This Otherworldly State Park Offers Exciting Hiking Trails And Yurt Camping Adventures

Adventurous travelers may know Utah best for the stunning national parks that make up its Mighty 5 road trip. Beloved for a reason, these attractions showcase natural wonders ranging from awe-inspiring arches to raging rivers. While deserving of all the praise and attention they get, those national parks aren't the only places worth visiting for a taste of Utah's wild, one-of-a-kind landscapes. For a deeper understanding of this region's outdoorsy gems, you'll need to explore places like Goblin Valley State Park.

One of Utah's 46 state parks, Goblin Valley transports visitors into an otherworldly kingdom of sandstone goblins — strange rock formations reminiscent of the desert planet Mars. Here, sightseers can heighten their sense of wonder by embarking on iconic hiking adventures, rappelling down canyons, and gazing up at the stars while camping onsite. The park even offers mountain biking trails, wildlife spotting opportunities, and a disc golf course to ensure every moment of your trip is full of fun.

Find this fascinating destination in the small town of Green River, less than an hour from this hidden gem hike with views straight out of a "Star Wars" movie. While the closest airport — Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY) — sits about an hour away in Moab, travelers flying in for their Goblin Valley State Park excursion will likely get better prices by touching down at hubs located further away. While driving roughly three and a half hours to the park from Salt Lake City International Airport might seem like a pain, road trip enthusiasts may appreciate the chance to peruse the unique trail of curiosities that litter this route to the south.

While Goblin Valley State Park hosts six marked trails that cover just as many miles, one of the most popular hiking spots here doesn't follow any official path. Instead, Valley of the Goblins allows adventurers to roam freely. Start by looping around the area or heading straight to the closest hoodoo — the choice is yours. Considered the park's star attraction, Valley of the Goblins is a must-see spot for any visitor, but only those with backcountry experience will be able to witness all three sections of the valley. Red Canyon Primitive Route is the sole trail crossing through this trio of wonders, and the 6-mile out-and-back trek isn't one to take lightly.

If risky backcountry journeys aren't for you, rest assured that there's plenty of fun to be had perusing Goblin Valley State Park's marked trails. Ease into a day of hiking on Curtis Bench Trail, an out-and-back route covering a total of 1.5 miles and featuring views of the Henry Mountains. For an even shorter hike, wander through The Three Sisters area. Less than a third of a mile long, this walk is named for an iconic cluster of rock formations that now decorate many park souvenirs. When you're ready for a more challenging hike, check out Carmel Canyon Loop for rock scrambles and narrow squeezes leading toward the longer Goblin's Lair Trail. A 3-mile-long path into a jaw-droppingly gorgeous slot canyon, Goblin's Lair Trail is a challenging but rewarding hike. You can even rappel here, so long as you purchase a $4 permit from the visitor center first.

After a day full of hiking, sightseers can extend their Goblin Valley outing by staying overnight at the park's campground. Surrounded by mesmerizing layered sandstone outcroppings, Goblin Valley State Park's campground consists of 14 RV sites, 10 tent camping spaces, one group area open to a maximum of 40 campers, and two stunning yurts. While you won't find any electrical hookups here, there are amenities such as showers, picnic tables, a dump station, fire rings, and flush toilets. Perhaps most importantly, the park also provides water refill stations (open to campers and daytrippers alike).

If those amenities and the standard campsites don't offer quite enough comfort for you, don't give up on a Goblin Valley camping trip altogether. Instead, consider staying in one of the park's yurts. These elevated dwellings came to Goblin Valley in 2011 and look perfectly at home amid the desert landscape. However, inside the yurts, the harsh desert sun and heat melt away thanks to an open concept design featuring a high ceiling and a swamp cooler to keep temperatures comfortable. Each unit comfortably accommodates about four people, but groups willing to bring sleeping bags can get a maximum of eight campers into each yurt. These units also come with an outdoor grill, deck chairs, and a heating system for the colder months.

Still not sold on the idea of camping here? Goblin Valley State Park's incredible stargazing opportunities may illuminate the appeal. Recognized as an official International Dark Sky Park in 2016, this region enjoys nighttime skies dark enough for the Milky Way to shine through.