Goblin Valley State Park in Utah is a cosmic vision of Mars transplanted to the Earth, with its otherworldly landscape of hoodoos and gnarled rock formations resembling goblins dancing in the twilight. It's a place where the red dust and alien silhouettes stretch endlessly, making you feel like an astronaut on a silent expedition. The sun blazes down on the sculpted desert, casting long shadows that move like phantoms as the day slips away. Here, amidst the sandstone giants, you catch your breath and let the sheer strangeness of it all wash over you.
Ah, the desert, a symphony of stillness and raw, rugged beauty, where every grain of sand tells a story older than time itself. The colors shift with the sun, from deep ochres to fiery reds, painting a canvas that changes with every passing hour. As you wander through this maze of natural sculptures, you can’t help but marvel at the artistry of erosion and the patience of nature. The silence is profound, broken only by the whisper of the wind, a reminder that beauty can be as harsh as it is enchanting.
Night falls like a blanket of ink over Goblin Valley, and the darkness is as deep as a poet’s soul. Away from the city’s glare, the sky unfurls its grandeur, a black velvet backdrop studded with countless stars. It’s a cosmic tapestry that stretches on forever, each star a distant beacon of light and wonder. The Milky Way spills across the heavens, a river of stars inviting you to drift into dreams of galaxies far away. Here, you feel infinitesimal, yet deeply connected to the vast, mysterious universe.
Camping in this Martian desert is an experience of serene solitude and celestial splendor. The quiet envelops you, a gentle reminder that peace is found in nature’s embrace. As you lay beneath the starlit sky, the cool night air carrying the scent of sagebrush, the world feels vast and timeless. Every breath is a meditation, every heartbeat in sync with the universe. In Goblin Valley, you find not just a place to rest your head, but a sanctuary for the soul, where the night whispers secrets of the stars and the desert dreams in ancient rhythms.
Traveling West on US I-70 from Green River, Utah , take exit 149 (Hanksville) onto US Highway 24. Drive South for approximately 24 miles and turn West onto Temple Mountain Road and travel 5 miles to Goblin Valley Road. You can follow the signs from there.
There is a small campground inside of Goblin Valley State park that has a fee, along with electric and water hookups at some sites. Or, as we prefer, there are a large amount of free boondocking sites just outside the park. Bring extra water as this is a desert and it can be very hot and dry, there is very little humidity and you will dehydrate quickly.
A wide angle lens is great to capture the vast expanse of this landscape.
Goblin Valley is a pristine desert area, please follow the park rules and stay in the designated hiking areas.
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