Goblin’s Lair Hike: A Short Utah Trail into a Hidden Chamber
Seek out this unexpected hike in Goblin Valley State Park: The Goblin’s Lair.
The Goblin’s Lair hike is one of the most adventurous things to do in Goblin Valley State Park. From the parking lot, it doesn’t look like much, just another sandy wash winding through the desert.
But as you round the corner, the pile of boulders at the chamber’s entrance comes into view. Suddenly, you’re scrambling your way into a massive cave-like chamber hidden by the rockfall.
It’s a short hike, but it feels more thrilling than you’d expect. Between the deep sand, optional Goblette’s Lair add-on, and the final descent into the lair, this one is a lot more interesting than the mileage suggests.
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Scrambling down into the Goblin’s Lair
Where is the Goblin’s Lair?
The Goblin’s Lair is located in Goblin Valley State Park in Utah, about 1.5 hours from Moab. Easily make it a day trip from Moab if you’re in the area. Although the park is small, there are several unique hikes and toadstool formations that you can’t find in many other places.
People flock from all over to walk among the “goblins” (toadstools or hoodoos). Originally, the area was referred to as Mushroom Valley, but an explorer in the 1940s thought the formations looked like goblins, and the name stuck.
What is the Goblin’s Lair?
The Goblin’s Lair is actually a slot canyon hidden within Goblin Valley State Park. A collapsed rock ceiling created the cave-like chamber at the entrance. You can look up to see the holes in the ceiling where people can rappel down (with technical gear and knowledge). A permit is required for canyoneering around the Goblin’s Lair.
The impressive cave-like chamber makes it one of the park’s most popular hikes. I mean, with a name like the Goblin’s Lair, how could you not be curious? It’s also known as the Chamber of the Basilisk. That name will only ever remind me of Harry Potter and make the hike sound like a magical, thrilling adventure.
Goblin’s Lair Trail Overview
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 180 feet
- Route type: Out and back
- Difficulty: Moderate (scrambling)
- Goblin’s Lair Trail Map
The hiking portion of the Goblin’s Lair trail is easy, in my opinion. This trail has a moderate rating because of the scrambling to get in and out of the lair. You’ll be fine if you have some scrambling experience, the drops aren’t huge, and there are decent hand and footholds.
How to Get to the Goblin’s Lair Trailhead
You will need to pay an entrance fee for Goblin Valley State Park. Pick a pass depending on how long you plan to stay. Utah residents can opt for a Utah State Parks Pass that covers all Utah Parks for a year.
The road to the parking area is paved; just turn left at the fork to get to the parking lot. A right turn takes you to the campground. There are pit toilets at the trailhead. Do reference the AllTrails map before you start hiking, as multiple trails depart from the parking lot.
Sometimes, it’s nice to do a trail with easy access, unlike exploring the Maze in Canyonlands or Colonnade Arch. Both of which are very remote, but worth the time to get to if you want to avoid crowds.
Looking up from the bottom of the Goblin’s Lair
Hiking to the Goblin’s Lair
Many people want to know: Is the Goblin’s Lair suitable for beginners? I would say yes, with the caveat that you do need to be comfortable on the short scramble sections. The trail is well marked, and there will likely be other people around if you need help.
Start your trek to the Goblin’s Lair just beyond the pit toilets, then begin your quick descent. You’ll be hiking in a sandy wash. Keep in mind that hiking through the deep sand can slow your pace.
When we did this hike, it was so windy that the sand was blowing up into our faces and getting in our noses and mouths — the grit crunching between my teeth. I pulled my shirt up above my nose to try to deflect some of the grime.
View from inside the Goblette’s Lair
Stop at the Goblette’s Lair
When we reached the scramble section at the base of the Lair, we noticed a family making their way down the boulders and decided to continue to the Goblette’s Lair so we could have the ascent to ourselves later.
The Goblette’s Lair is just a 0.10-mile walk past the Goblin’s Lair entrance — a smaller but still notable cave-like formation. If you’re not into scrambling, this trail is worth doing to see the Goblette’s Lair at least.
We walked back to the Goblin’s Lair and had the scramble sections all to ourselves. The boulders on the way up are easy to pick through. Descending into the Lair does require a bit more skill. We made it down via the far right side without much issue. You could tell that people had found other ways to scramble down, but we felt like we had picked the easiest route.
Needed my headlamp to see inside the fault tunnel
Inside Goblin’s Lair
Once inside the lair, we looked up and saw the various holes in the ceiling, with minimal light coming through. The chamber was quite high, and the echo was pretty fun to hear. I thought maybe it would continue further, but the main chamber is mostly it.
Secret Tunnel
After poking around in the chamber, we noticed a tunnel. Curious, we climbed in to see how far it went. We had our headlamps with us and needed them almost immediately upon entering the pitch-black tunnel.
Surprisingly, we kept going and going until we were crawling on our hands and knees in the powdery sand. I felt a breeze in there and wondered how far it went. Not knowing anything about the stability of this tunnel, we turned around.
When we left the park, we asked a ranger about the tunnel. She said it actually isn’t a tunnel at all, but a fault. It does go all the way to the surface, but gets smaller and smaller as you go. She mentioned that it will likely be closed off soon because rescues out of the fault are difficult.
I’m not recommending entering the tunnel, just noting that it exists. Safety concerns are real, and rescues do happen.
Toadstool Valley Near the Parking Area
Before you leave Goblin Valley State Park, definitely check out the toadstool valley near the parking area. You can wander between the “goblins,” as there isn’t much of a set trail. Take your time and explore to your heart’s content.
If hiking to the Goblin’s Lair feels like too much, exploring the toadstool valley is appropriate for most people. There is a set of stairs that leads down from the parking area to the valley, but otherwise, the valley is relatively flat.
Things to Know Before You Go
- No shade while hiking
- It can be very hot
- Always bring water
- Wear grippy shoes
There is no shade on the Goblin’s Lair hike, making sun protection essential. Wear a long-sleeve sun-shirt with a hood for the best protection.
Even on shorter hikes in the desert, I almost always bring water. You can get dehydrated quickly out in the sun. Check out my day hike packing list as a good place to start when preparing for most hikes.
Your footwear choice on this hike can determine the difficulty of the scrambling. Grippy shoes or boots will aid in maneuvering around the boulders. Shoes with worn-out tread can make your foot slip when you put your weight on them.
Best Time to Visit the Goblin’s Lair
Because there is little shade on the Goblin’s Lair hike (besides in the Lair itself), I’d recommend visiting Goblin Valley State Park any other time besides summer. When we went in April, the weather was unusually cool, threatening rain, and the wind gusts practically knocked me off my feet. March and September are ideal months to plan a trip.
The Goblin’s Lair hike is a great way to experience a different side of Goblin Valley beyond the main toadstool area. It’s short, a little adventurous, and leads to one of the most unique formations in the park. If you’re already visiting Goblin Valley, this is easily worth adding to your plans.
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FAQs About The Goblin’s Lair
How long is the Goblin’s Lair hike?
The Goblin’s Lair hike is about 2.3 miles round-trip with minimal elevation gain. Adding the optional side quest to the Goblette’s Lair adds about a quarter mile to the round trip total.
Is the Goblin’s Lair difficult?
The hike itself is easy, but scrambling into the lair makes it moderately difficult.
Do you need a permit for Goblin’s Lair?
No permit is needed for hiking, but a permit is required for technical canyoneering. You can inquire more at the Visitor Center or online.
Is Goblin’s Lair suitable for beginners?
Yes, if you’re comfortable with basic scrambling. The trail is well marked.
What is the Goblin’s Lair?
Goblin’s Lair is a slot canyon with a large cave-like chamber formed by a collapsed ceiling.
