Head to head
Dead Horse Point vs Goblin Valley: How to Choose
The short answer
Pick Dead Horse Point if you want the single best overlook of the two. Its viewpoint of the gooseneck bend in the Colorado River, 2,000 feet below, is one of Utah's most photographed scenes and needs almost no hiking. The exception is the traveler who wants a hands-on, otherworldly landscape rather than a single grand view: that person should choose Goblin Valley, where you wander freely through a maze of mushroom-shaped hoodoos.
Pick Dead Horse Point State Park if
- A world-class canyon overlook with minimal walking is the goal
- You are basing your trip near Moab and pairing with Arches or Canyonlands
- Sunset and sunrise over the river bend are what you came for
Pick Goblin Valley State Park if
- Roaming freely among surreal hoodoos is the appeal
- You want a quieter, more playful park experience for the family
- Dark skies and a strange, one-of-a-kind landscape draw you
Side by side
| Dead Horse Point State Park | Goblin Valley State Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Best time | March to May and September to October for cooler desert hiking | March to May and September to November for cooler desert hiking |
| Entrance fee | Utah state park entrance fee or pass required | Utah day-use fee about $20 per private vehicle |
| Size | Not reported | Not reported |
| Visitors | Not reported | Not reported |
| Nearest airport | See park page | See park page |
Who wins on what
| Decision | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best view with no effort | Dead Horse Point State Park | The overlook sits steps from the parking area with a 2,000-foot drop to the river. |
| Most unique landscape | Goblin Valley State Park | The field of hoodoos is a surreal, walkable maze unlike anywhere else. |
| Best for free roaming | Goblin Valley State Park | You can explore off-trail among the goblins, rare for a protected park. |
| Easiest pairing with national parks | Dead Horse Point State Park | It sits beside Canyonlands' Island in the Sky and near Arches outside Moab. |
| Best for families | Goblin Valley State Park | The hoodoo maze is a natural playground kids can climb and explore. |
| Best photography | Dead Horse Point State Park | The gooseneck bend at sunrise or sunset is one of Utah's signature shots. |
| Best dark skies | Either | Both are designated dark-sky parks with superb stargazing. |
Can you do both?
Both are in southern and central Utah but a few hours apart, so combining them works best on a wider Utah road trip. Dead Horse Point pairs naturally with Arches and Canyonlands near Moab, while Goblin Valley pairs with Capitol Reef to the west. Visit either in the cooler months to avoid desert heat.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Dead Horse Point or Goblin Valley better?
- Dead Horse Point wins for its world-class canyon overlook that needs almost no hiking. Goblin Valley wins if you want to roam freely among a surreal field of hoodoos.
- How far apart are the two parks?
- They are a few hours apart in Utah. Dead Horse Point sits near Moab, while Goblin Valley is in central Utah, so combining them suits a longer road trip.
- Which park is better for kids?
- Goblin Valley is the more kid-friendly of the two, since children can climb and wander the hoodoo maze. Dead Horse Point is more of a scenic overlook stop.
- Which pairs better with the national parks?
- Dead Horse Point pairs perfectly with Arches and Canyonlands near Moab. Goblin Valley pairs well with Capitol Reef to its west.
Plan your visit
Whichever park wins for you, here is the gear keyed to these conditions, the tools to size your trip, and related guides.
What to pack
Plan with our tools
Planning either trip? Each park guide has when-to-go, what-to-pack, and camping reservation details. Browse the full national parks index.