🏜️ Goblin Valley Magic & Midnight Campfires – Our Free Camp Experience in Desert Wonderland
- Switching Gears RV Diary
- Dec 22, 2024
- 4 min read
On a crisp morning, just outside Capitol Reef National Park, we wrapped up our last off-roading adventure through dramatic desert monoliths. But the real thrill began when we hit Hanksville, stocked up, and discovered a spot on our bucket list: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah’s otherworldly realm of mushroom-shaped hoodoos.
🌅 Early Morning in Hanksville: Breakfast, Local Charm & Hollow Mountain
Our van rattled into Hanksville under a pastel sunrise. With its population hovering around 200 souls, it’s no metropolis—but today it proved more than just a gas-and-go stop.
Breakfast of champions: We pulled into a modest diner where “The Hubs” struck a pose with his local hero—a quirky photo op on their wall of fame.
Where nature meets neon: Next, we rolled into Hollow Mountain Trading Post—a tiny convenience store built right into the rock. We stocked up on essentials: emptied our trash, filled with free air, and water, and had the quirky pleasure of shopping inside a mountain. Don’t miss it.
🚐 Off the Beaten Path: Camping Near Goblin Valley
With the sun climbing, we aimed west—just a few minutes away from Goblin Valley proper—but chose freedom over pricey park camping.
Why we ditched the campground:
🏕 The park’s RV-only camp cost a flat $45/night, with no hookups
🌌 We craved solitude—and so we bypassed it for a free, rock-laden dispersed site
🚙 With the help of “Julius” (our 4WD side by side), we could scout out rocky spur roads easily and snag the perfect scenic perch
🪨 Picking Our Perfect Campsite Among Giant Goblin Rocks
We eased into the rocky back road. Campsites were numbered and tucked into sandstone formations—big rocks everywhere.
Then we found it:
Sweeping granite formations
Proximity to Goblin Valley for quick sunrise hikes
Privacy—perfect for star-lit campfires
Within minutes, we set up camp…life felt complete.
🌌 A Night Under Stars and Rock Sentinels
Night fell, and the desert darkness swallowed the sky. No lights, no crowds—just a roaring fire ring (ours) and the hush of goblins slumbering in stone.
We reflected: this is what remote road-tripping is all about—freedom, comfort, and communion with nature’s art.
🌄 Sunrise at Goblin Valley Overlook – Thousands of Hoodoos in Morning Glow
By dawn, we were at the Goblin Valley Overlook, coffee in hand, savoring the spectacle.
Sea of hoodoos: mushroom-shaped rock formations carved by wind and rain
Saturated hues: oranges and purples enhanced by the morning sun
Met forces: wind, water, and time sculpted a bizarre alien landscape
It was like Mars came to Earth—and we felt small, but thrilled.
🧭 The Cowboy Discovery: From Hite Ferry to Goblin Valley Park
Goblin Valley isn’t just scenery—it’s a story. In the late 1920s, cowboys and pioneers found five monoliths near a canyon rim. Arthur Chaffin, a ferry operator on the Green River, spotted the formations and named it “Mushroom Valley.”
He returned in 1949, walked its gullies, photographed its curves. The name Goblin Valley stuck. By 1964, Utah had transformed it into a State Park, preserving its strangeness and protecting its geology.
🪨 The Geology Behind the Goblins: Sand, Silt & Time
What creates Goblin Valley’s unique formations?
Entrada Sandstone sits atop softer rock layers
Differential erosion: soft silt washes away, leaving harder caps balanced on narrow stems
Wind & rain etch the whimsical shapes—mushroom caps, goblin hats, fairy toadstools
Without vegetation to slow water, rain washes fast, carving features that shift and grow deeper over centuries.
🎬 Goblin Valley on Screen: UFOs, Epic Films & Desert Dreams
Goblin Valley’s alien look is Hollywood-ready. It’s appeared in:
Galaxy Quest (1999)
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994)
The Tree of Life (2011)
The valley’s bizarre backdrop adds cinematic mystery and majesty—perfect for sci-fi, suspense, or even profound storytelling.
🎒 Park Info & Camping Tips: The Ultimate Goblin Visit
Planning a Goblin Valley trip? Here's what you need:
Item | Detail |
Park Hours | 6 AM–10 PM |
Entrance Fee | Valid for 24 hrs |
Campgrounds | State park RV/tent sites and Yurts |
Dispersed Camping | Free sites nearby (GPS: 38.574895, -110.739353) |
Conditions | 4WD recommended for spurs |
No Hookups | Vault toilets only in park; rustic campsites |
Leave No Trace | Pack out your trash; respect delicate hoodoos |
🚶♀️ What’s Next? Slot Canyon Ramble & More
Our sleepless, star-lit night segued into another day of adventure. Up next: hiking a nearby slot canyon, off-road trembles, and more hidden Utah magic.
But for now, we rest in the hoodoo glow—camped free, living dream, and counting stars.
✨ Why This is the Best-Kept Utah Secret
There are plenty of destinations perfect in Instagram glory—but Goblin Valley’s secluded neighbors offer something rare:
Immersive rock proximity—surrounded by massive sculpted stones
No crowds, no reservations, no fees (if you play it right)
Off-grid satisfaction—experiencing nature on your terms
We traded a $45 campsite for magic and solitude—and found more value than any wilderness retreat could offer.
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🧭 Related Reads & Resources:
💬 Final Thoughts
In Goblin Valley, every eroded figure whispers a story. We came chasing cinematic rocks—and found solitude, free camping, and dozens of rock guardians watching over us. It’s the perfect capstone for our Remote Scenic Places in Utah series.
If you’re ready to find magic in silence and stones, join us for our next desert road.
Happy travels—and remember: the best destinations aren’t always the easiest to find.
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