“This place doesn’t look real and maybe that’s the point.”
Goblin Valley isn’t your typical desert park. It’s a sandstone playground sculpted by time and wind into thousands of mushroom-like figures scattered across a barren valley floor. Some look like mid-step creatures. Others, like silent sentinels. All of them make you question what planet you’re on.
Long before it was called Goblin Valley, this area was home to the Fremont people. They left behind stories not just in the rocks but on them, ancient pictographs painted across canyon walls. And long before them? This land was the floor of an inland sea, slowly rising, eroding, and shaping the bizarre forms we see today.
Why visit? Because there’s nowhere else quite like it. It’s still strange and seriously photogenic. Plus, it’s one of Utah’s best-kept secrets, just a short drive from the big national parks, but with a whole different vibe.
With this self-guided GPS audio tour, you’ll explore the park’s highlights at your own pace, with automatic narration along the way, even if you lose signal in the remote desert.
What’s ahead:
Drive along Temple Mountain Road with a storybook of ancient geology unfolding before you.
Visit the Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel, home to Barrier Canyon-style art.
Pass Molly’s Castle and Wild Horse Butte, two towering rock formations with dramatic backstories.
Hike the Curtis Bench Trail, if you’re up for it, to catch the desert from above.
Stand at Goblin Overlook, where thousands of eerie rock figures stretch in every direction.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, drop into the Goblin’s Lair; a hidden chamber at the end of a scramble.
Heads up: You will take too many photos. That’s normal. Just remember to stop and take a moment to stare occasionally. These goblins aren’t going anywhere.
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Where To Start?
Goblin Valley – Temple Mountain Road
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Goblin Valley Audio Tour
Things to do on the Tour Include:
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Goblins of Goblin Valley
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San Rafael Swell
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Jackrabbits
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Barrier Canyon Style
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Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel
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Persevering Plants
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The Fremont
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Discovering Goblins
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Molly’s Castle
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Wild Horse Butte
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The Three Sisters
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Goblin Overlook
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Goblin's Lair
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Goblin Valley is named after its unique and otherworldly rock formations, which resemble goblins or other fantastical creatures.
Yes, Goblin Valley State Park is generally open year-round, but the visitor center hours and accessibility may vary during the winter months.
You can explore the main features of Goblin Valley State Park in a few hours, but many visitors choose to spend half a day or more to fully enjoy the unique rock formations and landscapes.
Goblin Valley does occasionally receive light snowfall during the winter months, but it’s not a typical or significant snow destination.
Yes, Goblin Valley State Park is definitely worth visiting for its otherworldly landscapes, surreal rock formations (hoodoos), and opportunities for hiking, photography, and exploration.
The distinctive rock formations in Goblin Valley are estimated to be around 170 million years old, dating back to the Jurassic period.
Goblin Valley is home to various desert wildlife, including desert cottontail rabbits, kangaroo rats, lizards, and a variety of bird species. Visitors may also spot mule deer and coyotes.
Goblin Valley gained additional fame when it was featured in the 1999 film “Galaxy Quest.” The unique landscape served as the alien planet setting for the movie’s iconic scenes.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours. Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever. Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators. At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace. Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction. Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, get travel tips, hear narrated guides, and see hidden gems. Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks. Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route. Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station. 