When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Warm days and cool nights, with the heaviest weekend and spring-break crowds of the year.
Pack Sun protection, plenty of water, and an early arrival plan to beat the lot filling.
Summer
Very hot and exposed on the valley floor, with little to no shade among the goblins.
Pack Dawn or dusk timing, electrolytes, and a strict midday heat cutoff.
Fall
Prime desert hiking weather and excellent dark-sky nights once the heat breaks.
Pack Layers for cold nights, a headlamp for stargazing, and sun cover for the day.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with occasional snow dusting the hoodoos and short daylight hours.
Pack Insulation, traction for icy slickrock, and a plan for limited daylight.
Top things to do
Valley of Goblins
The main attraction: an open basin of mushroom-shaped hoodoos you are free to wander off-trail. The longer you stay, the stranger it gets.
Goblin's Lair (Chamber)
A hike to a hidden slot chamber that doubles as a popular canyoneering rappel for those with gear and skills.
Carmel Canyon and Curtis Bench loops
Short marked trails that frame the valley with badlands, fins, and long views toward the Henry Mountains.
Anchor the day around Valley of Goblins
Move exposed miles to the morning and keep water, shade, and storm checks ahead of the wish list. For one day in Goblin Valley State Park, make Valley of Goblins the non-negotiable, add Goblin's Lair (Chamber) only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Carmel Canyon and Curtis Bench loops as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Valley of Goblins: The main attraction: an open basin of mushroom-shaped hoodoos you are free to wander off-trail. The longer you stay, the stranger it gets.
- 2Add Goblin's Lair (Chamber): A hike to a hidden slot chamber that doubles as a popular canyoneering rappel for those with gear and skills.
- 3Use Carmel Canyon and Curtis Bench loops as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Goblin Valley's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Goblin Valley State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Goblin Valley State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Goblin Valley State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Goblin Valley
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Goblin Valley
The buying guides that match what Goblin Valley asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
The park has one small campground plus two yurts inside the gate, and they book out fast for spring and fall weekends. Hanksville is the closest town for fuel and basics, Green River is the nearest larger highway base about an hour north, and many visitors fold Goblin Valley into a Capitol Reef or Moab trip and sleep elsewhere.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve the Goblin Valley campground or a yurt before you build the trip.
Goblin Valley has a single small campground and two yurts, so overnight space is the scarce resource, especially on spring-break and fall weekends.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Utah individual campsites are generally available on a four-month rolling reservation window, and group sites open further out. Book the moment your window opens for peak weekends.
- The campground is small, so popular weekends sell out well ahead of arrival.
- Two yurts inside the park are a comfortable shoulder-season option and book early.
- The park warns that weekends and spring break get exceptionally busy. Arrive early or late to find parking.
Where to book or verify
Official Utah State Parks page with alerts, hours, fees, and camping details.
Official Utah State Parks reservation portal for campsites and yurts, or call 1-800-322-3770.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Goblin Valley Campground
Details- Booking
- Generally a four-month rolling window through the Utah reservation system.
- Season
- Open year-round, with peak demand in spring and fall.
- Sites
- Standard tent and RV sites with restrooms and showers, plus two reservable yurts.
- The only in-park camping. Book early for spring break and fall-weekend nights.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Goblin Valley State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Utah
Arrival note
Goblin Valley sits in central Utah's San Rafael Swell, reached by a paved spur off State Route 24 between Hanksville and Interstate 70.
Car strategy
A car is required, the final stretch is remote with no services, and the closest gas is in Hanksville, so top off before the drive in.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
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.
- Permit
- 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
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation for Goblin Valley State Park?
Day use does not require a reservation, but you pay a day-use fee of about $20 per private vehicle. Camping and the two yurts should be reserved through the Utah State Parks system because the campground is small and fills on busy weekends.
Can you walk among the goblins at Goblin Valley?
Yes. The Valley of Goblins is an open, off-trail area where you are encouraged to wander among the hoodoos. The park asks visitors not to climb on or topple the formations.
When is the best time to visit Goblin Valley?
Spring and fall offer the best hiking weather. Summer is very hot with almost no shade, so plan early-morning or late-afternoon visits and carry plenty of water. The dark-sky nights are excellent year-round.