Toadstool hoodoos trail at sunset - southern, utah
If you’re looking for a breathtaking sunset hike in the Grand Staircase Escalante Monument, consider the famous Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. It’s a leisurely stroll but will show you ancient rock formations, cacti, and stunning canyon views. In this post, I’ll walk you through what you need to know before setting out on this hike.
Welcome to the Babymoon series! This group of blog posts chronicles a road trip that my then-partner (now husband) and I took in September of 2021. We left from our home in Philadelphia with our Great Dane, Lars, and pop-up camper in tow. I was seven months pregnant with our first son, Arlo. From Philly, we drove straight to Utah to see as many national and state parks as possible in two weeks. Halfway through, we decided to go even further to Joshua Tree to visit friends. After hitting a few destinations on the way back, including one of my favorites of the trip, White Sands, we landed back in Philly. Although my pregnant belly was somehow twice the size as when we left and I was exhausted, the places we saw were stunning and memorable. I’m exited to share each destination with you as I go through the trip's timeline. If you’d like to see an overview just click on the “babymoon” tag in red at the bottom of each post.
The Toadstool Hoodoos Trail was, by far, one of my favorite things to see in Utah. These rock formations are extraordinary and definitely something you don’t want to miss. We just happened to stumble upon the trail in our research of what to see in Kanab, and holy cow; I’m glad we saw it for ourselves.
Location
The trail is located in the Grand Staircase Escalante Monument, which is 1.87 million acres across Southern Utah. This trail is off US 89 S between Page, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah. We were staying at Dark Sky Campground in Kanab, so it was about a 40-minute drive for us.
Accessibility
The trail is pretty typical, with a dirt parking lot at the trailhead and a gate for entry. No fee is required and there’s a port-a-potty in the parking lot. You’ll walk a little ways through the canyon until you get to where the trail really starts.
What is a hoodoo
These geological formations are essentially giant pieces of sandstone eroded over time to create mushroom-like figures. They’re extremely delicate, so use caution around them. Do not climb on them or stand directly underneath.
One of the most well-known examples of hoodoos is in Bryce Canyon. You can see valleys full of them there, whereas, on the Toadstool Trail, they’re more dispersed. You’ll turn a corner, and suddenly, there’s a massive mushroom statue sitting on a little hill. It’s a nice surprise to come across on an otherwise beautiful trail of sprawling vistas.
Difficulty level
The Toadstool Hoodoos Trail is easy to do if you’re not up for a proper hike but still want that unique Utah experience. It’s about 1.5 miles, round trip, and our lazy Great Dane and I (pregnant at the time) were able to get by just fine. We didn’t go too far, however, as it was getting dark, and once you hit the hoodoos, it’s easy to get turned around. Make sure you’re paying attention to the trail and where you came from. There was one spot towards the beginning where we had to assist our dog in getting over. It’s just a small climb up a couple of rocks and coming back down was a lot easier for him.
There’s no coverage on the trail. You’re very exposed, so if you’re new to hiking or the heat, I wouldn’t advise going when the sun is at its highest, around midday. We went just before sunset (golden hour), making the light sweep the landscape so beautifully. The orange rock had a glow to it, the shadows were just perfect and it wasn’t overwhelmingly hot.
However, the trail is all dirt, so use caution if it’s raining or the ground is still muddy.
Terrain
Hoodoos aside, the scenery on this trail is worth the trip. You start in a canyon, so it’s more open in the beginning. Once you reach the more enclosed part, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful two-toned formations everywhere. There’s so much to see and every formation is unique. The scene changes every few minutes and the whole thing makes you feel like you’re in a Doctor Seuss illustration.
If you’re planning a trip to the area, Toadstool Hoodoos Trail should definitely be on your list. Utah has some of the most interesting landscape in my option yet; each place feels unique. This trail is no exception, with its colorfully layered terrain and stunning naturally formed sculptures. And if you do get the chance to visit, don’t forget the camera!
If you enjoyed this post, check out the rest of my Babymoon series or start from the beginning with An Afternoon in Canyonlands and Dead Horse.
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