Goblin Valley State Park (UT)

Of all the strange shapes found throughout the Southwest, some of the most whimsical are found in Goblin Valley State Park. Think toadstools and you’ll get an idea what to expect. These hoodoos are a result of the erosion of the reddish Entrada sandstone deposits that collected in tidal flats. There are no established trails in the limited area of the state park where these rocks are concentrated. Even if you go exploring far and wide through the area, you can always find your way back to the parking lot by heading for the covered picnic area which sits on higher ground, visible from almost anywhere. Here is where we stopped for a lunch break before moving on to Moab.