This Utah state park is hands-down our favorite in the state. It’s so fun to explore with kids—and even dogs. I love that the Goblin Valley “hikes” are so open-ended: No signs to stay on trail because you get to wander freely!

My kids are still talking about our visit to Goblin Valley, Utah. (They still giggle about how our dog, Finn, was afraid of the weird hoodoos! That’s right: Goblin Valley is a dog-friendly destination.)

Read on for the best things to do in this Utah park, including hikes, sightseeing and even disc golf. Want to stay overnight? Scroll down to the Goblin Valley camping section, including details on yurts.

Then grab your sunglasses and your sense of adventure—and get ready to explore among the goblins!

Goblin Valley Hikes + Hoodoos

Here are directions to the best Goblin Valley hikes:

1. Drive to the Goblin Valley observation point. Park.
2. Walk down the stairs into Valley 1. (The stairs are not steep but may pose a challenge to people with mobility limitations.)
3. Hike.

Really, it’s that simple.

Also, this trail-less hike is one of the reasons I love love love Goblin Valley State Park. You get to wander, explore and adventure all over the place.

As you walk through Goblin Valley, you’ll weave in and out of rock structures called hoodoos. So what is a hoodoo? It’s a column of rock eroded by the elements to leave behind a bumpy pinnacle or spire. Visitors to this area thought the lumpy rock formations looked like hunched creatures—which is how Goblin Valley got its name.

Goblin Valley was one of the best highlights of my family’s spring break road trip. My kids climbed all over hoodoos, played hide and seek in the maze of rock structures and climbed the rocky hills surrounding the hoodoo-filled valleys. Their adventuring hearts were full to the brim—as was mine.

We also loved scaling the cliffs that surround the valleys. My sure-footed mountain goats—I mean kids—scrambled up and down the hills, giving me only a few heart attacks. But boy the view from up there is epic!

If you check out a Goblin Valley State Park map, you’ll notice that it’s divided into three valleys. This is a little deceiving because one runs into the other. There are no formal barriers between valleys. They are marked this way to help visitors learn about the geologic features, since the areas are slightly different.

My best advice: Head down into the valleys and explore. It’s such a treat to wander without a trail—take advantage!

Remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Leave this piece of wilderness just as you found it.

Other Goblin Valley Hikes

We didn’t hike these designated Goblin Valley hikes when we visited. We were having too much fun exploring and climbing!

If you’re curious, here are details for other trails in the state park.

Carmel Canyon Trail, 1.5 miles round-trip. This loop includes a viewpoint overlooking Molly’s Castle, a huge outcrop that looks like—you guessed it—a castle or fortress. This Goblin Valley hike also includes short sections of slot canyons.

Entrada Canyon Trail, 3 miles out and back. This hike links the Goblin Valley campground to the Observation Point. The moderate hike includes up-close views of unusual hoodoos.

Curtis Bench Trail, 3 miles out and back. This trail takes you to higher elevations, giving you impressive views of both the Goblin Valley as well as outcroppings and mountains on all sides.

Goblin Valley State Park Viewpoints

There’s a good reason the main destination within Goblin Valley State Park is named simply Observation Point: It’s the easiest spot to get a sweeping view of the hoodoo valleys.

To get there, simply follow the state park road until it ends in a parking lot. Stretch your legs as you walk around the observation area. You can check out the valley below from several areas, including an overlook next to the restroom.

The main viewpoint is next to a sheltered picnic area. You can see people exploring the valleys below and get great panoramic photos.

You can hike to other viewpoints, too. You can check out another perspective from the Molly’s Castle Overlook about halfway through the Carmel Canyon Trail loop. There’s also an observation point at the end of the Curtis Bench Trail. Note, though, that the Curtis Bench trailhead is next to the Goblin Valley campground—not at the Observation Point parking lot.

Observation Point accommodations:

• Picnic shelter: This shaded area, full of picnic tables, is a great spot to eat in the shade.
• Restrooms: Make sure to use the bathroom here. There are no restrooms or other facilities in the valleys.
• Drinking fountain: Fill up your water bottles before starting your Goblin Valley hikes. You burn through more water than usual when hiking in the desert. Your dog can also get a drink of water here.
• Trash cans: Make sure to pack out all garbage from the valleys. Dispose of trash properly to keep this beautiful landscape pristine.
• Note: There is no cafe, restaurant or store. You can buy limited snacks and bottled beverages at the visitor center at the park’s entrance; otherwise, bring all food and drinks with you.

Goblin Valley Camping, Utah

Want a stunning home base to explore the San Rafael Swell and this hoodoo-filled park? You can post up in the Goblin Valley campground.

Hot summers and cold winters make spring and fall the best time for camping here.

You’ll want to plan in advance, as the campground commonly fills up. (It’s a small campground, making spots at an even greater premium.) You can reserve a campsite or a yurt at Reserve America up to six months in advance.

Goblin Valley Campground

The Goblin Valley Campground includes 24 campsites, a dump site, restrooms and a group site. Hot showers and flush toilets are available.

Sites include 10 tent sites and 14 RV sites. One thing I love about the Goblin Valley campground: Sites include a small shelter. These permanent structures provide shade and cover a picnic table—extremely welcome for hot, sunny days!

Campsites are nestled among rock formations and sandstone hills. They’re near trailheads, an OHV staging area and the disc golf course.

Goblin Valley campsites cost $35/night.

Goblin Valley Yurts

The Goblin Valley campground also includes two yurts. As you can imagine, these all-weather structures are in high demand, so reserve your Goblin Valley yurt well in advance.

The yurts are standard for what you’ve seen in other state parks. The round structures include:

• a bunkbed
• a futon
• table and chairs
• electricity

Yurts do not include linens, blankets or cooking supplies.

One thing I think is cool about Goblin Valley yurts: They include a little porch. I’ve never seen this in other state park yurts. The deck is a perfect spot to sit at night and stargaze.

Goblin Valley yurts cost $100/night.

Goblin Valley Disc Golf

My husband is a huge fan of disc golf, so when he found out there’s an epic Goblin Valley disc golf course—well, you can imagine how stoked he was.

We actually dropped him off at hole 1 to play while the kids, dogs and I explored the hoodoo valleys.

Hubs shared that this disc golf course is challenging and not ideal for beginners. You’ll tackle quite a lot of elevation change, with some pins situated atop stone spires. He got a lot of exercise hiking across the course and barely crossed paths with anyone. For such a unique course, the Goblin Valley disc golf is practically unused.

When we met up after his round, he was dusty, sweaty—and smiling like a maniac. He couldn’t get over what an amazing disc golf course was set up in this one-of-a-kind landscape.

More Goblin Valley State Park Photos

Want even more Goblin Valley State Park photos to tide you over until your own visit? I got you!

As you can see, Goblin Valley is a strange and beautiful place. I can’t wait for you to check it out for yourself.

Is Goblin Valley State Park worth visiting?

If you haven’t gathered by now, I adore Goblin Valley State Park. If you like the outdoors, I think you’ll love Goblin Valley, too! So in short, YES: Goblin Valley State Park is 100% worth visiting.

To recap, a few reasons why Goblin Valley should be on your Utah itinerary:

• It’s unlike anyplace else. The rock formations are so weird!
• Goblin Valley is like an outdoor wonderland for kids (and adults!). You can climb hoodoos, scale rock walls and wander to your heart’s content.
• Dogs are allowed. Unlike national parks, this state park welcomes pets.
• The park is beautiful. This otherworldly desert scenery is just breathtaking.
• Goblin Valley State Park is a bit off the beaten path. It’s much, much less crowded than nearby national parks.

Still have questions? Check out these FAQs.

Not yet ready to explore Goblin Valley? Pin this post for later! And if you’re in the area, make sure to check out my post on our other fave Utah state park, Dead Horse Point State Park!

The post Goblin Valley State Park, Utah Guide: Hikes, hoodoos, camping + more appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

This Utah state park overlooks dramatic canyons and the Colorado River. The rock formations are stunning. The kid-friendly hiking trails are perfect for mountain goats—I mean children—who like a little scramble with their walk. And the mountain biking trails draw experts as well as families from all over.

Views from the visitor center and Dead Horse Point overlook alone are worth the short drive from Moab and Arches.

So if you’re looking for something to do in Moab that’s not a national park, check out Dead Horse Point State Park. The views are breathtaking. Then, once you catch your breath again, you can tell all your friends about this impressive park. They’ll be sure to thank you.

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Why do they call it Dead Horse Point?

Maxine and Edie were less than thrilled with the name of this Utah state park. The name is a bit grisly—especially when you hear the history behind it.

So why is Dead Horse Point named that?

Years ago, cowherds used to use the geography of the land to corral wild horses. They’d herd them to what’s now called Dead Horse Point, which is a small piece of land surrounded by sheer dropoffs. A narrow stretch of land—the Neck—connected this spot to the rest of the area. The cowherds would block the Neck so horses couldn’t escape.

The horses would be penned in by the natural landscape, enabling cowherds to select the horses they wanted to keep. Once they’d made their selections, they’d remove the obstacles and let the other animals run free.

Legend says that one day, cowherds forgot to take away the block. The horses weren’t able to get free. Supposedly, the horses were left without water and died.

Gruesome, I know.

I keep in mind that stories like these are often apocryphal—meaning they make good stories but aren’t necessarily rooted in fact. I don’t know if that’s the case with Dead Horse Point but I sure hope so.

Maxine and Edie just about revolted every time Hubs and I said the park’s name. Edie took it upon herself to rename the park. Now, in our family, this area is called The Dip. She chose that name because the land takes a big dip—thousands of feet down red cliffs to the valley floor. It’s a much nicer name, don’t you think?

Start at the Visitor Center

Right after you enter Dead Horse Point State Park, you’ll arrive at the visitor center. Insider, you’ll find postcards, gifts and books—the usual. You can even grab a drink and sit on the wide porch overlooking the canyons. The restrooms are also clean—ideal if you’ve been driving a while.

Those things aren’t this spot’s main draw, though.

Leave your car in the parking lot and go straight to the viewpoints.

These spots give you different views of the canyon. Look for the strata in the cliffs—the different layers of rock formed over millions of years. You can see layers of rock formed by petrified sand dunes and even sediments left behind by prehistoric oceans.

Erosion scooped and sculpted the landscape, leaving behind deep canyons, towering spires and high buttes.

A paved path winds along the rim. This is an easy walk for kids and dogs. I don’t believe the path is ADA accessible because it seemed steeper than is allowed in parts and there were cracks in the pavement here and there.

A few benches provide spots to rest and admire the views—or complain and refuse to go farther without M&M’s, as the case may be.

Dead Horse Point Overlook

Next, drive a little farther past the visitor center. Head to the Dead Horse Point Overlook to see the vast landscape spread out 2,000 feet below. You’ll see the Colorado River winding its way through the desert.

The Dead Horse Point Overlook is truly special because you can see nearly 360 degrees around you. Check out the different viewpoints around the overlook. No matter where you stand, you’ll catch breathtaking views.

On the west side of Dead Horse Point Overlook, a raised platform raises you even higher. You can peer almost straight-down into the canyon at the river. This is also an ideal place for a group photo.

You can continue hiking from Dead Horse Point Overlook. Stay on the side of the visitor center to catch the East Rim Trail or walk past the raised platform to connect to the West Rim Trail. (More on hiking below.)

The Dead Horse Point Overlook has plenty of shaded picnic tables and benches, making it an ideal stop for lunch. You can also use the restroom here.

Let the kids climb around on the rocks—but watch them closely. We kept Maxine and Edie away from the edge, which is unfenced. The fall would be catastrophic to say the least. Thankfully, large stone shelves and boulders away from the edge offer plenty of spots for rock climbing.

When you’re driving back toward the visitor center and state park exit, stop at a pullout along the road. Get out of the car for a moment to see the Neck, the narrow stretch of land that connects Dead Horse Point to the rest of the park. The Neck is only 30 yards wide! At this amazing spot, you can see canyons dropping off to your left and right.

You can also walk to these points from the parking lot at the Dead Horse Point Overlook.

Dead Horse Point State Park Yurts and Camping

Dead Horse Point camping is some of the most impressive in the area. Yurts and campsites are located on little hills, giving you an incredible vantage point.

It’s no wonder why this is some of the best camping near Moab, Utah!

My family didn’t camp at Dead Horse Point—this time. We stayed in nearby Moab, about 40 minutes away. A friend of mine camped with her family recently at this Utah state park, though, and she was generous enough to share her camping photos.

One thing I appreciate about Dead Horse Point State Park camping: Campsites are distributed among several campgrounds. That means you never feel crowded.

There are 64 sites total among three campgrounds: Kayenta, Wingate and Moenkopi. Campgrounds include tent sites, yurts, and partial hookup RV sites.

The Dead Horse Point yurts in particular are incredibly popular, so you’ll want to make reservations as soon as you can. Like many camping reservations, you can book a stay six months in advance. Any sooner than that and you’ll have to wait until the reservation system opens availability.

Click here to make camping reservations at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab, Utah.

Dead Horse Point Hiking

It’s time to stretch your legs! Good thing Dead Horse Point hiking is so gorgeous.

Several hiking trails wind through Dead Horse Point State Park. It’s easiest to talk about them in two main parts: the East Rim Trail and West Rim Trail.

Hike on the side of the visitor center and you’re on the East Rim Trail. Dead Horse Point Overlook is the dividing line between it and the West Rim Trail.

The East Rim Trail seems to be more popular because you can easily start it from the visitor center—the first stop most visitors make.

The hiking trails involve stepping over (or even climbing) rocks along the clearly marked path. Watch for cairns to show you the way. Dogs are allowed on hiking trails, but bikes are not. (We didn’t hike much here because Luna, our 10-year-old Great Pyrenees, can’t navigate up and over rocks. Her ol’ hips aren’t what they used to be.)

Several spurs jut out from the East Rim and West Rim Trails. These spurs lead to overlooks for more gorgeous views of the canyons.

The West Rim Trail has more views of the Colorado River. It’s the longer of the two—3 miles compared to 1.5 miles. You can combine them for a Dead Horse Point Park hiking loop:

Begin at the visitor center. Walk 1.5 miles along the East Rim Trail. You’ll continue around the Dead Horse Point Overlook, connecting to the West Rim Trail. Keep right at the spur leading to Big Horn Overlook to return to the visitor center. This loop is less than 5 miles, though you will exceed that length if you hike the spurs to overlooks along the way.

In addition to the East and West Rim Trails, you can hike the Bighorn Overlook Trail and Desert View Overlook Trail. The Big Horn Overlook Trail is the least trafficked because it’s a bit out of the way. It’s a great hike if you’re camping in the Kayenta Campground: The trailhead is just past the campground.

Moab mountain biking – Utah

Some of the most popular mountain biking in Utah can be found at Dead Horse Point State Park. Trails wind through the park, taking you through gorgeous desert landscapes.

You’ll find trails beginner through advanced here, near Moab. Your best bet is to check out the map and look for the key on the bottom right.

Here are the mountain biking trails within Dead Horse Point SP:

As you can see, no single trail is particularly long. That’s why it’s common for people to combine trails to make a customized route.

When my family visited Dead Horse Point State Park, we didn’t bike any of the mountain bike trails. We saw plenty of other folks do so, though. We also saw plenty of kids riding the easier trails.

So if you’re looking for Moab mountain biking trails, don’t discount this scenic Utah state park.

Finally, consider some of the other mountain biking in Utah near Dead Horse Point. There are trailheads all along Highway 313. This is the road between Highway 191 (the road Moab and Arches are along) and Dead Horse Point.

Dead Horse Point with Kids

As you can see, I absolutely recommend visiting Dead Horse Point with kids. My girls loved this scenic alternative to Arches National Park.

Although national parks are much better known for their junior ranger programs, some state parks have their own versions. Good news: Dead Horse Point State Park has a junior ranger program, too!

Here’s how to participate:

Stop by the visitor center when you first arrive. A ranger inside will give each of your kids a paper booklet filled with activities.

Kids complete activities as they explore the park. Maxine and Edie got really into their junior ranger booklets!

When you’re ready to leave, stop by the visitor center again. Your kids will show their completed pages to a ranger. The ranger will lead them in saying a pledge, which centers around protecting outdoor spaces.

Then the kids officially become junior rangers—complete with a free badge!

Dead Horse Point State Park with Dogs

National parks, including Arches and Canyonlands, have strict policies about visiting with dogs. State parks are much more flexible.

That means Dead Horse Point State Park is dog-friendly!

Dogs are welcome along all this park’s walking trails, overlooks and other areas to explore. Dogs are not allowed on mountain biking trails.

Pets must be kept on-leash at all times. Please be respectful and clean up dog waste. Don’t leave animals in your car—vehicles can heat up quickly.

What to do if Arches is full

Dead Horse Point State Park is an excellent alternative activity if Arches National Park is full.

Less than a 40-minute drive from the entrance to Arches, this state park is much less popular—and a great option of you can’t get into the national park.

Folks familiar with visiting Arches National Park know that Arches closes when it reaches a maximum number of visitors. If that’s the case, don’t return to Moab. Instead, continue on to Dead Horse Point State Park.

You’ll get to explore another gorgeous outdoor area. It’s hard to feel disappointed when you’re taking in these views!

How to visit Dead Horse Point: The details

Now that you’re excited to visit, here’s what you need to know about coming to Dead Horse Point.

Have you ever been to Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah? Let me know in the comments!

If you’re adding it to your wish list of places to visit near Moab, pin one of these images for later!

Looking for more places to go? Check out my post on Valley of Fire in nearby Nevada.

The post Stunning Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab: Alternative to Arches appeared first on To & Fro Fam.