Whitney Lake ~ Artist: Goblin Valley Overview

Goblin Valley is a state park in Utah just west of Canyonlands and Arches national parks.

First discovered by cowboys searching for cattle, and later stumbled upon by a ferry operator

searching for an alternate route, the area was acquired and designated as a state park by Utah in 1964.

One cannot see the valley until nearly upon it. It is much like a broad swath carved out of

a flat plateau with a few surrounding buttes. Inside the swath are a multitude of somewhat

anthropomorphic sandstone figures that can be viewed as being either whimsical or spooky,

depending upon the lighting conditions / time of day.

One might encounter families with children or even school field trips here,

but the reality of what one is confronted with here is truly astounding.

The valley floor is ( I'm guessing ) about a half mile or so wide by maybe 2 miles long,

with 3 distinct areas full of these 'goblins'. The surrounding walls of the valley or canyon

are weathered sandstone of the most outrageous sci-fi type facades imaginable. In fact, part

of the movie 'Galaxy Quest' was filmed there.

I can't wait to go back.

...from my Flickr set on Goblin Valley. To see more please visit:

Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed or written permission by Whitney Lake.

Whitney Lake ~ Artist