Goblin Valley State Park
Utah · State Park · Southwest Region
Goblin Valley is a state park covered in thousands of mushroom shaped sandstone hoodoos, the eroded Entrada formations the park is named for. From the Observation Point overlook the valley floor looks like a small army of goblins frozen mid step. Utah State Parks describes the Valley of Goblins as a free roaming area, which means couples can walk among the formations rather than stay on a single designated path. Far enough off the Moab corridor that crowds stay thin even in shoulder season.
- Best season
- October through April
- Permit required
- Yes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 50 people
- Permit info verified
- May 2026
Permit Information
Utah State Parks Special Use Permit required for weddings and ceremonies. $10 application fee plus $50 permit fee ($60 total minimum). Apply at least 30 days in advance. $20 day use vehicle fee separately. Group size requirements and exact permit terms vary, contact the park directly at 435 275 4584 to confirm what your guest count triggers. Drone use requires a separate $15 drone permit. Verify all current rules with the park before booking.
Seasonal Planning
October through April is the comfortable window. Summer in southern Utah deserts regularly runs hot, often above 95°F, with the open valley holding heat into the evening. Winter brings cold nights but the lower visitation makes it the quietest stretch. March through May is the busiest stretch.
Planning Your Day at Goblin Valley State Park
One-Spot Day
The Valley of Goblins itself can hold the whole day. Start at the Observation Point overlook for sweeping compositions of the hoodoo field, then descend the staircase into the valley for a ceremony among the formations. Stay through sunset as the goblins shift from amber to rust. The free roaming nature of the basin means each hour gives a different scene without moving the car.
Ceremony + Portraits Split
Hold the ceremony inside the Valley of Goblins where the formations create natural privacy, then walk back up to the Observation Point for portraits with the full hoodoo field below. For a third backdrop, add a short stop at the Three Sisters formation, reached by a 250 yard marked trail off the observation point road.
A Note on Light
Sunset and the first hour after are the strongest windows. Sunrise is quieter and crisper. Midday flattens the valley and runs hot in any season above 70°F.
Ceremony Spots at Goblin Valley State Park
- Valley of Goblins — Ceremony among thousands of mushroom shaped sandstone hoodoos in the park's free roaming valley
- Three Sisters Trail — Ceremony or portraits at the most iconic single formation in the park, on a short marked trail
Plan Your Utah Elopement
Elope in Utah: location guide, permits, marriage license, and planning tools
Other Elopement Locations in Utah
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- Bryce Canyon National Park: National Park · May through October
- Arches National Park: National Park · March through May, September through November
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- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park: Tribal · Spring and Fall
- Dead Horse Point State Park: State Park · March through May, September through November
- Wire Pass / Buckskin Gulch: BLM · April through June, September through October
Similar Elopement Locations
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- Wire Pass / Buckskin Gulch: Utah · BLM