10 min
See that raised ridgeline up ahead? That’s known as the San Rafael Swell. This impressive geological formation covers approximately 2,000 square miles! And it looms as high as 7,000 feet above sea level!
Note: The tour is over 15 miles long, with more than 15+ audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete.
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Goblin Valley State ParkPass by
Welcome to Goblin Valley! From mushroom-like rock formations to ancient and mysterious art, there’s no shortage of fascinating sights in this valley.
10 min
Keep an eye out for the parking area coming up on our right. When you see it, turn in and park. This is the Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel, decorated with ancient art. Some of the images are part of the Barrier Canyon Style I just mentioned, with the tall humanoid figures and abstract motifs. But others employ a totally different style. That’s part of how archaeologists know the Fremont people lived here after the artists of the Barrier Canyon Style were gone!
10 min
See that impressive rock formation far off to our left? That’s Molly’s Castle! The outcrop stands at over 5,000 feet above sea level! It’s easy to see where this gigantic red rock landmark gets its title. The sandstone seems to form turrets and towers and walls.
10 min
That enormous structure ahead and to our right is Wild Horse Butte. This one stands at 5,760 feet above sea level! Just like the goblins and Molly’s Castle, this rock formation also found its peculiar shape by wind and water sculpting it over millions of years.
10 min
Look ahead and to our left a little. Do you see that red rock formation with the three strangely-shaped columns sticking up out of the top? Those are the iconic Three Sisters! If you’ve seen a photo of Goblin Valley State Park, then you’ve probably seen a photo of this trio! These three hoodoos stand prim and proper atop their rocky home. The locals have nicknamed them Sister Superior, Sister Act and Sister Mary for their stately and poised bearing.
10 min
Did you know that Goblin Valley has the highest occurrence of hoodoos in the world? Yep, even more than Bryce Canyon! There are thousands here! It’s almost like an alien landscape… which explains why Hollywood chose it as a key filming location for Galaxy Quest, the 1999 sci-fi comedy starring Tim Allen!
