May 3
My goal this year was to focus on photography. Even though my route would take me through some familiar places, I knew there were still endless nooks and crannies left to explore. Over time, I’ve gathered a lot of information on where to camp, restock supplies, and get off the beaten path.
After digging deeper into the Northern Arizona and Southern Utah region, I was excited to discover more remote areas with fresh hiking and photo opportunities.
While still in the Page, AZ area, I decided to get an early start and camp nearby my first location for the next day to catch that soft, golden morning light again. From camp, it was just a short walk to the edge of the plateau—where the land suddenly drops into the wild, otherworldly terrain of the Hoodoo Forest.
Hoodoo Forest (also known as the White Rocks Hoodoos or Rimrocks)
Hidden in the remote stretch of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, about an hour east of Page, Arizona, the Hoodoo Forest is a surreal and rarely visited landscape. This area is named for its dense concentration of towering white sandstone hoodoos—delicate natural spires capped with darker rock “hats”—that rise like frozen sentinels from the desert floor. Unlike the red-toned hoodoos seen in nearby areas, these are strikingly pale, with smooth white or light cream pillars standing in clusters, giving the illusion of a stone forest.
The access route is remote and requires a high-clearance vehicle via Cottonwood Canyon Road and a short hike through sandy washes. The silence and solitude here are profound, and the landscape feels untouched and otherworldly—perfect for solitude, photography, and exploration. The formations were sculpted over millions of years by erosion acting on alternating layers of soft Entrada sandstone and harder Dakota sandstone caprock.
After spending some time in the quiet, otherworldly landscape of the Hoodoo Forest, I retraced my route back to the main road and then drove south toward the Toadstool Hoodoos. The two spots are relatively close—just a short drive apart—making it easy to visit both in one day (if you find a nearby camping spot). At the Toadstools, I found a small parking area with a clearly marked trailhead right off the highway.
Toadstool Hoodoos
Located just off U.S. Highway 89 between Page, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah, the Toadstool Hoodoos are among the most accessible and photogenic rock formations in the region. A short and family-friendly 1.5-mile round-trip hike leads you into a badlands landscape of red-orange cliffs and balanced rock formations. These hoodoos resemble giant mushrooms—narrow stems of softer sandstone topped with broader, harder capstones.
The contrast of red and white rock, plus the bizarre balancing acts of the stone layers, makes this a favorite stop for photographers and geology enthusiasts. While the hike is relatively easy, it still offers a dramatic sense of discovery as the formations appear suddenly at the end of the wash.