170 million years ago Goblin Valley was a tidal flat between an inland sea to the north, and continental mountains and hills to the west. Eroded debris from these highlands was deposited by the ebb and flow of the sea, and compressed into alternating layers of sandstone, siltstone, and shale. Asymmetrical erosion produced spherical-shaped goblins through a process called spheroidal weathering.

The valley's east wall is capped by towering spires and promontories

Softer sediments at the goblins' base eroded faster, creating pedestals

The goblins were carved from entrada sandstone mechanical erosion and spheroidal weathering

Quaternary deposit mounds form steep ridges that delineate the three main valleys

Scrambling and creative routing is needed to reach the 2nd and 3rd valleys

Goblin Valley was discovered by cattlemen looking for a quicker route to the Green River

Entrada sandstone's red hue primarily comes from hematite, an iron oxide

Softer shale and siltstone beds eroded faster than overlying layers, creating narrow pedestals on which the harder layers rest

There are no trails in the Valley of the Goblins - visitors are free to explore on their own