Toadstools Trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is remarkable and doesn’t quite get the attention it deserves. The rock formations on the trail are astonishing and provide lots of eye candy for the nature lover or photographer. For a trail so accessible and family-friendly, I’m surprised it isn’t more crowded. It’s likely due to its location. This Southern Utah trail is an area full of amazing rock formations and spectacular scenery to steal the limelight.
What to expect. No need to hike across the desert uphill for miles in order to take in these unique formations. This family-friendly Southern Utah trail is only 1.5 miles round trip. Even a non-hiker can enjoy these sites with minimal effort.
Toadstools Trail begins with a hike along a dry wash. Don’t let the dry wash fool you. The entire trail isn’t this flat. There are several places where one has to go up and over small hills and rocks. It isn’t that strenuous, but it probably wouldn’t be a fit for someone with a mobility issue.
The end of this Southern Utah trail almost looks like an amphitheater with small cliffs surrounding the main toadstool features. Because there are so many interesting and unique rock formations, plan to spend some time here marveling at them. This is not a place to rush. Rather, slow down and enjoy.
What you’ll see. I immediately noticed the painted-desert-style striated rocks along the trail. I’d seen many while driving through the area. However, this trail provided a good opportunity to enjoy a closer view and take some photographs. The color variation makes for an incredible sight.
Once we reached the area containing the toadstools, I noticed the color of the cliff walls – almost white with a yellow cast. It makes a nice backdrop for the toadstools. My kiddo enjoyed playing in the sand here which afforded us the opportunity to just enjoy the scenery. The toadstools come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some of the formations are quite large. On many, the top appears to be purposefully balanced on the base.
Overall, this Southern Utah trail was a hit for my family. While I had seen some information about this trail before our trip, I certainly wasn’t expecting a trail which was so accessible to be so amazing. If you are near the area, it is absolutely worth a stop.
Updated 2018
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