Our group of 4 couples, traveling together, spent 6 hours in Goblin Valley State Park canyoneering with Get in the Wild serving as our outfitter. We had a fabulous adventure, pushing ourselves and finding success doing activities many never dreamt of doing. Like rappelling. We are 55 – 75 years old, active, but again, meeting challenges never attempted before. Get in the Wild is a class operator. We highly recommend.
Suitable for beginners
Discover surreal landscapes
Equipment and professional instructions
Located in Utah, Goblin State Valley Park gets its name from the whimsical geological formations, referred to as “hoodoos” or “goblins” that have been carved by wind, water and time. Wander through the thousands of captivating and otherworldly hoodoos on your way to the Goblin’s Lair. Learn proper rappelling technique before you experience the thrill of rappelling 90-feet into the cavernous Goblin’s Lair. This trip is truly unique and suitable for families.
From $179 per person | 4 to 5 hours | Snacks included
Trip Details
Price
From $179 per person
Make it Private!
Private Tour: $999 for 1-6 people
Departure time
8 AM & 6 PM – (June – August)
9 AM & 2 PM – (September – May)
Meeting point
Goblin Valley State Park
Availability
March through November
Contact us for availability from December through February.
Duration
Half day (4-5 hours)
Group size
2-10 people
If you have more than 8 people in your group, contact us about doing a private tour.
Experience level
No previous experience required
This trip is suitable for beginners of all ages who are looking to enjoy an active, adventurous, and educational outdoor experience. Adult participants should be able to carry a pack weighing 10-20 pounds.
Difficulty rating
1
Level 1
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy hiking on well maintained trails
- Canyoneering: Easy hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 2 miles
- Surfaces: Easy terrain
- Elevation Change: Little to none. Short sections of uphill travel.
Level 2
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy to moderate hiking
- Canyoneering: Easy to moderate hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 3 miles
- Surfaces: Flat or rolling terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 600 ft/day
Level 3
- Activity:
- Hiking: Moderate, off-trail hiking on rugged trails
- Canyoneering: Moderate, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 6 miles
- Surfaces: Rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 1200 ft/day
Level 4
- Activity:
- Hiking: Difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 10 miles
- Surfaces: Rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 3000 ft/day
Level 5
- Activity:
- Hiking: Very difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Very difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs. May require advanced canyoneering techniques including guided rappels, multi-pitch rappels, complex ropework difficult pothole escapes, and advanced problem-solving and anchor building.
- Distances: Hike up to 14 miles
- Surfaces: Extremely rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 4000 ft/day
Solitude rating
3
- Expect to be around other hikers and travelers most of the time.
- Expect to have some solitude, as much as an hour at a time without seeing other groups.
- Expect several hours of solitude at a time.
- Expect to see no more than one or two groups on your trip.
- Expect to see no other hikers or travelers on your trip.
Included
- Experienced and professional guides
- Canyoneering equipment
- Canyoneering and rappelling instruction
- Snacks and refreshments
- State park entrance fees
- Safety equipment, including a team first-aid kit and satellite messenger
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, and informative as you’d like
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Transportation to trailhead
- Gratuity for your guide
What to bring
- Layered clothing
- Comfortable, sturdy footwear
- Sun protection
- Small backpack
- Water bottles or bladder
- Headlamp or flashlight
A full packing list will be sent upon booking.
What Lies Ahead of You
Explore off-the-beaten path in Goblin Valley State Park
Take in magnificent views of Goblin’s Lair, Henry Mountains and Robbers Roost
Learn about rappelling and test your limits with the support of a professional guide
Explore the mysterious goblins and learn about the area’s history
Enjoy tasty snacks to keep you fully energized
Explore the Mysterious Valley of the Goblins at Goblin Valley State Park
Hidden amongst the spectacular hoodoos and mesas of Goblin Valley State Park lies a truly fantastic canyoneering adventure. Discover a playground for all ages formed by bizarre and wondrous rock formations while trying out the new exciting sport of canyoneering.
We will start off hiking and scrambling through the intriguing Valley of the Goblins that was featured in the film Galaxy Quest as an alien planet. Along the way, you will learn about the area’s unique geological, biological, historical, and cultural wonders. Your guide will also provide basic safety information, along with an introduction to the basics of rappelling and canyoneering before entering a beautiful slot canyon that disappears into a dark and mysterious chasm. Here, we’ll put on our canyoneering gear and rappel into the Goblin’s Lair which is also known as the Chamber of the Basilisk due to its resemblance to the interior of a medieval Gothic church. The landscapes are truly breathtaking and out of this world. While rappelling through the canyon, admire the sunbeams shining through to the canyon floor from the natural skylights above.
Once inside the Goblin’s Lair, we will enjoy a snack and explore the Lair’s hidden passages in search of the mysterious goblins. Once you’ve toured the Goblin’s Lair, we’ll catch a glimpse of the magnificent open landscape views towards Robbers Roost. This stunning vantage point is bound to impress you while you catch your breath before a quick hike back to the trailhead.
Other Important Information
We offer multiple tours in the Utah wilderness. See where we guide!
If you’ve decided to stay a little longer, take a look at our list of Utah recommendations(opens in a new tab), including the nearest towns with the best accommodation and restaurants. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us!(opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This particular adventure is designed for beginners. We’ll teach you the ropes at the beginning, and then let you put into practice all your new skills.
Wear clothes you can move in and don’t mind if they get “worn-in” by the canyons. Make sure to bring enough layers in case of cool temperatures. For your feet, comfortable medium-weight hiking shoes or boots work best. You definitely need closed-toed shoes (no Chacos!) that you’ve worn before and broken in well.
Entrance fees and snacks are included in the price.
We are happy to include healthy, nutritious and delicious snacks on all of our outings. We typically bring a nut mix and dried fruit along with us. We welcome you to bring some snacks of your own if you’ve got something specific you’d like.
Please note: we are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free diets—just get in touch with us, and we’ll chat about your needs!
There is usually little to no signal where we tour. It’s the perfect time to unplug and truly enjoy nature! If you need to stay connected for a specific reason, please get in touch with us, and we’ll work together to get it sorted.
Have more questions? Head to our FAQ page to read more!
Photo Gallery
We literally had a private half day tour. Chris fed us information so that we felt more comfortable with the height challenge facing us. The repelling and hike through the park were amazing. We would love to return one day to do a day long excursion with Chris.
We had a fantastic half day trip with Get in the Wild Adventures, rappelling into the Goblin’s Lair at Goblin Valley State Park. Christopher, the lead guide and owner, was our guide. He is extremely knowledgeable, focused on safety, and great with our kids who are 8 and 9. This experience was the highlight of our trip and we’re already figuring out how we’ll get back for a longer trip in the future. Thanks Christopher and Get in the Wild!
