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Don’t Miss These 2 Utah State Parks Near Arches and Canyonlands

Cori Strathmeyer
Distant backdrop wall of striped rock, with a valley floor of unique hoodoos, sandstone formations that look like mushrooms or goblins

Some places exceed expectations. Both Dead Horse Point State Park and Goblin Valley State Park fall into that category, but in completely different ways.

We visited in November, when southern Utah feels especially crisp and quiet, with just enough warmth in the sun to make you forget how cold the mornings can be.

These two parks were actually recommended by a friend of mine who grew up in Utah and returns often to visit family. She knows the region well, and I trust her suggestions without hesitation. Truthfully, we would have missed both of these places entirely if it hadn’t been for her pointing them out.

They also pair perfectly into a southern Utah road trip, especially if you are already exploring Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, or Capitol Reef National Park. One is all sweeping canyon overlooks and big horizon views. The other drops you into a maze of sandstone hoodoos where you are walking right through the landscape.

Two Very Different Stops

These two parks ended up being a welcome break between time spent exploring the enormous Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. They don’t compete with those iconic landscapes. They offer something entirely different. A shift in pace and perspective.

Dead Horse Point is all about scale. You stand above the canyon and take in the vastness of the Colorado River carving its way through the landscape below. It’s the kind of view that naturally slows you down for a moment.

Goblin Valley flips that perspective entirely. Instead of looking out across the landscape, you’re walking directly into it, weaving between sandstone formations that feel almost animated as you move through them.
Together, they create a simple but memorable contrast. One gives you the view from above. The other drops you into the middle of it.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Perched nearly 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point State Park delivers one of the most dramatic overlooks in the American Southwest. From the main viewpoint, the river winds through deep canyon country framed by cliffs, mesas, and buttes stretching toward the horizon.

Located just outside Moab, the park sits between Arches National Park and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, making it an easy stop on any southern Utah itinerary.

How It Got Its Name

The park’s name comes from a local legend involving a narrow natural corral on the mesa. According to the story, horses were once driven onto the point, and some were left behind without access to water. While the details vary depending on the source, the name stayed and became part of the park’s identity.

More Than a Viewpoint

While most visitors come for the overlook, the park offers far more than a quick stop. Hiking and biking trails follow the rim of the canyon, winding through classic high desert terrain filled with juniper, pinyon pine, and wide open desert views.

What stands out most is how immediate the experience is. You can step out of your car and be standing at one of the most iconic canyon views in Utah within minutes.

Visitor Info

Highlights

We visited on a stormy day in November, so upon arrival, we changed our plans to complete an 8-mile hike. Our revised walk was perfect – a blend of the East and West Rims for a 1.4-mile loop. Read the details in my post, Dead Horse Point State Park Rim Hike: Map & Tips.

Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park feels like stepping into another world entirely. Located in central Utah about 50 miles southwest of Green River, it sits roughly between Arches National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, making it an easy addition to a wider Utah road trip.

A Landscape Shaped Over Time

Established in 1964, the park protects thousands of hoodoo formations carved from Entrada Sandstone over millions of years. Early visitors thought the formations resembled goblins gathered across the valley floor, which is where the name comes from.

Exploring the Valley Floor

Unlike most desert parks where you view the landscape from a distance, Goblin Valley invites you into it. You can walk directly among the formations, weaving through sandstone shapes that shift as you move through a natural maze that never repeats itself.

Visitor Info

Highlights

We chose to hike to Goblin’s Lair and then spent extra time wandering through the Valley of Goblins. Read my complete Goblin’s Lair hiking guide for our route, trail map, parking information, and plenty of goblin photos.

Visiting Both Parks in One Trip

Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley work especially well as a break between larger stops like Arches and Canyonlands.

Dead Horse Point fits easily into a Moab-based itinerary and can be experienced in just a few hours, especially at sunrise or sunset. It is a quick stop with big canyon views.

Goblin Valley takes a bit more time and feels more immersive, making it a great stop when driving between central Utah destinations. This park encourages exploration and imagination.

Together, they offer two very different ways to experience the same stretch of Utah.

Good to Know

Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley are both part of the Utah State Parks system, and an entrance fee is required at each. Check the individual park websites for current fees, hours, and conditions before heading out.

Both are also designated International Dark Sky Parks, recognized for their exceptionally dark night skies and limited light pollution. If your schedule allows, staying past sunset adds a completely different view to the experience.

And, as always, protect the landscape while you explore. Follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out what you bring in, and leave the rocks, plants, and other natural features where you find them.

Worth the Detour

Are these two state parks worth adding to a Southern Utah trip? After almost missing them ourselves, my answer is an emphatic YES!

Dead Horse Point gives you the chance to stand above the landscape and take it all in. Goblin Valley invites you to walk right into the middle of it. Both offer something completely different from their neighboring national parks, and both are absolutely worth the detour.

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