Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
There is no route to follow and no wrong turn, which is rare on public land and is the entire point. The park splits the goblins into three valleys: the first is flat, easy to see across, and packed with clusters of the stunted hoodoos, the second runs south into side canyons where the formations get taller, and the third sits more than a mile out from the observation point. The first valley alone will fill an afternoon for most families. Anything past the third valley needs GPS and real desert navigation.
The Trail
No trail needed - wander a valley of goblins. Best kid terrain in the state.
Heat note: desert country - in summer start at dawn and carry more water than feels reasonable.
Pack Loadout (Easy)
Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, snacks, comfortable shoes.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: Fruita Campground (Camping, 35 mi) · Millsite Reservoir (Fishing, 45 mi) · Willow Flat Campground (Camping, 46 mi) · Singletree Campground (Camping, 48 mi)
More hikes nearby: Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyon (Hike, 6 mi) · Grand Wash (Hike, 34 mi) · Hickman Bridge (Hike, 34 mi) · Capitol Gorge & The Tanks (Hike, 35 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Goblin Valley Free Roam hike?
- 1.5 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Goblin Valley Free Roam?
- Easy. Kid rating: 5 out of 5.
- When should I hike Goblin Valley Free Roam?
- Best season: All year.
- Why hike Goblin Valley Free Roam?
- Goblin Valley is one of the only places in Utah where the rules let you walk anywhere you want. Kids can pick their own line through several dozen clusters of squat sandstone hoodoos, and sightlines stay open enough that you rarely lose anyone. Named trails like Carmel Canyon and Entrada Canyon are there if you want structure.