Goblin Valley State Park

Part of the San Rafael Desert, Gobin Valley State Park documents 170 million years of erosion, forming a playground of red-rock boulders, spires, towers, “mushrooms,” and “goblins.” Said playground is roughly 3 square miles (7.7 square kilometers), and visitors are welcome to explore just about anywhere, taking in the rocky expanse from all angles.

Of course, there are designated hiking trails—the longest is 4 miles (6.4 kilometers)—mountain-biking trails, campsites, two yurts, and plenty of options for photography, picnicking, and stargazing—Goblin Valley is also a designated International Dark Sky Park.

• The park can get very hot, and there is little shade. Come prepared with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.

• To enter, you must either pay the day-use fee or have a Utah State Park Pass.

• Make campsite or yurt reservations online at the Utah State Parks’ website.

• Canyoneering into the Goblin’s Lair requires a backcountry permit, which can be obtained at the visitor center.

Goblin Valley State Park is difficult to get to—by car, it’s one hour from Green River, 90 minutes from Moab, and 3.5 hours from Salt Lake City. The best way to slot it into a trip is between Capitol Reef National Park and Arches National Park. It’s mainly on the way, just off US Highway 24.

The park is open daily from 6am to 10pm. It’s best to head here early or late in summer, as midday temps can top 100ºF (37ºC). For cooler weather, spring and fall shoulder seasons offer more comfortable adventures; winter is quite popular, too, as the snow juxtaposes the red-rock landscape for fascinating views and photography (though watch out for below-freezing nights).

This area was accidentally “discovered” by European cowboys in the 1920s—ranchers were on the lookout for their cattle. Of course, the human history of Goblin Valley State Park goes back much further than 100 years; you can even spot pictographs and petroglyphs in the park from the Fremont, Paiute, and Ute peoples.