Group of desert rock formations, shaped by wind erosion to resemble mushrooms or toadstools.
The Toadstool Hoodoos are a short, strange detour just off Highway 89 near Kanab, on the edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante. A dirt parking lot (with portable toilets and a trail register) puts you on an easy wash-bottom path that opens up to a valley of white and red badlands topped with mushroom-capped rock spires — hoodoos formed where a harder caprock has protected the softer sandstone beneath it from wind and rain. Round trip runs about 1.5 miles and most people are back at the car within an hour, though the last stretch to the main hoodoo cluster involves a little scrambling without handholds.
Bring water and sun protection; there's no shade on the trail and reviewers note it runs hotter than expected even on mild days. It's not a destination worth a special trip on its own, but as a stretch-your-legs stop between Kanab and points north, it's an easy, memorable one — especially with kids.
1,224 reviews
4 months ago
Quick and easy hike with a great payoff at the end. More to see over the rise to the left. It was only 80 degrees, but I was getting a sunburn in the first 30 minutes. It was a great stop to stretch our legs and it's probably even better in the early morning or evening with softer sunlight. With some extra wandering, it was about 2 miles total.
5 months ago
One of the coolest little hikes I've been on in a while! Just be sure to bring a warm jacket, water, a flashlight, and GPS capability on your phone, because there's a good chance you'll want to linger until after sunset... Please take good care of this area, including the parking lot, so that future generations can enjoy the same access to such a beautiful place!
5 months ago
It was a relatively short hike. Only took about 45 minutes round-trip. It was labeled as .8 miles to get there one way, 1.6 miles round-trip. I will say that this is a hike only to complete outside of the summer season. I went on April 19 where it was only 55° outside, but the sun beaming down on you really makes it feel much hotter. There are a lot of flowers along the path at this time of year. I’m sure there was more than I saw. I’ve seen this hike described as easy, but I would more so describe it as moderate and just short. There were a couple of areas where you had to somewhat scramble and there aren’t any handholds. I enjoyed the view but it wasn’t a showstopper. Worthwhile if you’re in the area but I wouldn’t come from out of town for it. Additionally, on the way back I somehow got off of the path. Even though there were a footprints that I was following, I ended up a bit east of the parking lot and had to climb under the fence. I came up next to the sewer drain, so be careful on the way back! there were a handful of people on the trail as well. By the time I got back to the parking lot, it was even more full with cars than when I started, and it was already pretty full when I started. I finished around 10:45.
4 months ago
I absolutely loved Toadstool Hoodoos. The landscape feels almost otherworldly, especially once you reach the hoodoos at the end of the trail. The hike begins from a small parking area with two portable toilets. Entry is free, and the round trip is about 1.5 miles on easy terrain. We went around sunset, and the glowing red colors made the scenery even more stunning. Best of all, there were very few people around, so it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. Just make sure to head back with enough daylight remaining, especially if you stay through sunset.
5 months ago
This was such a rewarding hike. The hike is not too hard, but is probably around a mile and a half one way. And the path goes through washes and up and down hills. But at the end of the path you are rewarded with the most beautiful hoodoos. There are only a few of them but they are very unique. And the white walls, mixed with the red cliffs, makes for a beautiful place to visit. And the best part of all, it's free. No cost at all and a few porta potties to help out.