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Goblin Valley State ParkNaturePhoto Wikimedia Commons

Goblin Valley State Park

Utah · United States

8 story sections

Well before we can learn about the goblins, we have to figure out how the valley came to be. Let’s rewind to the Jurassic Period, 170 million years ago. At this time, a shallow sea keeps ebbing and flowing in and out of this region. As millions of years pass, the sea deposits layers of sediment like sand, silt, and mud in the area.

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Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Goblin Valley State Park

    Welcome, intrepid explorers, to Goblin Valley State Park. As you step out of your vehicle at the main Observation Point, prepare to suspend your understanding of typical earthly landscapes. …

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  2. 2Wandering Valley One

    We now descend from the overlook directly into the heart of Valley One. This is the defining experience of Goblin Valley. …

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  3. 3The Iconic Three Sisters

    A short stroll from the main cluster of hoodoos brings us to the most famous and photographed specific formation within the park: The Three Sisters. Standing prominently on a slight ridge, slightly separated from the chaotic…

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  4. 4The Curtis Bench Trail

    For those seeking a marked, structured hike and a broader perspective of the park, the Curtis Bench Trail is an excellent academic pursuit. This relatively mellow, two-mile round trip hike runs parallel to the main valleys,…

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  5. 5Navigating Carmel Canyon

    Our expedition now takes a more rugged turn as we explore the Carmel Canyon Loop. While relatively short, this trail is decidedly more challenging than the open wandering of the goblin valleys. …

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  6. 6Descent into the Goblin's Lair

    For the truly adventurous, we now embark on the trail to the Goblin's Lair. This hike, roughly three miles round trip, extends beyond the Carmel Canyon loop and leads to one of the park's most hidden and spectacular secrets. …

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  7. 7Dark Skies and Desert Life

    Before we conclude our visit, we must look upward, away from the stone goblins, and consider the sky above. Goblin Valley State Park is officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park. …

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  8. 8Closing

    As our expedition to Goblin Valley State Park comes to a close, take one last, sweeping look across the basin. The thousands of stone goblins stand silent, casting long shadows as the sun moves across the Utah sky. …

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What is Goblin Valley State Park?

Goblin Valley State Park is a place in Utah · United States with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationUtah · United States
TypeNature
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates38.7173, -110.4944
Last updated
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