Exploring Goblin Valley: Valleys 1, 2, and 3!

Rock formations at sunset in Valley 1, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Rock formations at sunset in Valley 1

If you spend much time on forums about hiking in Utah, you’re sure to hear about Goblin Valley State Park. It’s doubly true if someone is asking about hiking with kids in Utah. You see, while there are trails (Caramel Cayon and the Goblin’s Lair were very neat), the real draw of Goblin Valley are Valley 1, Valley 2, and Valley 3 – three connected areas filled with little rock spires. I ended up exploring all three areas on one hike, and they’re all exceptional (though I do think Valley 2 has my vote for “best”). No trails access or split any of the three, so you’re really on your own out here!

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 8.75 miles Trail Type: Multi-spur Elevation Gain: 1,305ft. Pets: Leashed Fees: $20/vehicle

Looking down on Valley 1 from a small hill in Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Looking down on Valley 1 from a small hill

Before you start worrying about being lost, it’s a small enough area that it would be hard to get too lost as long as you have a decent sense of direction. I’d still recommend taking a GPS or (better) a compass just in case – if you get lost, you can always head north; sooner or later, you’ll run out of rock formations, at which point you can turn due left (west) to get back to the parking area.

Descending into Valley 1 from the parking area, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Descending into Valley 1 from the parking area

Start by descending the stairs from the parking area. There are two ways to get down: one by the restrooms at the far end and the other a little bit to the left. I recommend the left (northern) stairs, as they drop you directly into Valley 1.

Two of the "goblins" (rock spires) in Valley 1, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Two of the “goblins” (rock spires) in Valley 1

Explore to your heart’s content. Morning was fine, but I had more fun in the evening wandering around the spires and rock formations. A school group came along at one point; the teachers sent off all the kids to play hide and seek, then happily watched them play for the next couple of hours.

Sunstar in one of the rock formations in Valley 1, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Sunstar in one of the rock formations in Valley 1

I eventually wandered right (south) after more or less heading straight across Valley 1 to the hills on the other side. (I did go left for a while, but the rock formations quickly ran out.) I scrambled up and down some of the low hills; the views were interesting from above.

Looking down over Valley 1 (and possibly Valley 2) toward the San Rafael Swell, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Looking down over Valley 1 (and possibly Valley 2) toward the San Rafael Swell

Before I knew it, I was dropping (exploring?) into Valley 2. The valley is simply chock-full of little goblins! By heading east, I found a canyon and decided to follow it upstream.

Rock formations and a puddle while hiking up our first canyon off of Valley 2 in Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Rock formations and a puddle while hiking up our first canyon

Following that canyon was one of the best decisions I made that day. The canyon itself is a fun scramble (note the scramble part), and it’s filled with spires, arches, and rock formations.

Looking through an arch to more rock formations in the first canyon off of Valley 2, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Looking through an arch to more rock formations in the first canyon

Wow!!

Another arch near the head of the first canyon off of Valley 2, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Another arch near the head of the first canyon

We finally reached the head of the canyon. What to do from here?

Nearing the head of the first canyon off of Valley 2, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Nearing the head of the first canyon

I managed via a Cass 3+ scramble to get up the last area of dryfalls and onto the mesa.

Looking down over the side of the mesa to a host of rock formations, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Looking down over the side of the mesa to a host of rock formations

From the mesa top, we had a fantastic view. We could also look over and generally see where the top of the Goblin’s Lair would be (people do repel into it from above, but I don’t think they usually use this canyon to get up here).

Looking down into Valley 2 from the top of the mesa, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Looking down into Valley 2 from the top of the mesa

And where to go from here? Down another canyon, of course!

Hiking down the second canyon off of Valley 2, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Hiking down the second canyon

This one required a sketchy Class 4 descent down a slippery, gravelly dryfall, but we all made it down somehow. Then it was a fun scramble downcanyon with more amazing rock formations, arches, and spires!

A rock formation in the second canyon off of Valley 2, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — A rock formation in the second canyon

At the bottom of the canyon, we headed out through more formations, turned left up one more canyon (why not, right?), backtracked down it (it really wasn’t worth exploring), and then continued what was now left (and would have been right from the parking area; aka south) into Valley 3.

Looking down on Valley 3 from the hills that separate Valleys 2 and 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Looking down on Valley 3 from the hills that separate Valleys 2 and 3

Now, what we should have done was to walk west out to the wash, then go left, then exit the wash to go up to Valley 3. However, we didn’t feel like it, so we went up and over one of the badland hills that separates the two valleys. This was not much fun, since it was steep and slippery in many places. But we did eventually make it down the other side.

Walking through Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Walking through Valley 3

We’d actually been in Valley 3 the evening before on our way back from Red Canyon (which is an interesting adventure all on its own). Because of what we’d explored the night before, we decided to head up the first valley we found (basically heading north). This one was filled with small spires.

Hiking up the fourth canyon out of Valley 3 - it narrowed quickly, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Hiking up the fourth canyon out of Valley 3 – it narrowed quickly

We eventually found a watercourse and followed it upstream (after all, that had worked pretty well in Valley 2). It went through a few rocks before taking us to a real, honest-to-goodness cave.

Inside the cave at the end of the fourth canyon off Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Inside the cave at the end of the fourth canyon

I’m really not sure that the cave was all that safe, but the dirt and rocks around it seemed solid enough (it would not be safe at all if the dirt was wet and soft). My hiking companion had brought along his headlamp against the possibility of getting caught outside after dark (not a bad idea considering the last two evenings had seen us getting back to the van at or after sunset). He used it to his best advantage (and mine) while I tried to get some slow shutter speed shots in hopes of being able to see the inside of the cave after I got home, if not right at that moment.

One of my group members exploring the cave off of Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — One of my group members exploring the cave

The cave didn’t go terribly far back, but we explored what we could before crawling back out. From there, we walked back down the wash, turned left (south) and found another wash that headed generally east and then north into the hills. This one was much longer, if nowhere near as good as the canyons in Valley 2. The wash wound upward between badlands, eventually plateauing in white valleys. There were no real rock formations or spires here, but it was still pretty.

Up in the fifth canyon - much of the canyon was white instead of red - off of Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Up in the fifth canyon – much of the canyon was white instead of red

By this point, the day was warm and we were tired (it was mid-afternoon). We didn’t really feel like scrambling back over hill and dale to Valley 2, so we figured we’d drop into the Red Canyon wash and hike back up. That would have been a great idea, but we ended up hiking over badland hills and down gullies until we finally dropped into the correct wash. I think if we’d headed left (south) and skirted the hills (by heading west), it would have worked out better.

Hiking up Red Canyon once we finally (finally!) dropped into it from Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Hiking up Red Canyon once we finally (finally!) dropped into it

Once we were finally in the Red Canyon wash, we could turn right and follow the route (you can’t possibly call it a trail) back up to the stairway above Valley 1 to the parking lot that will end you up right by the restrooms!

I call this formation "Two Turtles" in the first canyon off of Valley 2, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — I call this formation “Two Turtles”

Round Trip Trail Length: I went 8.75 miles – your mileage will vary considerably depending on how much you scramble around.

Elevation Gain: I did 1,305ft. (4,851ft. to 5,034ft.), but that’s probably exaggerating slightly (my GPS isn’t always 100% accurate in tight canyons)

A common side-blotched lizard in Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — A common side-blotched lizard in Valley 3

Facilities: Restrooms at the trailhead

Fees: $20, valid until 10pm the following day. We arrived at 8am on Thursday, so our entry fee was valid until 10pm on Friday (and we made good use of it!) If you arrived at 11pm on Thursday, it would still be good until 10pm on Friday.

Rock formations in the first canyon off of Valley 2, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Rock formations in the first canyon

Trail Notes: There is no trail; it’s much more of a “what can we find when we explore?” than a “let’s find a specific feature!” Even trying to describe it here was difficult since we generally just did what looked good to us. If you follow in my footsteps, realize that there was a fair amount of scrambling in places, often up to a Class 3 and occasionally a Class 4 move. My favorite part was Valley 2, but Valley 3 was also unique and fun. The further you get from the parking area, the more chance you have to be by yourself – most people don’t even get to Valley 2, and even fewer get to Valley 3. Bring plenty of water and a compass or GPS to get back if you get lost among the formations. One of the draws of Goblin Valley is that drones are allowed (with a permit – ask at the visitor center). Sunrise and sunset are fantastic times to take pictures if you can swing it; I found sunset to be especially beautiful.

Just before sunset in Valley 1, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Just before sunset in Valley 1

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

Rock spires above Valley 3. Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Rock spires above Valley 3

GPS Coordinates for Goblin Valleys 1, 2, and 3

TH: 38.5641990°, -110.7033280° (38°33.85194′, -110°42.19968′ / 38°33’51.1164″, -110°42’11.9808″) (4,964ft.) (0.0)

Valley 1 sign: 38.5635060°, -110.7031390° (38°33.81036′, -110°42.18834′ / 38°33’48.6216″, -110°42’11.3004″) (4,948ft.) (316ft.)

Animal tracks in the mud in Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Animal tracks in the mud in Valley 3

Valley 2 sign: 38.5568570°, -110.7027970° (38°33.41142′, -110°42.16782′ / 38°33’24.6852″, -110°42’10.0692″) (4,903ft.) (1.68)

Valley 3 sign: 38.5497550°, -110.7024670° (38°32.98530′, -110°42.14802′ / 38°32’59.1180″, -110°42’08.8812″) (4,882ft.) (4.65)

Interesting rock formations and spires in the fourth canyon (off of Valley 3), Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Interesting rock formations and spires in the fourth canyon

Meet Red Canyon Trail: 38.5495700°, -110.7059600° (38°32.97420′, -110°42.35760′ / 38°32’58.4520″, -110°42’21.4560″) (4,883ft.) (7.35)

End: 38.5639230°, -110.7036990° (38°33.83538′, -110°42.22194′ / 38°33’50.1228″, -110°42’13.3164″) (4,964ft.) (8.73)

A plateau side-blotched lizard peering out of a hole in the side of the fourth canyon off of Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — A plateau side-blotched lizard peering out of a hole in the side of the fourth canyon

The gpx file for my exploration of Goblin Valley 1, Valley 2, and Valley 3 can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 209.9 KB Downloaded 1 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website. Thanks!)

Spires above the fourth canyon off of Valley 3, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Spires above the fourth canyon

Getting to the Goblin Valley Trailhead

From the Goblin Valley State Park Entrance Station, drive south for 0.5 miles. Turn left, following the sign for the Valley of Goblins. The road will end in a parking area 0.7 miles later. The trailhead is to the right of the pavilion before you reach the restrooms.

Evening in Valley 1, Goblin Valley State Park, Utah — Evening in Valley 1

If you also need to get to the entrance station: From I-70, take Exit 149 to UT-24. Turn south and drive 24.2 miles (this turn is on the left, 13.3 miles north of Hanksville, if you’re coming from the south). The junction will be signed for Goblin Valley State Park. Drive 5.2 miles, then turn left (stay on the paved road) for 6.4 miles to the entrance station.

Visual route map and elevation profile for my exploration of Valleys 1, 2, and 3 in Goblin Valley State Park

More Hikes in Southern Utah

Over two hundred trails find their way into this guide to southern Utah (and a few just over the border into Colorado and Arizona). It’s also one of the few hiking guides that covers Goblin Valley as well as more popular parks. Buy your copy here!