Trifter

Goblin valley is located in southern Utah’s Castle Country near Hanksville. Roughly 1 mile across and 2 miles long, Goblin Valley resembles Mars on Earth! It’s easy to spend anywhere from an hour to a whole day exploring the area.

Image what the first travelers saw when they came upon the strange, mushroom-like formations! Cowboys looking for their cattle got a glimpse of the strange valley.  In the late 1920’s, Arthur Chaffin and two other companions were looking for a different route between Cainsville and Green River when they saw the Valley from the east.  Chaffin named it “Mushroom Valley”.  About 20 years later, Chaffin returned and spent several days exploring the valley and taking pictures of the “goblins”.

Tourist flock to this remote park and photographers spend hours taking pictures of the formations. The rocks are formed from sandstone and years of wind whipping around the rocks. The shapes can be called  ‘hoodoo’, ‘tent rock’, or ‘chimney’.

Want to stay longer and camp? When the weather is warm, there is plenty of places to camp for a fee or for free.  Bring ATVs as well as mountain bikes to ride on designated paths.

Want to take hike?  About 5 miles down from Goblin Valley is a slot canyon called Little Wild Horse Canyon.  The canyon is well worth the hike. The narrows are long and sometimes only shoulder width.  One hour is long enough to see the best sections of the canyon on its lower end.  Or you can combine your hike with Bell Canyon which is an 8 mile loop.

Images property of Taffy

Before you go watch “Galaxy Quest” which was filmed in Goblin Valley.  Or watch the movie when you get home and see if you recognize the area used in the movie!

Take a trip to Palisades State Park in Utah!