National park · United States
Goblin Valley State Park
Enter Goblin Valley State Park for $30 per vehicle, hike the Goblin Gulch loop (1.5 km (0.9 mi), easy) in spring or fall, and camp at the park campground; avoid July‑August heat.Enter Goblin Valley State Park for $30 per vehicle, hike the Goblin Gulch loop (0.9 mi (1.5 km), easy) in spring or fall, and camp at the park campground; avoid July‑August heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²)
- Park covers about 27 km² of sandstone hoodoo formations; figures may vary slightly.
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Goblin Valley State Park in eastern Utah offers a surreal landscape of hoodoos accessible via short, easy trails, making it ideal for families and casual hikers.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteUtah State Park
Size and age
27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²) · national park since 1964
Park covers about 27 km² of sandstone hoodoo formations; figures may vary slightly.
Why go
- Explore a dense field of sandstone hoodoos on easy, kid‑friendly trails.
- Climb and play among the rock formations with no technical gear needed.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; trails dry.
- FebCool, fewer visitors.
- MarMild, wildflowers start.
- AprWarm, low heat.
- MayWarm, occasional storms.
- JunHeat rises; midday sun strong.
- JulHigh heat, flash‑flood risk.
- AugPeak summer heat.
- SepCooling, dry.
- OctCool, comfortable hiking.
- NovCold, quiet.
- DecCold, clear.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mormon cricket, lizardsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Utah State Route 24
Drive west 11 mi from the junction; follow signs to the parking lot.
15 min
From Hanksville, UT
Take SR‑24 north 30 mi; turn west onto the park road.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main parking area | Visitor center, restrooms, picnic pavilion, trailhead. | Open daily; fee paid at gate. |
| Goblin Gulch loop | 1.5 km (0.9 mi) easy loop through the core hoodoo field.0.9 mi (1.5 km) easy loop through the core hoodoo field. | Open; no permit needed. |
| Campground | Heated showers, vault toilets, 30 sites. | Reserve in advance; fee applies. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate to the main parking area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry fee | US$30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Camping fee (standard site) | US$12 | site | per night, includes heated showers (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$30
- US$12
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Utah State Parks – Goblin Valley before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on paved areas only; not on trails.
- Camping
- Only in designated campground sites.
- Fire
- No open fires; use provided fire rings only.
Where to stay
In the park
Goblin Valley Campground
Basic sites with water hook‑ups and heated showers.
Near the park
Hanksville
Motels, B&Bs, and a grocery store 30 mi south.
Safety
Heat exposure medium
Flash floods high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot and short loop are wheelchair‑accessible with paved paths.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile hoodoos.
- Pack out all trash; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Goblin Valley State Park?
The vehicle entry fee is $30 (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Goblin Valley State Park?
The Goblin Gulch Loop (1.5 km, easy) and the short climb out of the Goblin Bowl are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Goblin Valley State Park?
Spring (Mar‑May) and fall (Sep‑Oct) offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, at the park campground; a $12 per night fee applies.
Are pets allowed on the trails?
Leashed dogs are allowed only on paved areas, not on the hiking trails.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Goblin Valley State Park
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