⛰️ Goblin Valley: A Galaxy Quest Adventure in a Land of Goblins

Goblin Valley State Park rock formation resembling Galaxy Quest monster.

Rock Monster Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley State Park is a truly wondrous place, unlike anywhere else on Earth. You don't just visit it; you *enter* it. It's a vast, open-air playground where thousands of whimsical hoodoos and toadstool-like formations invite you to let your imagination run wild. For me, it's even more enjoyable when I envision myself as one of these playful goblins, and then imagine a spaceship, perhaps from Tim Allen's "Galaxy Quest," suddenly landing in our midst. How would we react to these strange arrivals? This is a place that sparks joy and creativity, and my adventure here inspired me to bring that fantasy to life.

🌟 The Golden Nugget

Don't Miss This: Don't stop at the first valley! Goblin Valley is made up of three distinct "lairs" and is meant for wandering. Head around what seems like a tall wall to the right of the main viewing area to discover the second and third valleys. For a true adventure, seek out the trail to the hidden Goblin's Lair cave. The longer you explore, the more magic you'll find!

👽 Hollywood in the Hoodoos: The Galaxy Quest Connection

If you are a fan of the cult classic sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest, walking into Goblin Valley feels like stepping right onto the movie set—because you are! This state park was the actual filming location for the alien planet where the crew lands the NSEA Protector.

There is a famous moment in the movie where Captain Taggart (Tim Allen) lands on a rocky, alien planet. At first, the crew is ecstatic. They can breathe the air! The landscape looks fascinating! It seems like the perfect place to explore. But as they wander amidst the creature-like hoodoos, Taggart realizes they aren't as welcome as they thought. The rocks suddenly form together, creating an enormous Rock Monster (the "Gorignak") that chases him right back to the ship.

Look for the Spaceships: As you wander the valley, keep an eye out for the "green spaceship domes." Amidst the jagged goblins, you will occasionally find these smooth, green-tinted mounds that look suspiciously like landed UFOs. It really sells the feeling that you are on another planet.

In my VR video below, I wanted to recreate that "Taggart Experience." I’m an amateur filmmaker, but I had so much fun using green screens and poetry to immerse you in a similar story—where the goblins come alive to protect their home!

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO GOBLIN VALLEY

This is where imagination takes flight! Experience Goblin Valley through the lens of a sci-fi comedy, and then immerse yourself in my creative take on what it's like to be a goblin with unexpected visitors.

Setting the Stage: The Galaxy Quest Moment

🥽 How to Experience This VR 360 Video

This isn't a normal flat video—it's a spherical experience designed to transport you! Here is how to watch it for the best effect:

On Desktop: Use your mouse to click and drag on the video screen to look around in all directions.

On Mobile: You can physically move your phone around you (up, down, left, right) to explore the world as if it were a window. If you have a cardboard headset, tap the mask icon!

Pro Tip: If you are moving your device, try sitting in a swivel chair. Remember where the "front" of the video started—I usually place the most beautiful action there, but don't forget to look behind you!

Immersive VR 360° Journey: Goblins Come Alive!
"It was a very fun journey figuring out some of the steps to make this come alive. It is not the best, but it was my early on attempt, and it still makes me smile."
🗺️ Adventure at a Glance
🏞️ Location/Park: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
🥾 Hike/Activity: Easy wandering, exploration, photography, canyoneering.
📏 Distance: Variable, 1-3+ miles of self-guided exploration.
📈 Elevation Gain: Minimal in the main valley.
⏳ Recommended Time: 2-4 hours for the main valleys, more for Goblin's Lair.
⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds for uniqueness and fun!)
🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The Three Valleys, the "green spaceship" formations, and the hidden Goblin's Lair cave.

🥾 My Goblin Valley Story: A Field Trip for the Imagination

Once you enter the valley, it's an immediate invitation to play. You're surrounded by thousands of these incredible, mushroom-shaped hoodoos that truly look like a playful army of goblins. It's a place where letting your imagination run wild isn't just encouraged, it's almost mandatory! I had such a fun time envisioning myself as one of these resident goblins, imagining their lives, and then picturing their reaction if a spaceship from "Galaxy Quest" suddenly landed in their midst. This fun "what if" scenario was the spark for my video, and it was a joyful, creative challenge to bring that story to life.

Goblin Valley - Galaxy Quest

A Goblin's Grand Stand

The wind whispered Secrets through the hoodoo tall
As Noggle and Grumpy mischievous and small.

Play hide and seek a joyful playful Chase
Sshapeshifting wonders in this hidden space

A long nose a tower a giggling Delight,
They vanished and reappeared morning new and Night.

But Shadows descended a chilling metallic gleam.
A spaceship descended a fearsome cold dream.

Grumpy tremble, "Our home they will claim."
His voice cracked with fear, "This is a dreadful game."

Noggle ever Brave, "We must not despair
We'll face this challenge with courage to spare."

A perilous climb up the mountain so steep
To spy on the Invaders secrets to keep.

Their hearts pounded fast with a mixture of dread,
But curiosity urged, "We must go ahead."

Reaching the summit they gasped in dismay.
The spaceship hummed casting a menacing Ray.

The Goblins, United, A Chorus of fright,
"We'll protect our Valley, with all of our might!"

Noggle the Nimble clambered onto Grumpy's wide back
A towering Beast, formed in a magical track.

They merged, a rock giant, a fearsome display,
Roaring and charging, scaring the Invaders away.

The spaceship retreated, a whimpering sound,
Leaving the Goblins, safe and sound.

They learn that courage, when bravely displayed,
Can conquer all fears and shadows allayed.

Just as the goblins with courage and might
Conquered Their Fear And stood up for the right.

So too can we Face challenges bold
With kindness and strength let our spirits unfold.

For within each of us a hidden might lies,
To overcome obstacles and touch the skies.

📸 Creator's Corner: Photography & VR Tips

Goblin Valley is a photographer's playground, but if you are shooting specifically for 360° VR or high-end photography, here are a few things I've learned in the field:

1. Chase the Light (But Be Careful):
For standard photography, sunrise and sunset are king here. The low sun creates dramatic, long shadows that make the goblins look menacing and deep. However, if you are a 360 camera photographer, be careful with low light. 360 sensors often struggle with grain in the dark. You want that "sweet spot" where the lighting is golden but bright enough for the sensor to capture crisp details.

2. Angles and Height:
In VR, stability is everything. Find a stable spot for your tripod. Many creators say you need to film at "human height" for VR, but I disagree! I think a variety of angles creates wonder.

Get Low: placing the camera low to the ground makes the hoodoos feel massive, towering, and truly otherworldly.
Get High: A higher tripod placement gives that "drone view" perspective of the valley maze.

3. Distance Matters:
Find objects that will look impressive in 3D. You don't want to be right up against a wall, but you don't want to be in an empty open field either. Find the middle ground where the depth of field can really shine.

💡 Your Explorer's Guide: Helpful Hints

♦️ Explore the Three Valleys: Don't just stay at the main overlook! Descend into the Valley of the Goblins and explore all three designated "lairs" to see the full variety of formations.
♦️ Hike to Goblin's Lair: For a more structured adventure, take the Carmel Canyon Trail from the north rim of the main valley. It's about a 3.5-mile hike that curves behind the valleys. Look for a sign pointing up into the rocks—after a bit of scrambling, you'll find the impressive Goblette's Lair cavern. The main Goblin's Lair requires rappelling and technical gear; check out this excellent guide from RoadTripRyan for details.
♦️ Best Time to Go: Spring and Fall offer the most pleasant temperatures. Summer can be extremely hot, so go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
♦️ Leave No Trace: These formations are fragile. Please do not climb on them, etch into them, or disturb them in any way. The goblins are best enjoyed from the ground.

🏕️ Beyond the Park Boundaries: Camping & Sand Dunes

We love to find hidden places to park and camp, and there's an amazing spot just south of the state park boundaries! Here you can find excellent dispersed camping that is very fun to explore, enjoy sunset and a huge sand mountain that is a blast to run up and down. It's a great way to extend your adventure. You can find the general area around this link.

🔎 VR Video Treasure Hunt!

Watch my imaginative VR 360° video and see if you can spot these fun moments where the goblins come alive!

The Grand Entrance: Look for the initial wide shot of the valley—can you feel the wonder of stepping into this otherworldly landscape?
Goblins in Motion: Spot the playful visual effects where the static goblin formations appear to come alive and react to the "spaceship" landing!
The Spaceship Mounds: Find the unique, rounded green formations that resemble alien spacecraft.
The Hidden Cave: See if you can find the subtle glimpse of the hidden cave entrance in the background.

📝 Plan Your Visit: The Nitty Gritty

💵 Entrance Fee: $20 per vehicle (or $10 for motorcycles).
⏰ Hours: Open daily for year-round exploration.
🐕 Pet Policy: Very dog friendly! However, for the safety of the fragile hoodoos (and your pet), they must remain on a leash.

📍 Nearby Adventures: The San Rafael Swell

If you've made the drive out to Goblin Valley, do not leave without exploring the San Rafael Swell area! There are so many hidden gems nearby, but please note: cell service is non-existent here. I highly recommend downloading offline maps (like Gaia GPS) and recording your trail so you can find your way back to your car.

For the High-Clearance Vehicles:
If you have a vehicle with good clearance, drive the dirt roads next to the Swell. It is a fascinating landscape. You can drive up to the Temple Mountain Mine to wander around the old mining structures.

For the History Buffs:
Check out the ruins at Temple Mountain. You can actually find old rock homes built by the miners and wander right into them. It connects you to the history of the people who tried to tame this wild land.

For the Hikers:

Wild Horse Window: This is amazing and relatively close to the park.
Little Wild Horse Canyon: A world-class slot canyon loop (often combined with Bell Canyon).
Little Spotted Wolf Canyon: A great spot to explore.
Crack Canyon: An amazing hike, but easy to get turned around in. Make sure you use a downloaded map and track your path!

For more detailed information on exploring this specific area, check out my other guide: VR White Ghost of San Rafael Immersive Experience.

⭐ Final Thoughts

Goblin Valley is truly a wonder—a place that proves magic and imagination can thrive even in the most unexpected corners of our world. It's a perfect destination for families, photographers, and anyone who loves to let their inner child run wild. This is a special place that makes you smile, and I hope my video and guide inspire you to visit and experience its whimsical charm for yourself.

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,

Shauna from VRGetaway