Dirt Castles Until Dark
GOBLIN VALLEY WITH KIDS // LITTLE WILD HORSE, MOLLY’S CASTLE
Nights out: 2 Miles driven: 539 Soundtrack: Noga Erez — The Vandalist
Desert Nostalgia
A family camping trip to Goblin Valley with kids, desert wandering, Little Wild Horse, Molly’s Castle, sandy snacks, and two nights of Utah desert nostalgia.
Day 1
All my wife wanted for Mother’s Day was a weekend alone, at the spa. I figured I’d take the kids and rough it outside while she was getting pampered. I booked it out of work as soon as I could, packed up the Bronco, grabbed the kids, and hit the road.
I was sick of driving the regular direct route, so we avoided Highway 6 and took the scenic route instead. Today, we drove over the bridges we drove under last weekend on our way to Goblin Valley. I grew up climbing around Goblin Valley, back when the hoodoos felt twice as tall, and the whole place seemed like a playground built for rowdy kids. I wanted to bring mine back before they got too old to believe a pile of dirt could be a castle.
We pulled into camp, set up the rig, and started climbing on hoodoos.
Day 2
Today was our day to go explore. We woke up early, made some extra crispy bacon, and lathered up in sunscreen — shade is a scarce resource in Goblin Valley. As soon as the kids saw the valley, the fight for what to do and see next began. We climbed on this hill and that one. From the tops, we’d find even more cool spots to go climb. Then we found a small cave, crawled in, and played in the light beams at the end. We climbed out through a hole in the roof and set off for the next adventure.
We spent an hour cooling off in the car while exploring some dirt roads, castles, and valleys. Then, it was off to Little Wild Horse. The canyon started wide and sunny but quickly got narrow, cool, and enclosed. We dragged our hands on the walls as we went further up the slot canyon. Little legs grew tired, so we went back the way we came for some more driving and exploring.
The kids took turns in the driver’s seat, swerving back and forth and picking the worst lines through washes and canyons. Probably doesn’t help when you can only see the sky through the windshield.
As we neared camp, the wind picked up, and we spent the next 6 hours getting sandblasted. We made some sandy pasta and meatballs, hunkered down in the truck, and waited for the desert to calm the hell down. The wind died, and we played tag in the hoodoos until we couldn’t see. Then we lit the fire and played some more.
Day 3
The morning was as calm as I’ve ever experienced. Crisp blue skies, a small chill in the air, and zero noise were the perfect conditions for frying some bacon and making cinnamon toast. We said our goodbyes to our site and hit the road home. Taking the regular direct route this time. I don’t know if they’ll remember the route, or the world-class campsite, or the sandy meatballs. But I hope they remember Goblin Valley as a place where the rocks were for climbing, the rules were loose, and bedtime came long after the stars came up.
No big lesson from this one. Just three kids, one with grey hairs peeking out of his beard and two young ones, defending dirt castles until dark. Sometimes that’s the whole point.
A few practical notes from the Goblin Valley trip
-
Yes. Goblin Valley is one of the best desert stops in Utah for kids because the valley itself feels like a giant natural playground. There’s room to wander, climb around, explore, and burn energy without needing a big objective.
-
Yes. You can camp in the Goblin Valley area, including developed camping and nearby desert camping options depending on conditions, availability, and current rules.
-
Not for the main Goblin Valley visit in normal conditions. A high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle becomes more useful if you start exploring nearby dirt roads, especially after weather.
-
Bring more water than you think, sun protection, snacks, layers, wipes, and shoes you don’t mind filling with sand. Goblin Valley is easy to enjoy, but it is still exposed desert.
Keep Wandering
More family desert camping: Buckhorn Draw
More Goblin-country desert roads: New Boot Goofin’
More Bronco setup notes: The Rig
