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.