Utah is world-renowned for its surreal, otherworldly rock formations-many of which require adventurous hikes or rugged drives to reach. Here are ten of the most outlandish and awe-inspiring formations that are well worth the journey:
1. Cosmic Ashtray (Escalante)
- This bizarre, crater-like sandstone formation looks almost alien, with a deep circular pit carved by wind and water over millennia. It’s one of the most remote and surreal sites off Hole in the Rock Road, requiring a challenging hike through the desert.
2. Devil’s Garden (Grand Staircase-Escalante)
- Featuring a natural sculpture garden of hoodoos, arches, and towers, Devil’s Garden offers a playground of strange rock shapes perfect for exploration and photography. The rough drive and short hike add to the adventure.
3. Fantasy Canyon (Uintah County)
- Known for its intricate, melted wax-like stone figures, Fantasy Canyon is a compact area packed with bizarre pinnacles, arches, and knobs. The fragile sandstone forms are the result of unique weathering, and the drive through oil fields and rough roads makes the visit even more memorable.
4. Goblin Valley (Goblin Valley State Park)
- This valley is filled with thousands of mushroom-shaped hoodoos-nicknamed “goblins.” The landscape feels like a playground for giants, and the rough desert drive adds to the sense of discovery.
5. Peekaboo & Spooky Gulch Slot Canyons
- These narrow, twisting slot canyons near Escalante offer one of Utah’s most adventurous hikes. Squeeze through tight passages and scramble over rocks in a labyrinth of orange and pink sandstone.
6. Delicate Arch (Arches National Park)
- Perhaps Utah’s most iconic formation, Delicate Arch stands alone atop a slickrock bowl. The 3-mile hike is strenuous but rewards with one of the most breathtaking views in the state.
7. Mexican Hat Rock
- This improbable, sombrero-shaped rock balances a massive slab atop a narrow pedestal. Located near the town of Mexican Hat, it’s accessible by a rough dirt road and makes for a striking photo stop.
8. Wall Street (Bryce Canyon National Park)
- A natural slot canyon with towering, vertical limestone walls, Wall Street is lined with striated rock “stocks” and improbably rooted fir trees. The Navajo Loop Trail leads you through this dramatic corridor.
9. Fisher Towers (near Moab)
- These towering red spires and fins rise dramatically from the desert, with the tallest, the Titan, reaching 900 feet. The rugged trail weaves among these vertical cliffs, offering unmatched views and a sense of scale.
10. Valley of the Gods
- A remote landscape of sandstone monoliths, pinnacles, and buttes, Valley of the Gods rivals Monument Valley for grandeur but with far fewer crowds. The rough, 17-mile scenic drive is a must for those seeking solitude and dramatic desert scenery.
These formations showcase the wild, whimsical side of Utah’s geology-each one a testament to the power of wind, water, and time. Whether you’re hiking through tight slot canyons, scrambling over hoodoos, or bouncing down a remote dirt road, these outlandish rocks are worth every mile of effort.
Sources:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v23zwF_R8UA
- https://usadventurer.com/unique-rock-formations-in-utah/
- https://wheninyourstate.com/utah/12-outlandish-utah-rock-formations-worth-every-mile-of-hikes-rough-driving/
- https://www.myutahparks.com/things-to-do/natural-wonders/rock-formations-beyond/
- https://geology.utah.gov/map-pub/survey-notes/geosights/fantasy-canyon/
- https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/motorized-off-road