We were travelling from Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon. I had heard of this enchanting state park called ‘Goblin Valley’.
As it was a short detour on the way to some of the larger Utah parks, we had to experience first-hand this unusual terrain.
The strange and colorful valley is unlike any other in Utah. The landscape, covered with sandstone goblins and formations, is often compared to Mars and has been used in Hollywood movies to emulate a distant planet.
Our 6-year-old Kidsetter pretended he had landed on Mars for the first time, treading carefully to risk stumbling or falling on the planet’s surface. He was on the lookout for rock sculptures resembling mischievous goblins.
Exploring the mysterious valley in search for the Middle Ages folklore became a fun game. Imaging their magical powers, playing out their personalities all the while having a bouncing gait and bunny hops to walk along the ‘planet’s surface’.
A Kidsetter’s paradise, as it covers 13 square kilometres of hands-on explorable terrain, with barely another person in sight. Our Kidsetter was free to wander and climb where ever his inspiration lead him.
Not only was Goblin Valley State Park a great spot for our Kidsetter to stretch his legs from the driving, it was a spectacular showcase of geologic history. These colourful orange-brown boulders, balanced rocks, spires and pedestals were carved by wind and water. A place that captured and extended his imagination, challenging him with it’s geologic whimsy.
