Goblin Valley
Date filmed:2024-10-01
Number of sites:26
GPS:38.573152, -110.713932
Max vehicle length:42 Feet
Check in:3:00pm
Check out:2:00pm
Quiet hours:10:00pm - 7:00am

Amenities and Activities

Amenities
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Picnic Table
RVs
Tents
Accessible Sites
Showers
Flushing Toilets
Shade Shelters
Vault Toilets
Trash Collection
Tent Pads
Dump Station
Activities
Hiking
Biking
Scenic Driving
Rock Climbing
Star Gazing
Scenic Overlooks
Amphitheater
Photography

Things to Do

Camping in Goblin Valley

Best Campsites, Yurts & Nearby Adventures!

Featured: Goblin Valley

Planning a trip to Goblin Valley State Park in Utah? In this Campvue campground tour, we give you a complete look at the Goblin Valley campground — perfect for both tent campers and those curious about staying in one of the park’s iconic yurts. We explore the campground layout, review the campsites, share insider tips for tent camping here, and take you inside a yurt to show what it's really like. Plus, we highlight nearby must-see spots in the area, including the surreal landscapes of the San Rafael Swell, The Wedge Overlook, and the otherworldly goblins themselves. Whether you're planning your first visit or deciding if the campground is right for you, this overview will help you make the most of your trip.

Goblin Valley Campground Review

Camping in an Alien Landscape

Featured: Goblin Valley

Nestled against alien-like hoodoos, camping in Goblin Valley State Park is about as remote as it gets. If you're curious about the campground, we check it out for you and give our review. Located near central Utah, Goblin Valley State Park is a place unlike any you've likely seen before. If the red mushroom-shaped hoodoos, known as goblins, creating an almost alien-like landscape don't make you feel like you're on another planet, the sheer remoteness of the park will. The nearest town to the park is Hanksville, Utah - almost a 30 minutes drive to the south. Finding closer lodging is just not possible which makes camping ideal. Not only are you just outside the park, but you also have amazing backdrops of some goblins and are located very close to other amazing outdoor opportunities like the slot canyons of Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon. Goblin Valley State Park campground consists of ten walk-in tent sites, fourteen RV sites, one group site, and two yurts. All campsites have elevated tent pads, a fire ring with a grill, and a picnic table under a metal shelter to provide shade. RV sites do not have hookups, however, there is a dump station. The two yurts provide a unique experience for those looking to camp in more comfort. Both hold a maximum of 5 people, have electricity inside, and are equipped with heat and air conditioning. Tables with seating are included as is an outdoor grill. There are no hookups for RVs at these sites either. The campground has two restroom facilities - one with vault toilets and one with flushing toilets and hot showers.

A Full Campground Tour and Review

Staying at Goblin Valley State Park

Featured: Goblin Valley

Experience Utah's Goblin Valley like never before! We show our stay in a cozy yurt and camp among the fantastic red rock formations for two nights. In addition, we finally check out the astonishing Goblin's Lair hike - adventure awaits! Located near central Utah, Goblin Valley State Park is unlike any you've likely seen. If the red mushroom-shaped hoodoos, known as goblins, creating an almost alien-like landscape don't make you feel like you're on another planet, the sheer remoteness of the park will. The nearest town to the park is Hanksville, Utah - almost a 30-minute drive to the south. Finding closer lodging is just not possible which makes camping ideal. Not only are you just outside the park, but you also have unique backdrops of some goblins and are located very close to other amazing outdoor opportunities like the slot canyons of Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon. Goblin Valley State Park campground consists of ten walk-in tent sites, fourteen RV sites, one group site, and two yurts. All campsites have elevated tent pads, a fire ring with a grill, and a picnic table under a metal shelter to provide shade. RV sites do not have hookups, however, there is a dump station. The two yurts provide a unique experience for those looking to camp in more comfort. Both hold a maximum of 5 people, have electricity inside, and are equipped with heat and air conditioning. Tables with seating are included as is an outdoor grill. There are no hookups for RVs at these sites either. The campground has two restroom facilities - one with vault toilets and one with flushing toilets and hot showers.

Goblin Valley from the Air

An Aerial Exploration of Goblin Valley State Park

Featured: Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley State Park is one of Utah's most unique parks featuring unique sandstone rock formations that will inspire the creative mind. However, Goblin Valley is even more breathtaking from above! Yes, you can drone here! Located in Green River, Utah near the San Rafael Swell, is Goblin Valley State Park. Much like its more famous "sibling", Bryce Canyon National Park, hoodoos are the predominant feature of the park. Here they are called goblins. The goblins in the park are made of hard rock sitting atop softer sandstone. The sandstone slowly erodes over time leaving the well-known mushroom shape dotted all over the park. There are three valleys to walk through. Visitors are free to roam the area as they want. Be sure to visit near sunset as the setting sun casts a glow on the sandstone making them glow a deep red color. Beyond the three valleys, six miles of hiking trails are available, including one to what is called the Goblin's Lair - a slot canyon sealed by rock fall on one end. Due to the delicate nature of the goblins, climbing on the hoodoos is prohibited.

Goblin Valley State Park

A First Visit

Featured: Goblin Valley

A visit to Goblin Valley State Park is a fascinating opportunity to see strange hoodoos, or goblins. It's a surreal experience as we take a tour in the morning and evening to walk among these pinnacles. Located in Green River, Utah near the San Rafael Swell, is Goblin Valley State Park. Much like it's more famous "sibling", Bryce Canyon National Park, hoodoos are the predominant feature of the park. Here they are called goblins. The goblins in the park are made of harder rock sitting atop softer sandstone. The sandstone slowly erodes over time leaving the well-known mushroom shape that is dotted all over the park. There are three valleys to walk through. Visitors are free to roam the area as they want. Be sure to visit near sunset as the setting sun casts a glow on the sandstone making them glow a deep red color. Beyond the three valleys, there are six miles of hiking trails available including one to what is called the Goblin's Lair - a slot canyon that has been sealed by rock fall on one end. Due to the delicate nature of the goblins, climbing on the hoodoos is prohibited.

Roadtrippin' The Swell

Going Deep into the San Rafael Swell

Featured: Navajo Lake, Goblin Valley

With Colorado wrapped up, we head back to Utah to set up for adventure in the Goblin Valley area. But as plans like to change, they do just that. What turns out to be a failed morning, turns into a surprise discovery and exploration. Oh, Colorado National Monument... we miss you already! But we've got places to be and adventures to have. Like Rattlesnake Arches! Maybe... Possibly. Or not as some mapping led us astray. Heartbroken but determined we quickly figure out a substitute adventure for later on and make the drive back to Utah to set up camp at Goblin Valley Campground - our home base for the next couple days. And wouldn't you know it... Our ability to change plans on the fly gets tested again. Armed with the advice of a park employee, we get in the truck and take an offroad adventure down Behind the Reef Road to something called the Chute Canyon Trail once hearing the words "slot canyon". Will it live up? See for yourself! The next day we take care of some business in Hanksville, Utah, film a few other videos you will see in the next couple of weeks, and find some surprises behind our campground yurt.

Capitol Reef to Natural Bridges

Utah’s Ultimate Scenic Journey

Featured: Natural Bridges, Fruita, Goblin Valley

Embark on a stunning journey with us from Capitol Reef to Natural Bridges, discovering some of Utah's most awe-inspiring landscapes along the way. Begin with a stop at Goblin Valley State Park, where unique hoodoo formations create a surreal, otherworldly playground. Nearby, the slot canyons of Little Wild Horse Canyon invite you to wander through twisting sandstone corridors, a perfect mix of adventure and tranquility. Continue your route toward Hite Overlook, where sweeping views of the Colorado River and the dramatic cliffs of Glen Canyon showcase the raw beauty of Utah’s high desert. As you approach Natural Bridges, marvel at the seamless connection between nature’s artistry and the timeless landscape. Each stop along this route offers a piece of Utah's geologic story, ensuring the journey is as remarkable as the destination.

San Rafael Swell Slot Canyons

The Beginner Friendly Little Wild Horse

Featured: Goblin Valley

Located in the San Rafael Swell, Little Wild Horse Canyon is an excellent slot canyon that is accessible for many and perfect for beginners. With limited experience in canyoneering, we visited and experienced one of the best hikes we've had. Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon are located in the San Rafael Swell in south central Utah. It is a short drive west of Goblin Valley State Park and north of Hanksville. The slot canyons are popular with families and have stretches of hiking trails for all ages, even the more adventurous! From the parking lot trailhead it is an easy 0.5 mile hike to where the split occurs. To the left is Bell Canyon and to the right is Little Wild Horse Canyon. Many find Little Wild Horse Canyon to be the more impressive of the two canyons and simply hike as far as they like and head back. There's nothing wrong with this at all! During our hike we definitely found the most varied texture and color as well as the narrowest areas of the slot canyon to be in Little Wild Horse Canyon. For the most part the trail is relatively flat, however, one might have to do a bit of scrambling over rock boulders and areas of "walls" which rise a couple feet. Adults shouldn't have much problem in average physical condition as there are plenty of places to get stable footing. Children can easily be boosted up. From the junction, the Little Wild Horse Canyon Trail goes back 3.6 miles through plenty of gorgeous twisting and turning narrows to an open and exposed portion that loops around the back. This 1.6 mile section leads to a 4x4 road that can be followed straight into Bell Canyon. A number of signs are posted to show where you are located on the trail and help guide your way should you choose to complete the 8 mile loop. From the north entrance into Bell Canyon back to the previous split is a 1.8 mile hike. This canyon has far less twists and turns, is a bit wider with only one section of narrows. Due to this, there is less shade, however, this canyon would be ideal for someone who may have issues with narrow spaces as Little Wild Horse Canyon certainly has some shoulder width areas to get through. Regardless of which direction you go, how far you go, or which canyon you choose, this area is one not to be missed and a great place to stretch your legs, get in some exercise or just marvel at nature.

Campground Overview

Goblin Valley Campground – Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

The Goblin Valley State Park Campground offers a truly otherworldly camping experience in one of Utah’s most unique desert landscapes. Surrounded by thousands of sandstone hoodoos—locals call them “goblins”—this campground places visitors right in the heart of a surreal badlands environment carved by wind, water, and time. With wide-open skies, stunning red rock scenery, and easy access to the park’s main valley, Goblin Valley Campground is a favorite basecamp for photographers, families, hikers, and desert explorers.

Location & Setting

The campground sits just inside Goblin Valley State Park in southeastern Utah, roughly halfway between Hanksville and Green River. Surrounded by Entrada sandstone formations, desert washes, and open plateau vistas, the area feels remote and otherworldly—perfect for escaping traffic and noise. At around 5,000 feet in elevation, the region experiences warm days, cool nights, and some of the darkest skies in the Southwest. The park’s iconic Valley of Goblins is only minutes from camp, giving visitors quick access to the whimsical hoodoo formations that make the park famous.

Campground Overview

Goblin Valley Campground features a mix of traditional campsites and a few unique accommodations, including covered yurts available by reservation. Campsites are generally open and sunny, set among scattered rock outcrops and desert scrub. While shade is limited, the scenery is exceptional—every campsite has views of surrounding rock formations or wide desert horizons. Sites accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs of moderate size, with level gravel pads and defined parking areas. The campground’s small size and remote location help maintain a peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere.

Amenities

Campsites include picnic tables, fire pits, and nearby access to modern restrooms with flush toilets. A central bathhouse offers hot showers—a welcome luxury in the desert. Potable water is available seasonally, and the campground uses solar lighting for low-level night illumination. Yurts include beds, heating, cooling, and lighting, offering a comfortable upgrade for those wanting a more insulated desert stay. There are no electrical hookups or dump stations, and services are limited, so visitors should arrive well prepared with fuel, food, and water.

Activities & Nearby Recreation

Goblin Valley is a paradise for exploration. The Valley of Goblins is an enormous free-roaming playground where visitors of all ages can wander among thousands of hoodoos, discovering hidden passages, slot-like formations, and panoramic viewpoints. Nearby hiking routes include the Goblin’s Lair (Chamber of the Basilisk), a dramatic cavern reached by a scenic trail, and the Carmel Canyon Loop, which winds through narrow canyons and desert formations. Nighttime brings some of the darkest skies in Utah, making Goblin Valley an outstanding destination for stargazing and astrophotography. Mountain biking and additional slot canyon adventures—including the world-class Little Wild Horse Canyon—are just minutes outside the park boundary.

Summary

The Goblin Valley State Park Campground offers an unforgettable blend of solitude, strange and beautiful geology, and easy access to one of Utah’s most iconic landscapes. With modern amenities, dramatic desert scenery, and world-class hiking and stargazing right outside your tent or RV, it’s a perfect base for families, adventurers, and photographers. For anyone seeking a unique desert camping experience among whimsical rock formations, Goblin Valley delivers a stay that feels like stepping onto another planet.

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