Goblin Valley and Chamber of the Basilisk (Goblins Lair) in Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Canyoneer Goblin Valley and Chamber of the Basilisk (Goblins Lair) Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Class 2 3A I (80 ft max) 2.6 miles 300 gain 1-2 hr Loop Jun 1, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

The Valley of Gobins at Goblin Valley State Park features funky, unique, and almost goofy-looking rock features called hoodoos. Thousands of tiny rock nubs on a desert floor somehow seem much different from all the other rock formations I've seen throughout Southern Utah. The park allows you to walk around amongst the mini hoodoos, which are honestly extraordinarily cool.

On this hike we decided to rappel into the Chamber of the Basilisk. If you don;t have technical canyoneering knowledge, I recommend hiking through the hoodoos, then backtracking and following the Goblin's Lair (Chamber of the Basilisk) Trail so you can still see everything.

We navigated through the goblins to reach the top of the rappel. I can't say there's a correct route since part of the fun is exploring the hoodoos on the way to the start of the rappel. We basically stuck to social trails as we wound our way through the desert, gaining minimal elevation. Soon we reached a short and nontechnical canyon that drained into the Chamber of the Basilisk, an unexpected and nice little feature. We set up our gear and dropped into the hole in the ceiling, making our way down into the Goblin's Lair. The fun was short lived since this was only a one-rappel endeavor, but we enjoyed the spectacular cathedral-like cave that offers solitude and relaxation. Fortunately we were the only ones there.

Getting out of the Goblin's Lair requires a short Class 2, and we emerged into the sunlight, where some more Class 2 led down into the flat desert below. On the way back, the trail leads north, and it's easy to follow. The trail then wraps west and heads through the dirt hills to get back to the trailhead. However, I recommend heading through Carmel Canyon instead to get back, a fun little maze of a slot canyon in the crumbly dirt.

After the short hike we spent some quality time with some hoodoo goblins. I took probably too many photos and widdled them down a bit.

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Heading through Goblin Valley.
Heading through Goblin Valley.
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The short canyon before the rappel.
The short canyon before the rappel.
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At the top of the rappel.
At the top of the rappel.
Looking up at a friend rappelling (highest hole in this photo).
Looking up at a friend rappelling (highest hole in this photo).
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Chamber of the Basilisk.
Chamber of the Basilisk.
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More close-ups of the holes in the ceiling.
More close-ups of the holes in the ceiling.
Exit to Goblin's Lair.
Exit to Goblin's Lair.
Looking back down into Chamber of the Basilisk.
Looking back down into Chamber of the Basilisk.
Looking toward the trail out of the chamber.
Looking toward the trail out of the chamber.
Looking back toward the entrance to the chamber.
Looking back toward the entrance to the chamber.
Open desert for a while on the official Goblin's Lair Trail.
Open desert for a while on the official Goblin's Lair Trail.
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View back along the edge of the cliffs on the way back (this is a shot from years ago when it was a lot more green).
View back along the edge of the cliffs on the way back (this is a shot from years ago when it was a lot more green).
Mollys Castle in the distance.
Mollys Castle in the distance.
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Goblin's Lair Trail leading back to the trailhead. Alternatively, you could take the Carmel Canyon Trail (next few photos).
Goblin's Lair Trail leading back to the trailhead. Alternatively, you could take the Carmel Canyon Trail (next few photos).
Carmel Canyon Trail.
Carmel Canyon Trail.
Narrow section of Carmel Canyon.
Narrow section of Carmel Canyon.
Carmel Canyon Trail.
Carmel Canyon Trail.
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Back to the Valley of Goblins!
Back to the Valley of Goblins!
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!