Is Dead Horse Point or Goblin Valley better?

Dead Horse Point wins for its world-class canyon overlook that needs almost no hiking. Goblin Valley wins if you want to roam freely among a surreal field of hoodoos.

How far apart are the two parks?

They are a few hours apart in Utah. Dead Horse Point sits near Moab, while Goblin Valley is in central Utah, so combining them suits a longer road trip.

Which park is better for kids?

Goblin Valley is the more kid-friendly of the two, since children can climb and wander the hoodoo maze. Dead Horse Point is more of a scenic overlook stop.

Which pairs better with the national parks?

Dead Horse Point pairs perfectly with Arches and Canyonlands near Moab. Goblin Valley pairs well with Capitol Reef to its west.

Head to head

Dead Horse Point vs Goblin Valley: How to Choose

The short answer

Pick Dead Horse Point if you want the single best overlook of the two. Its viewpoint of the gooseneck bend in the Colorado River, 2,000 feet below, is one of Utah's most photographed scenes and needs almost no hiking. The exception is the traveler who wants a hands-on, otherworldly landscape rather than a single grand view: that person should choose Goblin Valley, where you wander freely through a maze of mushroom-shaped hoodoos.

Pick Dead Horse Point State Park if

A world-class canyon overlook with minimal walking is the goal
You are basing your trip near Moab and pairing with Arches or Canyonlands
Sunset and sunrise over the river bend are what you came for

Full Dead Horse Point State Park guide

Pick Goblin Valley State Park if

Roaming freely among surreal hoodoos is the appeal
You want a quieter, more playful park experience for the family
Dark skies and a strange, one-of-a-kind landscape draw you

Full Goblin Valley State Park guide

Aperture Authority rules check

Photography rules before you go

If photos are part of the trip, permit and drone rules can change the better pick. Aperture Authority keeps the sourced, dated rules library for the locations below.

Utah state park rules

US States rule check for Dead Horse Point State Park and Goblin Valley State Park.

The Utah Film Commission assists but does not permit; cities, counties, BLM, and Utah State Parks each permit their own ground, and the Mighty 5 gateway state parks all require Special Use Permits for commercial work.

Permits: Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
Drones: Legal under FAA rules; individual state parks publish their own drone restrictions

Checked 2026-07-01

Full photography rules

Side by side

	Dead Horse Point State Park	Goblin Valley State Park
Best time	March to May and September to October for cooler desert hiking	March to May and September to November for cooler desert hiking
Entrance fee	Utah state park entrance fee or pass required	Utah day-use fee about $20 per private vehicle
Size	Not reported	Not reported
Visitors	Not reported	Not reported
Nearest airport	See park page	See park page

Who wins on what

Decision	Winner	Why
Best view with no effort	Dead Horse Point State Park	The overlook sits steps from the parking area with a 2,000-foot drop to the river.
Most unique landscape	Goblin Valley State Park	The field of hoodoos is a surreal, walkable maze unlike anywhere else.
Best for free roaming	Goblin Valley State Park	You can explore off-trail among the goblins, rare for a protected park.
Easiest pairing with national parks	Dead Horse Point State Park	It sits beside Canyonlands' Island in the Sky and near Arches outside Moab.
Best for families	Goblin Valley State Park	The hoodoo maze is a natural playground kids can climb and explore.
Best photography	Dead Horse Point State Park	The gooseneck bend at sunrise or sunset is one of Utah's signature shots.
Best dark skies	Either	Both are designated dark-sky parks with superb stargazing.

Can you do both?

Both are in southern and central Utah but a few hours apart, so combining them works best on a wider Utah road trip. Dead Horse Point pairs naturally with Arches and Canyonlands near Moab, while Goblin Valley pairs with Capitol Reef to the west. Visit either in the cooler months to avoid desert heat.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dead Horse Point or Goblin Valley better?: Dead Horse Point wins for its world-class canyon overlook that needs almost no hiking. Goblin Valley wins if you want to roam freely among a surreal field of hoodoos.
How far apart are the two parks?: They are a few hours apart in Utah. Dead Horse Point sits near Moab, while Goblin Valley is in central Utah, so combining them suits a longer road trip.
Which park is better for kids?: Goblin Valley is the more kid-friendly of the two, since children can climb and wander the hoodoo maze. Dead Horse Point is more of a scenic overlook stop.
Which pairs better with the national parks?: Dead Horse Point pairs perfectly with Arches and Canyonlands near Moab. Goblin Valley pairs well with Capitol Reef to its west.

Plan your visit

Whichever park wins for you, here is the gear keyed to these conditions, the tools to size your trip, and related guides.

What to pack

Plan with our tools

Keep reading

Planning either trip? Each park guide has when-to-go, what-to-pack, and camping reservation details. Browse the full national parks index.