Utah State Parks describes Goblin Valley's landscape, covered with sandstone goblins and formations, as often compared to Mars; the park's history page says wind and water remove the softer material and leave thousands of goblins, and the park is a designated International Dark Sky Park. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day and the visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a day-use pass for a private vehicle is $20* and is valid until 10 p.m. the day after purchase. Carbon County's tourism site gives directions from I-70: exit onto Highway 24 and drive south for approximately 24 miles to the signed park turnoff, then follow the paved road for about 12 miles. The park's page carries heat and flash-flood advisories and says not to hike canyons or camp in washes if there is any chance of rain.
*Fees subject to change, please check stateparks.utah.gov for updated information.
Nearest Airports
Straight-line distance from Goblin Valley State Park, not drive time.
- Canyonlands Regional (CNY) — 52 miles
- Bryce Canyon (BCE) — 100 miles
- Grand Junction Regional (GJT) — 122 miles
Live Conditions
Wildlife Spotted Nearby
We checked opening hours, fees and operating status on 2026-10-14. These change without notice — confirm with stateparks.utah.gov the week you travel.
Sources — 6 claims, 6 checked against the source
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape covered with sandstone goblins and formations is often compared to Mars; Goblin Valley is a designated International Dark Sky Park (checked 2026-10-14) | Utah State Parks - Goblin Valley State Park | Checked |
| The softer material is removed by wind and water, leaving thousands of unique geologic goblins (checked 2026-10-14) | Utah State Parks - Goblin Valley State Park history | Checked |
| Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. every day; visitor center open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (checked 2026-10-14) | Utah State Parks - Goblin Valley State Park (hours) | Checked monitored · 2026-10-14 |
| Day-use fee: private vehicle $20, valid until 10pm the day after purchase (checked 2026-10-14) | Utah State Parks - Goblin Valley State Park fees | Checked monitored · 2026-10-14 |
| Page carries a heat advisory and flash flood warnings; it does not recommend hiking canyons or camping in washes if there is any chance of rain (checked 2026-10-14) | Utah State Parks - Goblin Valley State Park (advisories) | Checked monitored · 2026-10-14 |
| From I-70, exit onto Highway 24 and drive south approximately 24 miles to the signed park turnoff; from the Hwy 24 turnoff, follow the paved road about 12 miles to the park (checked 2026-10-14) | Carbon County, Utah - Goblin Valley State Park | Checked |