Explore the Cosmic Ashtray
HikingChallengingSpringFall
Find this surreal, orange-sand-filled massive stone bowl hidden deep in the backcountry of Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Itinerary tips
- 1Secure a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to navigate the deep sand and jagged rocks of Harris Wash or the Spencer Flat route.
- 2Download offline topographic maps and a GPS track, as there is no cell service and no marked trail across the slickrock.
- 3Pack at least four liters of water per person and salty snacks to combat the intense exposure and elevation gain.
- 4Plan for a 5 to 8-hour round-trip commitment depending on your chosen route and physical pace.
- 5Park only in designated pull-outs off Hole-in-the-Rock Road and display your free backcountry permit obtained at the Escalate Interagency Visitor Center.
- 6Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the entire scale of the orange sand pool against the white sandstone walls.
More in Southern Utah Parks
Hike the Navajo and Peekaboo Loop
Descend from Sunset Point through Wall Street’s towering cliffs and wind through the 'Silent City' hoodoos.
HikingHike to Lower Calf Creek Falls
Follow a sandy 6-mile trail to a stunning 126-foot waterfall tucked inside a sheer Navajo sandstone alcove.
HikingStargaze at Mossy Cave Trail
Witness the Milky Way arching over Bryce Canyon's hoodoos in one of the world’s darkest International Dark Sky Parks.
ScenicPick Heritage Apples in Fruita Orchards
Harvest crisp, sun-ripened fruit directly from 100-year-old trees managed by the National Park Service in the heart of Capitol Reef.
Family
