Utah
Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

The Toadstools In Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Look Like Something From Another Planet

Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument features unique rock formations called The Toadstools, accessible via an easy trail.

Published Mar 5, 2020

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

Utah has thousands of unique rock formations, from the eye-catching hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park to the stunning arches at Arches National Park. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is home to some quirky formations known as The Toadstools, and once you get a look at 'em, you'll know how they got their name!

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers a million acres in southern Utah, and it's home to all kinds of fascinating slot canyons and rock formations.

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The landscape here really is other-worldly, isn't it?

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Some of the quirkiest formations are found 45 miles east of Kanab. They're called The Toadstools, and you can take a short, easy trail to see them.

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Find the trailhead just past the Paria Contact Station. You'll see signs for The Toadstools trailhead, and there's a parking lot on the north side of the road.

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The trail is very easy, with an elevation gain of just over 100 feet. You'll walk a total of 1.6 miles, out and back.

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The best time to explore this region is in the spring and fall when the weather is warm but mild. You'll want to make sure to bring some water along, and wear a hat and sunscreen.

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The toadstools are made up of Dakota sandstone and Entrada sandstone.

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Jennifer Kumar/Alltrails

Erosion created these fascinating formations over thousands of years. The soft Entrada sandstone eroded away over time, but the Dakota sandstone on top is much harder, so it formed a cap. The result is a rock formation that resembles a mushroom.

Throughout this area, you can easily witness the different layers of sandstone. Much like the rings of trees, you can literally see millions of years of history right before your eyes.

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Carissa Frisbie

The toadstools situated on the wide-open expanse of desert landscape is stunning. For some really beautiful photos, visit at sunrise or sunset.

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When you visit this wild, beautiful place, make sure to leave it the way you found it. Please don't climb on the rock formations and toadstools! Pack out anything you pack in. Let's keep this place pristine for future generations.

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Jennifer Kumar/Alltrails

There's no fee to visit this area, and you're welcome to bring your dog along on this hike.

Have you seen The Toadstools up close and in person? We'd love to hear about your trip to Grand Staircase National Monument!

 

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Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

Enjoy A Guided Bus City Tour And Explore Top Urban Attractions In Salt Lake City, Utah

Explore Salt Lake City’s top urban attractions and historic sites on a 2.5-hour guided bus tour.

Published Feb 27, 2023

Written by 

Courtnie Erickson

Have you ever wanted to be a tourist in your own city and explore the place you call home in a totally new way? Well, you can when you take a Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour. On this unique bus ride, you will spend several hours enjoying some of the city’s best urban attractions like the Utah State Capitol Building, locations from the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and historic sites. It’s a sightseeing adventure where you will likely fall in love with the city all over again.

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Salt Lake City has so much to offer and whether you have lived in the city your entire life or you are just visiting, it may be hard to know which destinations are worth exploring and which ones you can simply pass by. That’s where the Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour comes into play.

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This 2.5-hour bus tour takes you to several of the best urban attractions in Salt Lake City. You will stop and explore six different locations around the city and pass by nearly a dozen other attractions along your way.

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You will have an English-speaking tour guide take you to destinations like the Utah State Capitol Building and locations from the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

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You’ll also check out lesser-known attractions like Old Deseret Village, Fort Douglas, and the Pony Express Monument.

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As part of your guided tour, you will learn a little about the unique history of the Salt Lake Valley with stops at Temple Square and the Lion House, where you can purchase lunch if desired.

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A highlight of this tour is visiting the Salt Lake Tabernacle, which is home to one of the largest organs in the entire world. During this stop, you may even be lucky enough to enjoy a live recital inside this remarkable building.

This city tour is ideal for individuals of all ages and up to 30 guests can take the tour at a time. The bus will pick up all guests at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City and drop off at the same location. When placing your reservation, you will receive a mobile ticket.

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Explore Salt Lake City like never before on a guided bus tour. It truly will make you fall in love with this incredible city all over again.

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Have you ever taken a guided bus tour of Salt Lake City? If so, what did you think of your adventure? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments. For more information on this tour, including the itinerary, availability, and price, visit the Trip Advisor website.

Salt Lake City is certainly one Utah city that you need to explore. In fact, Salt Lake City was named one of the most fun cities in America.

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Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

The Mysterious Hidden Gem Attraction In Utah You Never Even Knew Existed

Gilgal Sculpture Garden in Salt Lake City is a unique and bizarre hidden gem featuring original sculptures and engraved stones.

Published Feb 14, 2023

Written by 

Courtnie Erickson

There are so many hidden gems in Utah that are just waiting to be discovered. One of these is the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, a unique Utah garden that is tucked away in a Salt Lake City neighborhood and behind businesses. Despite being in the middle of the city, many individuals don’t even know it exists and it is one hidden gem in Utah that is strange, unique, and definitely bizarre.

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The Gilgal Sculpture Garden is located at 749 East 500 South in Salt Lake City and is one of a kind.

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This unique garden was the project of Thomas Battersby Child, Jr. who began work on the garden in 1945. Child was not only an artist but also a stonemason.

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This isn’t your average garden. The Gilgal Sculpture Garden contains 12 original sculptures and more than 70 engraved stones.

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The sculptures and stones feature all types of engravings including scripture, religious individuals, poetry, and so much more.

For example, one of the most well-known sculptures in the garden is the Joseph Smith Sphinx. Joseph Smith was a prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

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Other intriguing works you can view in this garden include The Monument to the Trade, Malachi, and The Last Chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes.

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Gilgal Sculpture Garden/Facebook

Child designed the garden in hopes that those who explore it will ponder the “unsolved mysteries in life.” He hoped that the garden would inspire curiosity and deep thinking.

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Gilgal Sculpture Garden/Facebook

At first glance, many of the sculptures and engravings throughout the garden may seem difficult to understand and even a little gruesome. However, once you understand the meaning behind the sculptures, they are intriguing.

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On the Gilgal Sculpture Garden website, you can click on a map to receive information about each sculpture. There are also walking tour brochures available at the garden.

The Gilgal Sculpture Garden is open seven days a week. Hours vary depending on the time of year. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

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Have you ever visited the Gilgal Sculpture Garden in Salt Lake City? What did you find most interesting about this garden? Let us know in the comments. You can learn even more about this hidden gem in Utah on the garden’s website and Facebook page.

Are you searching for even more hidden gems in the Beehive State? We’ve got you covered! Check out this hidden gem road trip in Utah that will take you to some of the best.

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