These Places In Utah Sound Spooky, But They’re Actually Delightful

Utah has some pretty cool spots, from the other-worldly Goblin Valley to the vast expanse of Dead Horse Point State Park. Have you ever noticed how many of our pretty spots have evil, sinister-sounding names? I'm not sure why that is, except that Utah was certainly a much more forbidding place to explore back in the day when trappers, settlers and mountain men were reliant on horses to get them across the desert. Here are nine places in Utah that sound kind of spooky, but are actually delightful to visit (especially since you can do so by car with air conditioning and plenty of bottled water)!

1. Spooky Gulch

I suppose that in the dark, you could be creeped out by all the little alcoves in the wider part of this slot canyon - something evil could be lurking around the next bend (maybe a rattlesnake?).

Otherwise the only spooky thing about it is how narrow it gets in spots. Mostly, it's just beautiful.

2. Devil's Slide, Weber Canyon

These two parallel limestone slabs rise 40 feet from the mountainside, and the layers of rock and dirt in between have eroded away to make the perfect slippery slide for a huge devil (or maybe the Jolly Green Giant?). You can see Devil's Slide right from I-84.

3. Hell's Backbone Road/Bridge, In Between Escalante And Boulder

Hell's Backbone is a 38-mile long gravel road that connects Escalante and Boulder. You'll also cross the 109-foot-long Hell's Backbone Bridge - it's just 14 feet wide and a little nerve-wracking. Don't look over the edge if you're afraid of heights!

4. Goblin Valley State Park

You won't find any goblins or ghouls here - just tons of cool mushroom-shaped hoodoos. You might feel as though you're Mars!

5. Devil's Garden, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Devil's Garden is located about 17 miles miles from Escalante. You'll find Metate Arch and many odd hoodoos there.

6. Devil's Garden Loop Trail, Arches National Park

Utah has two Devil's Gardens! This popular trail in Arches NP is difficult, but well worth it - you'll see multiple arches and some amazing views.

7. Parowan

There's certainly nothing spooky about this pretty little Southern Utah town. It's name comes from the Native American word which means "Evil Water."

8. Flying Witch, Fantasy Canyon

If you use your imagination a little, you can make out a flying witch in this rock formation. Not really spooky - but certainly cool!

9. Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point is so named because of a legend that cowboys gathered up wild horses and drove them to the natural corral here, then left them to die of thirst. Some say this place is actually haunted by the spirits of those horses, but mostly it's just a really incredibly gorgeous place with spectacular views.

What's your favorite "spooky/delightful" place to visit in Utah?

For more of Utah's amazing natural wonders, check out this article.