Goblin Valley Mars On Earth Driving Tour

$14.99

Estimated Time

Distance

Works Offline

Tours & Maps Included

Tour Highlights

The San Rafael Swell

Learn how a giant dome of rock, about 75 miles long, was pushed up from an ancient seafloor around 65 million years ago.

Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel

Walk a few minutes to a canyon wall covered in towering red figures, some over six feet tall, painted by two different ancient peoples centuries apart.

Temple City Townsite

See what's left of a uranium boomtown whose ore ended up in the Manhattan Project.

Wild Horse Window

Stop at the trailhead for a hike to a natural arch, and hear the story of the wild mustangs that gave this area its name.

Molly's Castle

Take in a long red sandstone wall with towers and turrets that early settlers thought looked just like a castle.

Wild Horse Butte

Pull over beside the tower that guided travelers across this desert for centuries.

The Three Sisters

Photograph the most famous goblins in the park, three tall formations still standing while everything around them wore away.

Goblin Overlook

End with a view of thousands of goblins packed across the valley floor, the reason people call this place "Mars on Earth."

Is This Tour Right for You?

Perfect if you:

Love history and fascinating stories

What To explore at your own pace

prefer a private experience

What to avoid expensive group tours

Maybe not if you:

Don't have a phone

Like to follow the tour guide

Don't like stories

Don't like to go at your own pace

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Goblin Valley driving tour take?

Without stopping, the drive takes about 45 minutes. Most visitors spend half a day once they add the pictographs, short hikes, and time walking among the goblins.

Does the tour work without cell service?

Yes. Download the tour before you go, and it runs completely offline using your phone's GPS. That matters here, since cell service is limited in this remote area.

Can I pause the tour or explore at my own pace?

Yes. This is a fully self-guided tour—pause anytime to hike or take photos, and press play when you're back in the car.

Is this a guided hiking tour?

No. This is a self-guided audio driving tour. It points out trailheads along the way, but any hiking is up to you.

Does the tour include the park entrance fee?

No. Goblin Valley State Park charges its own day-use fee, paid to Utah State Parks. At the time this tour was made, it was $20 per private vehicle. You can pay at the entrance or buy a pass online.

Can I walk among the goblins?

Yes. Goblin Valley is one of the few parks where you can wander freely among the formations in the Valley of Goblins. Please don't climb on fragile hoodoos.

Do I need a 4WD vehicle?

No. The main route on Temple Mountain Road and Goblin Valley Road is fine for regular cars. Short side spurs may be dirt, so skip them if your car sits low.

Is this tour appropriate for kids?

Yes. Kids love scrambling between the goblins, and the stories about ancient rock art, uranium miners, and aliens keep the drive fun.

What should I watch for on the road?

Cattle. They often wander across the road, especially at dawn and dusk, so slow down and stay alert.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the junction of Utah Highway 24 and Temple Mountain Road, about 24 miles southwest of Green River, and ends at the Goblin Overlook inside Goblin Valley State Park.