A Salvador Dalí–esque melted-rock fantasy, a valley of giant stone mushrooms, an otherworldly alien landscape or the results of a cosmological acid trip? No matter what you think the stadium-like valley of stunted hoodoos resembles, one thing’s for sure – the 3654-acre Goblin Valley State Park is just plain fun. A few trails lead from the overlooks down to the valley floor. You can climb down, around and even over the evocative ‘goblins’ (2ft to 20ft–tall formations). Kids and photographers especially love it.

Some of Utah’s most famous canyoneering routes are found in the park. The San Rafael Swell and Robber’s Roost are for experienced canyoneers and should otherwise only be attempted with a guide or group. Robber’s Roost’s Bluejohn Canyon has become one of the most famous canyoneering routes in the world. It gained infamy in 2003, when Aron Ralston spent 127 hours here pinned to a boulder before finally amputating his arm. His ordeal has been captured in books and the media, as well as in the 2010 James Franco movie 127 Hours. The biggest mistake he made: not telling anybody where he was going.