Goblin Valley State Park’s self-guided audio driving tour offers an immersive way to explore this unique geological wonder at your own pace. The tour, accessible through a dedicated app, provides GPS-guided routes, offline maps, and captivating storytelling about the park’s highlights. From the surreal landscape of towering sandstone pillars to the rich history of ancient tribal inhabitants and intrepid explorers, this experience ensures you’ll gain a deeper understanding of why Goblin Valley is a true hidden gem. Whether you’re a geology enthusiast or simply seeking an adventure, this tour promises to transport you to a world unlike any other.
Key Points
- Provides a GPS-driven audio tour allowing visitors to explore Goblin Valley State Park’s unique geology, ancient history, and adventurous past at their own pace.
- Includes captivating storytelling about the park’s highlights through an offline mobile app with GPS-guided routes and maps.
- Offers the opportunity to discover the surreal landscape of sandstone ‘hoodoos’ carved by wind and water erosion over millions of years.
- Enables visitors to uncover the deep connections to the region’s ancient Fremont people through rock art and petroglyphs.
- Encourages visitors to continue the spirit of early explorers in discovering the park’s extraordinary natural and cultural riches.
Overview of the Tour
This self-guided GPS-driven audio tour of Goblin Valley State Park provides an engaging and informative experience for visitors, allowing them to explore the park’s unique geology, ancient tribal history, and adventurous past at their own pace.
Purchased per car, the tour includes an audio guide that delivers captivating storytelling about the park’s highlights, such as the surreal rock formations, ancient rock art, and the history of the Fremont people.
The tour can be accessed through a dedicated app, which provides offline maps, GPS-guided routes, and the flexibility to start, pause, and resume the experience at any time.
Whether hiking the scenic trails or taking in the breathtaking overlooks, this self-guided tour ensures a memorable and enriching visit to Goblin Valley State Park.
Unique Geology of Goblin Valley
Goblin Valley’s surreal landscape is the result of millions of years of geological processes that have sculpted the vibrant, whimsical rock formations found throughout the park.
Known as ‘hoodoos‘, these unique sandstone pillars were carved by the relentless forces of wind and water erosion. Over time, the once-solid rock has been worn away, leaving behind these ghostly, human-like figures that seem to emerge from the earth itself.
Explore the park’s trails to discover a veritable fantasy world of goblins, mushrooms, and other fanciful shapes that have been immortalized in stone. The ever-changing light and shadows create a truly mesmerizing display, making Goblin Valley a must-see geological wonder.
Ancient Tribal History
Alongside the park’s captivating geological features, Goblin Valley also holds deep connections to the region’s ancient tribal inhabitants – the Fremont people, who left behind a rich tapestry of cultural artifacts and rock art spanning thousands of years.
One of the highlights on the audio tour is the Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel, where visitors can see vibrant examples of Barrier Canyon style rock art. These intricate paintings and petroglyphs offer a window into the spiritual beliefs and daily lives of the Fremont, who thrived in this rugged landscape long before the arrival of European explorers.
Uncovering these traces of the past adds a layer of wonder and reverence to the Goblin Valley experience.
Adventurous Explorers
Enduring the harsh terrain and unpredictable weather, early adventurous explorers trekked through Goblin Valley, captivated by its otherworldly landscape and driven to uncover its ancient secrets.
In the late 19th century, geologists and adventurers like Clarence Dutton and John Wesley Powell ventured into the valley, marveling at the strange, fungi-like rock formations. Their detailed accounts and sketches helped popularize this unique geological wonder.
More recently, intrepid hikers and climbers have explored the park’s winding canyons, scaling precarious goblins and seeking out hidden pictographs left by the Fremont people.
Today, the spirit of these early explorers lives on as visitors continue to discover the park’s extraordinary natural and cultural riches.
Scenic Hiking Trails and Overlooks
Winding through the mesmerizing rock formations, scenic hiking trails within Goblin Valley State Park offer visitors unparalleled opportunities to enjoy the park’s captivating landscape.
From the iconic Goblin’s Lair trail to the breathtaking overlooks atop Wild Horse Butte, these pathways grant access to the valley’s most extraordinary natural wonders, inviting guests to discover the region’s geological marvels up-close.
Hikers can explore:
- The Goblin’s Lair, a unique trail that winds through the park’s iconic hoodoos
- The Three Sisters overlook, offering panoramic views of the valley’s surreal terrain
- Wild Horse Butte, a towering outcrop with sweeping vistas of the San Rafael Swell
- The Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel, home to ancient Barrier Canyon-style rock art
- Molly’s Castle, a striking rock formation with intricate patterns and shapes.
Tour Details and Inclusions
The self-guided audio tour of Goblin Valley State Park provides visitors with a comprehensive package, including an engaging audio guide, offline maps, and a GPS-driven route to navigate the park’s captivating landscape.
The tour is valid for 365 days from the first activation, allowing travelers ample time to explore the park at their own pace.
The audio guide is available in English and features immersive storytelling about the park’s unique geology, ancient tribal history, and the adventures of early explorers.
The tour also includes access to the Action Tour Guide app, which provides offline maps and GPS-guided directions to key highlights, such as the Barrier Canyon rock art, Molly’s Castle, and the surreal Goblin Valley formations.
What to Bring
To fully enjoy the self-guided audio tour of Goblin Valley State Park, visitors should bring a charged smartphone, the downloaded Action Tour Guide app, and a power bank to ensure uninterrupted access to the engaging audio stories and GPS-guided navigation.
This portable equipment will allow explorers to enjoy the park’s unique geology, ancient history, and adventurous tales as they drive through the surreal rock formations and hike scenic trails.
Plus, comfortable walking shoes and sun protection are recommended to make the most of the outdoor experience.
With the right gear, visitors can freely start, pause, and resume the tour at their own pace, creating a personalized and enriching adventure in Goblin Valley.
Starting Location and Tour Stops
This self-guided audio tour begins at the location 85CFJCJM+78, set in the heart of the San Rafael Swell.
Visitors will then be guided through several key stops, including the Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel, where they’ll learn about ancient Barrier Canyon style rock art.
Next, they’ll explore Molly’s Castle, a unique geological formation, before heading to Wild Horse Butte and The Three Sisters.
The tour culminates with a drive along Goblin Valley Road, which offers stunning views of the park’s surreal rock formations.
Throughout the experience, the audio guide provides engaging stories about the area’s rich history, from the Fremont people to early explorers who marveled at this otherworldly landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Tour Be Downloaded Prior to Arrival at the Park?
Yes, the tour can be downloaded prior to arrival at the park. The app provides offline maps and GPS-guided routes, allowing users to access the engaging audio stories even without cell service once they’re at the destination.
Is There a Recommended Time of Day to Take the Tour?
The best time to take the tour is typically in the morning or early afternoon, when temperatures are cooler and the lighting is ideal for capturing the park’s unique geological features. Avoid the midday heat for a more comfortable experience.
Can the Tour Be Paused and Resumed at a Later Time?
Yes, the tour can be paused and resumed at a later time. The audio guide includes the flexibility to start, pause, and resume the tour as needed, allowing users to experience it at their own pace.
Is the Audio Guide Available in Any Other Languages Besides English?
Unfortunately, the audio guide is only available in English. While the tour may not accommodate multiple languages, visitors can enjoy the engaging stories and immersive experience the self-guided tour provides during their visit to the park.
Are There Any Age Restrictions or Limitations for the Tour?
There are no age restrictions or limitations for this audio tour. It can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. The tour is designed to be flexible, allowing guests to start, pause, and resume the experience as needed.
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Recap
The Goblin Valley State Park self-guided audio driving tour is a captivating way to explore the park’s remarkable geology, rich history, and breathtaking scenery.
With GPS-guided routes, offline maps, and immersive audio narration, visitors can embark on a personalized journey through this unique landscape, discovering towering sandstone formations, ancient rock art, and the legacy of intrepid explorers.
This tour ensures visitors fully enjoy the park’s wonders at their own pace.
