Morgan Kotter6 min read
Goblin Valley State Park is a Utah state park in the San Rafael Desert, north of Hanksville, where sandstone hoodoos (the "goblins") fill a set of open valleys you can walk among freely. Day use costs $20 per private vehicle, the park is open 6 am to 10 pm daily, and from Torrey it is about an hour and fifty minutes by car. Go early or late: Utah State Parks warns of summer temperatures in the 90s and 100s.
There is no set trail through the main valley. You walk down among the goblins and wander. Kids treat it as a maze, and adults usually end up doing the same.
What Goblin Valley Is
The goblins are sandstone formations shaped by uneven weathering of the Entrada Sandstone, according to the Town of Hanksville. The town also records that the park was created in 1964, on land donated by the US Department of the Interior.
Utah State Parks describes the main area, the Valley of Goblins, as free-roaming. Beyond it, the park has about six miles of marked hiking trails. Goblin Valley is also a certified International Dark Sky Park; our Utah dark sky parks guide covers what that means.
Getting There from Torrey
Drive east on Highway 24 through Capitol Reef National Park to Hanksville, then continue north on Highway 24. Turn west onto Temple Mountain Road, which the BLM notes is signed for Goblin Valley State Park, and follow the signs to the park.
OpenStreetMap routing puts the drive from Torrey at about 80 miles and roughly 1 hour 50 minutes each way. Treat that as approximate. The National Park Service lists Torrey and Hanksville as the nearest fuel to Capitol Reef, and both are on this route.
The BLM notes that Temple Mountain Road only turns from pavement to gravel past the state park turnoff, so if your GPS puts you on dirt before you reach the park, check the route again.
Fees and Hours
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle, day use | $20 |
| Motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian | $10 |
| Main campground (no hookups) | $45/night |
| Yurt | $150/night |
| Drone permit | $15 |
| Goblin's Lair rappel permit | $4/person |
Day-use passes are valid until 10 pm the day after purchase, so an evening visit plus the next morning costs one fee. The park is open 6 am to 10 pm; the visitor center 9 am to 5 pm. Utah State Parks says it can be very busy on weekends and during spring break, and suggests arriving in the morning or later in the afternoon.
The Hikes
Utah State Parks lists these marked trails:
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| The Three Sisters | 250 yards one way | Easy |
| Curtis Bench | 1.5 miles round trip | Easy |
| Entrada Canyon | 1.5 miles one way | Moderate |
| Carmel Canyon | 1.5 mile loop | Moderate, rock scrambling |
| Toadstool Canyon | About 2.7 mile loop | Moderate to strenuous, flash flood |
| Goblin's Lair | 1.5 miles one way | Strenuous |
The Third Valley has no trails or markings at all. The park advises desert navigation experience and a handheld GPS there.
Goblin's Lair rappel permits are first come, first served at the visitor center on the day, each with a two-hour window, and they can sell out.
Pair It With a Slot Canyon
Little Wild Horse Canyon is just outside the park, in the San Rafael Swell. The Town of Hanksville gives it as 3.3 miles one way, or an 8-mile loop if you return through Bell Canyon. Never enter it with rain in the forecast.
What to Know Before You Go
- Heat. Utah State Parks recommends drinking at least 32 ounces of water per person per hour in summer, hiking early, and taking salty snacks or electrolytes.
- Flash floods. Check the forecast before entering any canyon, and do not camp in washes if rain is possible. The visitor center posts a daily weather report.
- Drones. Permit only, $15, issued in person. From March 1 to October 31, no drones on weekends or holidays, and at most 10 permits a day on weekdays. Flights only over Valley 1, from the platform at Observation Point.
- Long day. With nearly four hours of round-trip driving, this is a full day from Torrey. Combine it with Factory Butte on the way back along Highway 24.
Where to Stay
Torrey is the gateway town on the west side of Capitol Reef. Our Torrey lodging guide compares the options, and /stay covers the glamping units and Lodge rooms we run in Teasdale, a few minutes west.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Goblin Valley State Park cost?
Utah State Parks charges $20 per private vehicle for day use, and $10 for a motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian. A day-use pass is valid until 10 pm the day after you buy it.
What are Goblin Valley's hours?
The park is open 6 am to 10 pm every day, and the visitor center is open 9 am to 5 pm, according to Utah State Parks.
How far is Goblin Valley from Torrey?
About 80 miles, or roughly an hour and fifty minutes by car, east on Highway 24 through Capitol Reef and Hanksville, then north to the Temple Mountain Road turnoff. That figure comes from OpenStreetMap routing and is approximate.
Can you fly a drone at Goblin Valley?
Only with a $15 permit from the visitor center, and only over Valley 1 from the drone platform at Observation Point. From March 1 to October 31 there are no drone permits on weekends or holidays.
Are dogs allowed at Goblin Valley?
Utah State Parks lists pets as allowed. The park's yurts take up to two dogs for $20 each.
Checked 2026-10-13. Fees, hours, trails, drone and heat rules: Utah State Parks (park page, park fees, hiking and rappelling). Temple Mountain Road signage: BLM, Temple Mountain Townsite. Geology and 1964 founding: Town of Hanksville. Little Wild Horse Canyon: Town of Hanksville. Fuel stops: National Park Service. Drive time: OpenStreetMap data via the OSRM router, Torrey to the park visitor center. Fees change, so confirm with the park on 435-275-4584 before you go.
