Wahweap Hoodoos Trail in Utah 2024

The capped white columns is a strange geological phenomenon, formed over millions of years

Best time: March–May | September–November

These white stones resemble goblins, ghosts, toadstools, and other strange things. But in fact, their unique geology is just the work of sun and wind. The Wahweap Hoodoos are located near Big Water at the edge of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, in Southern Utah, three hours north of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.

The caps of the hoodoos are hard Dakota Sandstones that are 100 million years old, and the posts of the hoodoos are softer Entrada Sandstones, 160 million years old. A small cap of hard rock resistant to erosion protects the underlying soft rock, and thus the cone of protected rock takes the shape of a column.

The Wahweap Hoodoos are accessible via the trail, which begins in Wahweap Creek just below the 4WD parking area. Even though there's year-round access to the trail, the best time for a hike is during spring or fall, as the trail is in the sun which is hardly bearable in the summer months.

The most photographed white hoodoo in the "Towers of Silence", this section can be found at the 4.3 miles (6.9 km) mark of the trail. From the Wahweap Hoodoos, you can take a short walk to the darker side with brown hoodoos set off the highway at the Rimrocks.

Practical info

When is the best time to visit Wahweap Hoodoos Trail?

To experience a comfortable hiking experience, visitors should consider visiting Wahweap Hoodoos Trail during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) seasons when the temperature conditions are mild, and the trail is less harsh under the sun. Summer months in Southern Utah, where the Wahweap Hoodoos Trail is located, are hot, making it difficult to have a comfortable hiking experience.

Where are the Wahweap Hoodoos located?

Located at the edge of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah is the unique Wahweap Hoodoos geological formations. From the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, it takes around three hours to arrive at the hoodoos, situated near Big Water. To access the hoodoos, visitors should begin the trail at Wahweap Creek, which is below the 4WD parking space.

What is the geological formation of the Wahweap Hoodoos?

Composed of soft Entrada Sandstone and hard Dakota Sandstone caps, the Wahweap Hoodoos are mesmerizing white stone columns that resulted from millions of years of sun and wind erosion in Southern Utah. The cap of the hard rock that is resistant to erosion protects the underlying soft rock, resulting in various shapes that resemble unique goblins, ghosts, and toadstools-like hoodoos formations.

How old are the hard and soft sandstones that make up the Wahweap Hoodoos?

The Wahweap Hoodoos consist of soft Entrada Sandstones that are 160 million years old and hard Dakota Sandstone caps that are 100 million years old. These hoodoos formations took millions of years of wind corrosion, which left the soft-rock exposed and protected by hard rock formations, creating the unique arrangement visible today.

Are there other hoodoo formations in the vicinity of Wahweap Hoodoos Trail?

Rimrocks, known for its brown hoodoos, is a location off Roho Road that visitors can access from the Wahweap Hoodoos Trail. The Wahweap Hoodoos Trail is home to several hoodoo formations, but visitors can take a short walk through the Roho Road to enjoy a different view of the towering and thing rock formations in Rimrocks.