Goblin Valley State Park - San Rafael Swell

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Goblin Valley
Utah State Park
San Rafael Swell
Desert Hiking & Camping

Goblin Valley State Park is an amazing place for children of all ages. The park contains thousands of twisted and mushroom shaped pinnacles. You will experience an overwhelming desire to wander through the labyrinth of goblins and admire the beauty.

Numerous rocks and coves offer unrestricted hiking. A vivid imagination will make your visit even more fun. Add year-round solitude in a remote desert setting and you have a great family destination.

General Information:
Goblin Valley State Park facilities include a 21-unit campground, modern rest rooms, hot showers for campers, sanitary disposal station and visitor observation shelter. Goblin Valley is open year round and camping reservations are accepted. The stay limit is 14 days and maximum RV length is 30 feet. As of January 2002, the Camping Fee was $14 per day and the Day-Use-Fee was $5 per day. Camping reservations can be made by calling Utah State Parks and Recreation at 1-800-322-3770.

Goblin Valley is often combined with hiking Little Wild Horse Canyon, which is the most popular hike in the San Rafael Swell.

Location:
Goblin Valley State Park is located in Emery County between the towns of Green River and Hanksville. The road to Goblin Valley State Park is paved the entire distance and is accessible year round to all vehicles.

From Green River, Utah follow I-70 west for 11 miles to Exit #149 and Highway 24. Follow Highway 24 south for 24 miles to mile maker 136 and the signed turn-off to Goblin Valley State Park. Follow the signs and paved road to Goblin Valley State Park, which is 13 miles from Highway 24.

History:
          Cowboys searching for cattle first discovered Goblin Valley. Then in the late 1920's, Arthur Chaffin, owner/operator of the Hite Ferry, and two companions were searching for an alternative route between Green River and Cainsville. They came to a vantage point about a mile west of Goblin Valley and were awed by the view of five buttes and a valley of strange-shaped rock formations surrounded by a wall of eroded cliffs.

          In 1949, Chaffin returned to the area he called Mushroom Valley. He spent several days exploring the mysterious valley and photographing its scores of intricately eroded creatures.

          Publicity attracted visitors to the valley despite its remoteness. In 1954, it was proposed that Goblin Valley be protected from vandalism. The state of Utah later acquired the property and established Goblin Valley State Reserve. It was officially designated a state park on August 24, 1964.

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