This fall, the Utah Desert Festival expands its offerings with the addition of the Goblin Valley Gravel Ride, scheduled for November 9, 2025. Designed to highlight the unique geography of Goblin Valley State Park and the San Rafael Swell, the ride introduces cyclists to a landscape defined by sandstone hoodoos, expansive vistas, and echoes of the region’s mining past.
The event begins inside Goblin Valley State Park, where riders set off among the valley’s iconic rock formations. After a short stretch on rolling roads, the route transitions to gravel, leading deeper into the desert. Along the way, participants encounter cathedral-like cliffs, remnants of early 20th-century mining activity, and broad horizons that reveal rock formations shaped over millennia—some marked with carvings that date back thousands of years.
Three route options accommodate a range of abilities and ambitions:
- 111 km (69 miles, 3,900 ft of climbing): A challenging course that combines extended climbs with fast descents and rugged gravel terrain.
- 72 km (44 miles, 2,900 ft of climbing): A mid-distance option with a mix of elevation gain, flat stretches, and flowing downhills.
- 56 km (34 miles, moderate climbing): An approachable introduction to desert gravel riding with a shorter but still scenic route.
The event is open to gravel, mountain, and e-bikes, encouraging participation across cycling disciplines. With both free Bureau of Land Management camping nearby and campsites within Goblin Valley State Park, the ride offers opportunities for riders to extend their experience into a full desert weekend.
For those seeking an immersive cycling adventure, the Goblin Valley Gravel Ride provides a chance to test endurance and explore one of Utah’s most distinctive landscapes.
Event details:
November 9 — Goblin Valley Gravel Ride, Elevation Culture Race Series, Hanksville, Utah, 56, 72, and 111 km options, Part of the Goblin Valley Dirt Festival weekend experience that you do not want to miss. Ride along an ancient place featuring thousands of Hoodoos referred to as Goblins, which are formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles. Capture views of historic mining ghost towns, and ancient petroglyphs along the rock faces. This picturesque environment will be a sight to see as you ride throughout the protected Utah landscape, Eric Chrisman, [email protected], runsignup.com/Race/UT/GreenRiver/GoblinValleyGravelRide, elevationculture.com
