Goblin Valley is a small state park located in south central Utah. It sits just outside of some of the most famous slot canyons in the country, and near the canyon where the movie 127 Hours took place. There are only 6 miles of designated hiking trails within the park, but plenty of things to see. The park also has some easily accessible, but breathtaking attractions that exceed what the parking lot has to offer.

The Goblin's Lair is a popular hike in the park. It is an easy walk taking you around the mesa to a large cavern that has been hollowed out by wind and water over thousands of years.

There is little elevation change, and the path is relatively smooth up to the mouth of the cave.

You won't see any of Utah's beautiful Freemont Cottonwoods  along this hike, but Mormon Tea Shrubs are plentiful.

Once at the backside of the mesa, there's a short scramble up some large boulders and into The Goblin's Lair. The scramble may look daunting at first, but taking your time and scouting alternate routes will get you safely to the top.

30 minutes of walking through the spectacular Utah desert gets you to the cave entrance. Ascending and descending the rockslide at the caves opening leaves you with a breathtaking reward....

So how did it get here? Wind and water have eroded away the softer limestone in the caves walls, leaving a massive cavern to take in. The ceiling is spotted with a few holes that act as skylights, providing ample light for the cave. This ongoing process is what makes Goblin Valley such a unique and varied place.

Going in the offseason can be risky for weather, but if you are lucky, you might just get it all to yourself. Crisp air and a light snowfall made this Goblin's Lair truly awe inspiring!