Goblin Valley State Park’s self-guided audio driving tour offers visitors an immersive and flexible way to discover the park’s surreal rock formations, ancient tribal history, and scenic hiking trails. Powered by the Action Tour Guide app, the tour provides engaging storytelling, offline maps, and hands-free navigation, allowing travelers to explore the park’s captivating natural wonders at their own pace. With a year-long validity and a per-car pricing model, this tour provides an affordable and convenient option for those seeking to uncover the unique geological and cultural heritage of this otherworldly destination. But the true wonder of Goblin Valley lies in the stories that await those who venture forth.
Key Points
- Offers a self-guided mobile app driving tour of Goblin Valley State Park, allowing visitors to explore the park’s unique rock formations, trails, and history at their own pace.
- Provides an engaging, hands-free experience with a proven narrator, offline maps, and the flexibility to start and pause the tour at any time.
- Explores the surreal, otherworldly landscape of ‘goblins’ – weathered sandstone spires and hoodoos sculpted by wind and water over centuries.
- Uncovers the ancient tribal history of the region, including petroglyphs, pictographs, and rock art left behind by Native American tribes.
- Enables visitors to choose from a variety of hiking trails, offering up-close encounters with the park’s geological wonders and panoramic desert views.
Tour Overview
This self-guided mobile app driving tour of Goblin Valley State Park allows visitors to explore the park’s unique rock formations, ancient tribal history, hiking trails, and desert landscapes at their own pace.
The tour is more affordable than bus or guided options since it’s purchased per car, not per person.
With the easy-to-use Action Tour Guide app, travelers can enjoy engaging storytelling and proven narration as they navigate the surreal, alien-like scenery.
The tour’s offline maps and hands-free experience provide a flexible schedule to start anytime and pause freely, with a year-long validity for multiple visits.
This self-guided adventure offers an affordable and personalized way to discover the wonders of Goblin Valley.
Explore the Surreal Landscape
Visitors marvel at the surreal, otherworldly rock formations that define Goblin Valley, where the strange, fantastical landscape seems more akin to an alien planet than the American Southwest.
Known as ‘goblins,’ these weathered sandstone spires, hoodoos, and arches rise up in bizarre shapes, sculpted by centuries of wind and water erosion.
Exploring this unearthly terrain, guests discover a world of wonder, with towering monoliths and hidden canyons around every turn.
The self-guided tour provides a deeper understanding of how this striking geography formed, as well as the ancient human history of the valley.
Visitors emerge with a true appreciation for the remarkable natural forces that shaped this one-of-a-kind desert oasis.
Ancient Tribal History
Centuries ago, numerous Native American tribes roamed the rugged landscapes of Goblin Valley, leaving behind a trove of intriguing archaeological traces that captivate modern-day explorers.
The sheltered cliffs and caves of the valley provided refuge for ancient tribes, who left behind petroglyphs, pictographs, and rock art that offer tantalizing glimpses into their way of life.
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of tool-making, hunting, and ceremonial practices, shedding light on the rich cultural heritage of the region.
As you wind through the otherworldly rock formations, keep an eye out for these enigmatic remnants of the past, and let your imagination be transported to a time when this land was home to thriving indigenous communities.
Adventurous Explorers
Over the course of centuries, a cadre of adventurous explorers braved the rugged terrain of Goblin Valley, unveiling the secrets of this otherworldly landscape.
From pioneering geologists who marveled at the formation of the region’s bizarre rock formations to intrepid hikers who charted the hidden trails, these daring individuals have played a vital role in bringing the wonders of Goblin Valley to the world.
In the late 19th century, the enigmatic valley first caught the attention of geologists, who were fascinated by the surreal hoodoos and goblins that dotted the landscape.
In the decades that followed, adventurous trekkers ventured forth, mapping out scenic hiking routes and sharing their discoveries with a wider audience, sparking a growing interest in this captivating desert destination.
Scenic Hiking Trails
Winding through the otherworldly landscape of Goblin Valley are a network of scenic hiking trails, inviting visitors to enjoy the park’s captivating natural beauty.
Ranging from easy strolls to more challenging treks, these trails unveil breathtaking vistas of the surreal rock formations, offering up-close encounters with the valley’s unique geological wonders.
Adventurous hikers can explore the renowned Goblin’s Lair, a maze-like pathway that winds through a sea of mushroom-shaped goblins, or tackle the strenuous Carmel Canyon Trail, which rewards trekkers with panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape.
Whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll or a heart-pumping adventure, Goblin Valley’s hiking trails promise an unforgettable exploration of one of nature’s most extraordinary landscapes.
How the Valley Formed
The unique and otherworldly rock formations that define Goblin Valley’s captivating landscape were sculpted over millions of years through a remarkable combination of natural processes.
As visitors explore the park’s winding trails, they’ll discover how the valley’s distinct geological features were gradually shaped by the relentless forces of wind, water, and time.
Millions of years ago, the area was submerged under an ancient sea, and the sedimentary rocks that formed were then uplifted and exposed. Erosion by wind and water carved away the softer stone, leaving behind the striking, mushroom-like ‘goblins’ that travelers marvel at today.
This dynamic, ever-changing landscape continues to evolve, offering a glimpse into the powerful forces that have sculpted the American Southwest over eons.
Tour Inclusions
Typically, the self-guided audio driving tour of Goblin Valley State Park includes an easy-to-use mobile app with engaging storytelling, offline maps, and hands-free navigation.
Travelers will receive a unique password to access the tour, which features a proven narrator guiding them through the park’s highlights.
The app’s offline functionality allows users to freely pause and resume the tour as they explore the valley’s surreal rock formations and ancient tribal history.
With a flexible schedule and year-long validity, the tour offers an affordable and convenient way for visitors to discover Goblin Valley’s stunning landscapes and fascinating stories at their own pace.
Tour Logistics and Support
Visitors can conveniently begin the self-guided audio tour at the GPS coordinates 85CFJCJM+78, located in the San Rafael Swell near Goblin Valley State Park.
The tour guides them through a series of stops, including the Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel, Molly’s Castle, Wild Horse Butte, The Three Sisters, and the Goblin Overlook, before concluding at Goblin Valley Road in Utah.
Travelers simply need to download the Action Tour Guide app, enter the unique password, and they’re ready to embark on an immersive, hands-free experience.
The app provides offline maps, engaging narration, and the flexibility to start and pause the tour at any time.
With year-long validity, visitors can return to explore the park’s captivating geology and history as many times as they’d like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Tour Be Shared Between Multiple Phones in the Same Car?
The tour can be shared between multiple phones in the same car. The unique password allows the tour to be accessed from any device, enabling passengers to enjoy the experience together while following the audio and visual content.
Is There a Way to Download the Tour for Offline Use?
Yes, the tour can be downloaded for offline use. The app provides offline maps and audio, allowing users to enjoy the tour without needing an internet connection during their drive through the scenic landscape.
Are There Any Discounts for Families or Large Groups?
Yes, the tour offers discounts for families and larger groups. You can purchase the tour per car, making it more affordable for groups of all sizes to explore the park together.
What Is the Recommended Duration to Fully Explore the Park?
The recommended duration to fully explore the park is 2-3 hours. This allows ample time to hike the trails, admire the unique rock formations, and discover the park’s ancient history at a leisurely pace.
Can the Tour Be Used to Explore the Park on a Future Visit?
Yes, the tour can be used on future visits as it has a year-long validity. Travelers can download the app, enter the unique password, and explore the park’s highlights at their own pace whenever they choose to return.
Recap
The Goblin Valley State Park self-guided audio tour offers travelers a captivating and immersive way to discover the park’s otherworldly landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking hiking trails.
With engaging storytelling, offline maps, and hands-free navigation, visitors can explore this geological wonder at their own pace, making the most of the park’s unique natural and historical attractions.
It’s an affordable and convenient option for experiencing the magic of Goblin Valley.
