charged for group-use and reservations. and group-use for charged

- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. a.m. 7:00 to p.m. 10:00 - Quiet hours Quiet

Day-use and camping fees are charged. Additional fees are are fees Additional charged. are fees camping and Day-use while hiking. while

station is provided for registered campers. registered for provided is station

Goblin Valley is a remote, rugged area. Use caution caution Use area. rugged remote, a is Valley Goblin w

User Fees User campers or trailers onto the ground. A sanitary disposal disposal sanitary A ground. the onto trailers or campers

- It is unlawful to dump or to drain water from from water drain to or dump to unlawful is It - Waste water Waste in summer. in

Drink plenty of water — one gallon per person per day day per person per gallon one — water of plenty Drink

w are available on a first-come, first-served basis. basis. first-served first-come, a on available are - The speed limit within all park areas is 15 mph. 15 is areas park all within limit speed The - limit Speed

Reservations are not required but advised. Unreserved sites sites Unreserved advised. but required not are Reservations

parks beautiful. parks thunderstorms.

3770 within Salt Lake City or toll free 800-322-3770. 800-322-3770. free toll or City Lake Salt within 3770

or constructed feature or structure. Please help keep our our keep help Please structure. or feature constructed or locations. Seek shelter in a building or vehicle during during vehicle or building a in shelter Seek locations.

in advance. To make a reservation, please call 801-322- call please reservation, a make To advance. in

- It is unlawful to mutilate or deface any natural natural any deface or mutilate to unlawful is It - Vandalism Lightning danger is severe in exposed valley and park park and valley exposed in severe is danger Lightning

w Group-use reservations may be made up to 11 months months 11 to up made be may reservations Group-use

fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited in state parks. state in prohibited are firecrackers and fireworks Safety Tips Safety two days to 16 weeks in advance of park departure date. date. departure park of advance in weeks 16 to days two

- Unless authorized by the park manager, manager, park the by authorized Unless - Fireworks campsites. Individual campsite reservations may be made made be may reservations campsite Individual campsites.

Reservations are available for group-use and individual individual and group-use for available are Reservations

in the performance of their official duties. official their of performance the in

Weapons Act; or used by authorized law enforcement officers officers enforcement law authorized by used or Act; Weapons

Reservations

or an authorized event; used in accordance with the Concealed Concealed the with accordance in used event; authorized an or

the legal pursuit of wildlife; authorized by a Special Use Permit Permit Use Special a by authorized wildlife; of pursuit legal the

park system unless: The weapon or device is being used for for used being is device or weapon The unless: system park into the teens and single digits at night. at digits single and teens the into

any person or animal or damage property are prohibited in the the in prohibited are property damage or animal or person any Temperatures are above freezing most days, but often drop drop often but days, most freezing above are Temperatures

launching a projectile which could immobilize, injure, or kill kill or injure, immobilize, could which projectile a launching Colder temperatures and occasional snow. snow. occasional and temperatures Colder - Winter Winter

air and gas-powered types, and all other devices capable of of capable devices other all and types, gas-powered and air

- The discharge of weapons or firearms, including including firearms, or weapons of discharge The - Firearms occasional snow. occasional

abrupt changes, including strong winds, rain, hail and and hail rain, winds, strong including changes, abrupt

to remove, alter or destroy them. destroy or alter remove, to

sunny and warm, nights clear and cool. Be prepared for for prepared Be cool. and clear nights warm, and sunny

natural features in state parks are protected. It is unlawful unlawful is It protected. are parks state in features natural

Variable weather. Days are often often are Days weather. Variable - Spring and Autumn and Spring

- All plants, animals, minerals and other other and minerals animals, plants, All - Plants and animals and Plants

contact a park ranger. park a contact

flash flooding in nearby slot canyons. slot nearby in flooding flash

permitted in areas near the park. For designated areas areas designated For park. the near areas in permitted

dramatically, but also bring danger of lightning strikes and and strikes lightning of danger bring also but dramatically,

- Off-highway vehicle riding is is riding vehicle Off-highway - Off-highway vehicles Off-highway

thundershowers in late summer cool temperatures temperatures cool summer late in thundershowers

during the day and fall to the mid 60s at night. Afternoon Afternoon night. at 60s mid the to fall and day the during campground.

- Temperatures can reach to 90s to low 100s 100s low to 90s to reach can Temperatures - Summer trails, in the valley of goblins or off paved areas within the the within areas paved off or goblins of valley the in trails, around the next corner. next the around

and in parking areas. Bicycles are not allowed on hiking hiking on allowed not are Bicycles areas. parking in and that lends itself to those who enjoy discovering what is is what discovering enjoy who those to itself lends that

allow evenings to cool off rapidly. off cool to evenings allow - Bicycling is permitted on established public roads roads public established on permitted is Bicycling - Bicycles the goblins and back. The trail follows a natural drainage drainage natural a follows trail The back. and goblins the

and San Rafael Reef. Low humidity and sparse vegetation vegetation sparse and humidity Low Reef. Rafael San and

strenuous 1.3-mile one-way trail from the campground to to campground the from trail one-way 1.3-mile strenuous up after them. after up

Clear desert skies offer spectacular views of the desert floor floor desert the of views spectacular offer skies desert Clear

- An adventuresome, moderately moderately adventuresome, An - Entrada Canyon Entrada courtesy, please keep your pets under control and clean clean and control under pets your keep please courtesy,

only animals admitted in park buildings. For safety and and safety For buildings. park in admitted animals only

Weather

Henry Mountains. Henry on a maximum six-foot leash. Service animals are the the are animals Service leash. six-foot maximum a on

overview of Goblin Valley as well as spectacular views of the the of views spectacular as well as Valley Goblin of overview - Pets are allowed in Utah state parks, but must be be must but parks, state Utah in allowed are Pets - Pets

that follows the Curtis formation. The trail offers a unique unique a offers trail The formation. Curtis the follows that

facilities. Firewood is available for sale at the Visitor Center. Visitor the at sale for available is Firewood facilities.

- A fairly easy 2.1-mile out and back trail trail back and out 2.1-mile easy fairly A - Curtis Bench Curtis

developed campsites provide camp stoves or charcoal charcoal or stoves camp provide campsites developed

- Campfires may be built in specified areas. Most Most areas. specified in built be may Campfires - Fires

Optional hike to Molly’s Castle Overlook. Castle Molly’s to hike Optional

way, visitors see Goblin Valley from different perspectives. perspectives. different from Valley Goblin see visitors way, equipment. Up to eight people are allowed in a campsite. a in allowed are people eight to Up equipment.

leading from the parking area to the desert floor. Along the the Along floor. desert the to area parking the from leading There is an extra fee for additional vehicles or camping camping or vehicles additional for fee extra an is There

- A 1.5-mile moderately strenuous loop loop strenuous moderately 1.5-mile A - covers one vehicle and any attached recreational equipment. equipment. recreational attached any and vehicle one covers Carmel Canyon Carmel

- Camp only in designated areas. Each permit permit Each areas. designated in only Camp - Camping

and in between the goblins, and offers three trails: three offers and goblins, the between in and

everyone’s visit is pleasant. is visit everyone’s

Goblin Valley allows visitors to explore and meander among among meander and explore to visitors allows Valley Goblin

Please observe the following park regulations to ensure ensure to regulations park following the observe Please

Activities Guidelines

Your park fees provide for the care, protection and enhancement of this park. Goblin Valley Park Location: State Park The park is located 50 miles southwest of Green River off State Highway 24.

Operating Hours: The park is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round.

Address Inquiries To: Goblin Valley State Park PO Box 637 Green River, UT 84525 (435) 275-4584 or Utah State Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001 (801) 538-7220, (877) UT-PARKS stateparks.utah.gov

For Reservations Call: (800) 322-3770

Utah State Parks Mission: To enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing natural, cultural and recreational resources for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations.

Information contained in this brochure was accurate at the time of printing. Policies, facilities, fees, hours and regulations, etc., change as mandated. For updated information please contact the park.

Printed on recycled paper 06/11 30 M

Utah State Parks STATE PARK

From deposits laid 170 million years ago by a vast inland sea, Goblin Valley State Park was sculpted by forces of nature such as uplift and erosion by wind and water. Today, results of these geologic forces are witnessed in the stone gnomes inhabiting the valley. These uniquely shaped goblins lure visitors to join them in their desert playground.

Goblin Valley State Park is located in Emery County between Green River and Hanksville. Follow Highway 24 to Temple Mountain Junction (mile post 136), and proceed 12 miles southwest to the park. Story of Goblin Valley

Cowboys searching for cattle were among the first to discover secluded Goblin Valley. In the late 1920s, Arthur Chaffin, owner/operator of the Hite Ferry, and two companions were searching for an alternative route between Green River and Caineville. They came to a vantage point about one mile west of Goblin Valley and were awed by what they saw — five buttes and a valley of strange-shaped rock formations surrounded by a wall of eroded GOBLIN VALLEY cliffs. In 1949 Chaffin returned to the area he called Mushroom Valley. He spent several days exploring the mysterious valley and photographing its scores of intricately eroded creatures.

Publicity attracted visitors to the valley despite its remoteness. In 1954 it was proposed that Goblin Valley be protected from vandalism. The state of Utah later acquired the property and established Goblin Valley State Reserve. It was officially designated a state park on August 24, 1964.

Geology

The wonderful stone shapes of Goblin Valley result from millions of years of geologic history. The goblins are made of Entrada sandstone, which consist of debris eroded from former highlands and redeposited here on a tidal flat Summerville (alternating layers of sandstone, siltstone and shale). The goblins show evidence of being near an ancient sea with 1) the ebb and flow of tides, 2) tidal channels that directed currents back to Curtis the sea and 3) coastal sand dunes.

Joint or fracture patterns within the Entrada’s sandstone beds create initial zones of weakness. The unweathered joints intersect Entrada to form sharp edges and corners with greater ago million years - 170 145 Upper Jurassic Formations Jurassic Upper surface-area-to-volume ratios than the faces. As a result, the edges weather more quickly, producing spherical-shaped goblins.

GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK Plants and Animals

Vegetation is limited to hardy desert species, which can endure blowing sand and hot, dry To Molly’s Castle surface conditions. Vegetation and wildlife exist on a limited supply of water in this arid desert Map Legend To Little Wild Horse Canyon environment. Plants have adapted by reducing the size of their leaves, as smaller leaves lose Wild Horse ? Entrance Station/Visitor Center Butte less water through transpiration. Some plants _ Restrooms OHV Stage ? have a waxy coating on their leaves, which also 3 Covered Picnic Area Area reduces water loss. Visitors will likely encounter [ Viewpoint =A Mormon tea (joint fir), Russian thistle, Indian = F Hiking Trailhead ricegrass and various cacti. Nearby, at slightly 9 Campground 9_ higher elevations, are juniper and pinyon pine. G F 9 Group Campground 9G Price Entrada Canyon Trail Animals often must travel many miles to find =A Amphitheater Carmel Canyon Trail water or wait for thunderstorms to provide = Ranger Residence Curtis Bench Trail [ moisture. Most animals in the area are Hiking Trail Molly’s Castle Paved Road F Overlook nocturnal, venturing out only in the cooler Unpaved Road _3[ evenings to hunt and forage for food. Some Observation Point animals get water from the food they eat and go for weeks without a drink of water. Jackrabbits, Valley 1 scorpions, kangaroo rats, pronghorn, kit foxes, 6 191 midget faded rattler and coyotes are found [ within and near the park. Green 10 River Valley 2 Desert animals have only a slight edge on the 70 harsh environment in which they live. Chasing Emery or harassing them uses up precious reserves

70 they cannot afford to lose. Please respect their home, and do not disrupt their tenuous struggle

San Rafael Swell for existence. 24

Goblin Valley Valley 3 State Park

Capitol Reef 24 Hanksville National Park Caineville 95