Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is home to some of the most unique and beautiful natural wonders. While some of these natural features are well known like Calf Creek Falls and Buckskin Gulch, there is another area that deserves just as much attention – Devil’s Garden. This natural playground may be small but it features remarkable hoodoos, sandstone formations, and even arches. This is one destination in Utah where Mother Nature sure outdid herself.
Devil’s Garden is essentially a small park full of sandstone formations. It may remind you of areas in Utah like Goblin Valley, but on a much smaller scale.
To reach Devil’s Garden, you will follow the Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument for approximately 12 miles. You will come to a small lot in front of the Devil’s Garden where you can park and stay for the day.
This area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is the perfect family stop. There is a short hike to help you better explore the formations or you can just sit at a picnic table and enjoy the view from a distance.
The unique hoodoos, arches, and other formations were created by erosion. Since the Jurassic Period (more than 160 million years ago), erosion has slowly shaped the sandstone into the remarkable creations that we see today.
The trail to view the sandstone formations is less than one mile long and very easy. This makes it perfect for the entire family to enjoy and a great way to spend an hour or two.
Up close, these formations appear massive and the unique shapes can unleash your imagination. Don’t forget your camera as this isn’t something you will see every day.
While any time of day is fun to explore the Devil’s Garden, plan a visit during a sunset, sunrise, or on a clear night. The skies in this area are hard to beat.
