Goblin Valley State Park: First discoverd by cowboys searching for Cattle, Goblin Valley was formed around 170 million years ago from deposits by a vast inland sea. The park has been sculpted by forces of nature such as uplift and erosion by wind and water.

in 1920, Arthur Chaffin, owner/operator of the Hite Ferry and two companions were searching for a alternativer route between Green River and Caineville. They came to a vantage point about a mile west of the Goblin Valley and were awed by what they saw. In 1949 Chaffin returned to the area he called Mushroom Valley. Chaffin spent several days exploring and photographing the valley.

the State of Utah acquired the land and established Goblin Valley State Reserve. It was officially designated a state park on August 24, 1964.