc golf course and mountain bike trails, though you'll need to rent bikes if you're not traveling with your own two wheels.

Best Hikes The Goblins Lair If canyoneering doesn't suit your travel style, you can also hike the three-mile Goblins Lair Trail. "It takes you behind the valley through a cave feature with a couple of windows to the sky. It's a popular hike but requires some scrambling and is a little strenuous," says Sprafke.

The Carmel Canyon Loop The Carmel Canyon Loop is a must-do for panoramic vistas of the Carmel Goblin formation, Molly's Castle outcrop, and the iconic Three Sisters. Don't be fooled by the short distance — the 1.2 rocky miles can be tough if you're not in shape.

The Three Sisters Perhaps the most iconic of all the goblin rock formations is the Three Sisters. "It's the only named goblin we have, and it's on the way to the Valley of the Goblins. It's a great photo spot and a super short hike if you're not feeling energetic. It's only about 250 yards, so it's a great place to get your selfie," Sprafke says.

Little Wild Horse Canyon Just outside Goblin Valley lies one of Utah's most popular slot canyons, Little Wild Horse Canyon. "We're connected to an area known as the San Rafael Swell, which is a 30-mile by 70-mile geologic feature similar to a national monument without that designation," Sprafke says. This massive area is fantastic for outdoor activities, like riding off-highway vehicles, hiking, and canyoneering. "People come from all over the world for it, so I highly recommend adding it to your list," Sprafke says. Willard also loves this hike, with a caveat: "Stay on top of the weather during monsoon season because of flash flood risks."

Places to Stay If you want to stay in Goblin Valley, the on-site campground is a prime choice — but it's also highly sought after. "Our campground is very popular but very small. We open reservations on a four-month rolling basis, and in spring and fall, we book out every single day," Sprafke says. The key to snagging a spot? Plan well in advance. The park also has two yurts: "They're canvas-sided cabins with heat in the winter and small coolers in the summer," Sprafke says, adding that these cozy accommodations are a favorite among visitors.

Not everyone has months to plan, though — and that's where dispersed camping comes in. Goblin Valley State Park and the surrounding areas are home to dispersed camping sites on state and federal lands. "If you're prepared for self-contained camping, it's a great option," says Sprafke. This more rugged style of camping allows you to enjoy the park without the hassle of securing a formal reservation.

You can find a few indoor accommodation options, though they'll require a bit of a drive. The nearest hotel, Whispering Sands Motel , is in Hanksville, about 30-45 minutes away. "There are a few cabins and an RV park in Hanksville, too," Willard says. "You can also stay in Green River, which is about 45 minutes away, or in Torrey, near Capitol Reef, which is about an hour and 40 minutes away."

Places to Eat If you're looking for a bite nearby, Hanksville has a few options: "There's Stan's Silver Eagle , a burger shop that also does shakes and ice cream. It's popular with the Lake Powell crowd," Sprafke says. "There's also The Outlaw Roost , which does burritos and healthy Mexican food." Duke's Slickrock Grill is an option for a sit-down meal. Just keep an eye out for limited hours during the off-season.