Most state parks fence off their signature attraction. Goblin Valley lets you walk straight into the middle of thousands of sandstone hoodoos and wander without a marked trail, because inside the valley itself, there really isn’t one.
That’s not an oversight. For tent camping in Goblin Valley, the appeal goes beyond the campground itself. The park was officially designated in 1964 to protect this pocket of eroded Entrada Sandstone on the edge of the San Rafael Swell, and visitors are still free to explore much of the valley at their own pace. You can spend an hour weaving among the goblins and barely retrace your steps.
Why This One’s Worth the Detour
Goblin Valley sits about 50 miles southwest of Green River and roughly an hour and a half from both Capitol Reef and Moab. That puts it close to some of Utah’s busiest destinations without feeling nearly as crowded.
The park itself covers less than 10,000 acres, but the landscape feels much larger once you step into the valley and start wandering between the hoodoos.
Its otherworldly scenery has also attracted filmmakers. Galaxy Quest used the goblin formations as an alien landscape, and it is easy to see why. Very little about the valley looks ordinary.
The Campground: 24 Sites, No Hookups, a Four-Month Countdown
Goblin Valley’s main campground has 24 sites and two yurts. Ten sites are walk-in tent sites, while fourteen are designed for RVs. There is also a group site that can accommodate up to 40 people and 10 vehicles.
Every individual site comes with a picnic table, a metal fire ring, and a shade shelter, which matters more here than it does almost anywhere else, since the park brochure itself describes the landscape as offering “little or no shade.”
Goblin Valley Campground at a Glance
| Campground Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Individual campsites | 24 |
| Walk-in tent sites | 10 |
| RV sites | 14 |
| Yurts | 2 |
| Hookups | None |
| Drinking water | Available |
| Restrooms | Flush toilets |
| Showers | Available |
| Dump station | Available |
| Camping fee | $45/night |
| Additional vehicle | $20/night |
| Reservations | Open 4 months in advance |
| Group site | Up to 40 people / 10 vehicles |
There are no electrical, water, or sewer hookups at individual sites. However, the campground does have centrally located flush toilets, showers, potable water, and a dump station, making it more comfortable than the no-hookup setup might suggest.
Camping costs $45 per night, with park entry included in the fee. An additional vehicle costs $20 per night.
Reservations open four months before your arrival date through ReserveAmerica or by phone. Spring and fall weekends can fill quickly, so booking as soon as your window opens is a good idea.
If the main campground is full, the park also has primitive first-come, first-served camping in the Behind the Butte areas. These sites cost $15 per night and have vault toilets, making them a useful backup for more flexible campers.
Stargazing in Goblin Valley
Goblin Valley became an International Dark Sky Park in 2016, following a multi-year certification process. The designation reflects not only the park’s naturally dark skies, but also efforts to reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting and support public astronomy programs.
For campers, the result is a remarkably dark night sky with very little nearby light pollution. On clear, moonless nights, the Milky Way can be easily visible to the naked eye.
If this is your first dark-sky trip, our guide to stargazing for beginners covers night vision, essential gear, moonlight, and the basics of finding your way around the sky.
Bring a headlamp with a red-light mode if you have one. Red light helps preserve your night vision and is less disruptive to other campers who may be stargazing or photographing the sky nearby. If you want to capture the view, our guide to photographing the Milky Way with a smartphone explains how to get started without specialized camera equipment.
Pack a warmer layer than you expect to need, even during warmer months. Desert temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, and staying comfortable makes it much easier to spend enough time outside for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness.
Essential Gear for Desert Tent Camping
Standard tent stakes may not hold well in Goblin Valley’s mix of loose sand and hard-packed ground. Bring sturdy stakes suited to desert conditions, and make sure you know how to properly guy out your tent before the wind picks up.
Water matters even more than gear. The park recommends carrying at least one gallon of water per person per day, with extra for pets or longer hikes. There is no food service inside the park, so bring everything you expect to need during your stay.
Sun protection is essential because natural shade is limited outside the campground shelters. A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and breathable clothing can make a big difference during the hottest part of the day.
Footwear with good traction is also useful. Some routes involve scrambling over sandstone, and loose sand can make otherwise solid rock surprisingly slippery.
During the late-summer monsoon season, keep an eye on the weather. Thunderstorms can bring lightning and flash-flood risk to exposed areas, washes, and narrow canyon sections. If thunder approaches, move to a vehicle or substantial building rather than sheltering beneath an open shade structure.
Exploring the Goblins: Best Short Hikes
The Valley of the Goblins is less a traditional hike than an open invitation to explore. There is no marked trail through the main valley, so you can wander between the hoodoos at your own pace.
Three Sisters
The Three Sisters formation sits near the observation point road and can be reached with an easy walk of less than a mile round trip. It is one of the park’s most recognizable formations and one of the easiest stops to add to a short visit.
Curtis Bench Trail
Curtis Bench Trail is about 1.5 miles round trip and follows a relatively easy ridge. From the trail, you get broad views across the valley toward the Henry Mountains.
Carmel Canyon Loop
Carmel Canyon Loop is a little harder to define because different routes can change the total distance. Depending on how the loop is completed, guides place it between roughly 1.5 and 3 miles.
The route includes some light scrambling and passes through a short, colorful slot-canyon section. On clear days, you may also get distant views toward the La Sal Mountains.
Entrada Canyon Trail
If you are staying at the campground, Entrada Canyon Trail is especially convenient. It runs about 1.5 miles one way from the group campsite to the valley overlook, giving campers the option to walk into the main valley rather than drive.
Goblin’s Lair
Goblin’s Lair is the better choice for visitors looking for something more adventurous. The route is roughly three miles out and back and ends at a large chamber-like slot canyon reached by scrambling down over boulders.
Visitors who want to rappel into Goblin’s Lair instead of approaching it by foot need a permit.
Dogs are allowed in the park and campground on a six-foot leash, including on trails. In summer, however, hot rock surfaces can become uncomfortable or dangerous for paws, so morning or evening walks are the safer choice.
Cell service is very limited inside the park. Download maps and any directions you need before leaving Green River or Hanksville.
Final Thoughts
Goblin Valley works especially well for tent campers because the experience extends far beyond the campsite. During the day, you can wander among the hoodoos and explore short desert trails; after sunset, the same landscape becomes a remarkably quiet place to watch the night sky.
Reserve your site early, arrive prepared for desert conditions, and leave some time after dark to simply step away from the lights. Once your eyes adjust, the strange sandstone landscape beneath a sky full of stars is what makes camping here memorable.
