Last Updated on July 07, 2025 by Admin
Goblin Valley State Park, located in southeastern Utah near Hanksville, is a geological wonderland known for its surreal landscape of sandstone hoodoos, often called "goblins," formed through millions of years of erosion of Entrada sandstone. These mushroom-shaped rock formations, set against a remote desert backdrop, create an otherworldly scene that has been compared to Mars and even featured in films like Galaxy Quest for its alien-like terrain. The park spans over 9,915 acres and offers hiking, camping, mountain biking, and ranger-led programs, with the Valley of Goblins—a three-square-mile area of free-roaming exploration—being its main attraction. Goblin Valley is certified as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association, a designation earned in 2016 after a two-year process. Its remote location in the San Rafael Desert, far from urban centers, results in virtually no light pollution, offering some of the darkest and clearest night skies in the world. The National Park Service’s Night Sky Team confirmed in 2015 that the park’s skies are among the darkest on Earth, making it ideal for capturing celestial objects like the Milky Way.
Why It Stands Out
Goblin Valley’s combination of a pristine dark sky, accessible terrain, and a fantastical landscape makes it a bucket-list destination for astrophotographers. Social media posts on X and Reddit highlight its darkest skies and unique aesthetic, with users calling it “otherworldly” and a place where “you feel like you’re on another planet.” Its proximity to other dark sky parks like Capitol Reef and Arches, along the Highway 12 Scenic Byway, also makes it a strategic stop for an astro-tourism adventure in Utah, which boasts more International Dark Sky Parks than any other state.
For more details or to plan your trip, visit the official Utah State Parks website (stateparks.utah.gov) or the International Dark-Sky Association (darksky.org).
IS CAMPING ALLOWED?
Yes
CAMPING FEES:
MAIN CAMPGROUND (NO ELECTRICAL HOOKUPS): $45, INCLUDES PASS FOR ONE VEHICLE ($20 EXTRA VEHICLE FEE)
YURTS: $150 + TAX. A MAXIMUM OF TWO PETS (DOGS ONLY) MAY STAY IN A YURT FOR AN EXTRA FEE OF $20 EACH.
ENTRANCE FEE?
$20 PER VEHICLE FOR UTAH RESIDENTS, $25 FOR NON-RESIDENTS.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
18630 GOBLIN VALLEY ROAD
GREEN RIVER, UT 84525
DIRECTIONS
APPROXIMATELY 216 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SALT LAKE CITY.
– 24 MILES SOUTH OF I-70 ON HIGHWAY 24, TURN AT TEMPLE MOUNTAIN JUNCTION, FOLLOW SIGNS 12 MILES TO PARK.
– 20 MILES NORTH OF THE TOWN OF HANKSVILLE ON HIGHWAY 24, TURN AT TEMPLE MOUNTAIN JUNCTION, FOLLOW SIGNS 12 MILES TO PARK.
THE CORRECT ROUTE TO THE PARK IS PAVED THE ENTIRE LENGTH. IF YOUR GPS DIRECTS YOU ONTO A DIRT ROAD, IT IS NOT THE CORRECT ROUTE.
