“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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Driving 2-3 Hours 40+ Stories 29+ Miles Goblin Valley Map
Starting Point
You can begin the tour at the suggested starting location provided below.
Temple Mount Road, Temple Mt Rd, Utah, USA
Start on Temple Mountain Road near its junction with Utah State Route 24, heading west toward Goblin Valley State Park.
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
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
Action Tour Guide app: Download the app to access your purchased tour.GPS-triggered audio: Stories and directions play automatically as you reach each location.Tour anytime: Single tours and bundles never expire and can be used anytime. Action+ is an annual subscription that automatically renews each year unless canceled.Narrated stories: Hear local history, culture, and stories from experienced narrators.Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day.Offline access: Download your tour before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.Stories, stops, and directions: Follow the route to key attractions with automatic directions and stories at each location.Transportation: Transportation, parking fees, and tolls are not included.Admission: Entry tickets and reservations are not included. Food and drinks: Meals and drinks are not included.Rental car: A rental car is not included and may be required for driving tours. 
