Fantasy Canyon

Fantasy Canyon near Vernal

(near Vernal) There are places in Utah where you feel like you’ve left the state. Then there are places like Fantasy Canyon, where you wonder if you’ve left the planet.

The twisted and eroded rocks give the place an eerie, yet fun, feel

This bizarre, weather-warped wonderland sits about 40 miles south of Vernal in eastern Utah, tucked out in the high desert near oil rigs and wide-open nothingness. But once you get there? It’s like walking through a Tim Burton sketchbook. Or maybe Mars. Or possibly the inside of a lava lamp after it’s been left in the sun too long.

It looks like the rocks melted

I visited in the fall of 2023 with Kylie and our dog Timber, who, at the time, was still young enough to hike with me and old enough to know when I needed watching. We went on a Monday and the whole place was empty. It was raining a little bit, so perhaps that kept people away. But having the whole place to ourselves gave Fantasy Canyon even more of an eerie silence broken only by the occasional raven and Timber sniffing for rabbits in all the cracks and crevices.

Timber looking for rabbits

Fantasy Canyon isn’t big. You’re not trekking for miles. You basically park in a lot right next to the site and it's all right there in front of you. Maybe it's the size of a football field? Or half a football field? It’s more like nature’s version of a sculpture garden built over millions of years with wind, water, and a weird sense of humor.

Overview of the center of Fantasy Canyon. Can you see the bench in the middle?

The rocks twist and turn into fragile arches, strange spires, and shapes that have earned nicknames like “The Flying Witch,” “The Skull,” and “The Teapot.”

This looks like a dog head to me

There’s a short trail that loops around the formations, but I wanted to get a better view and started hiking up toward the rim with Timber and Kylie so we could work our way down into Fantasy Canyon. As we got to the top, though, Kylie... who’s more of a “I’ll meet you back at the Jeep with snacks” kind of adventurer... decided she didn't really want to wander down into the rocks. So, she turned back, and Timber and I continued up the trail. Except not for long.

Kylie and Timber

A minute later, Timber decided she needed to make sure Kylie made it safely back to the Jeep and stayed with her the whole quarter-mile or so back. As soon as Kylie was at the Jeep, Timber turned and ran back toward me. I could see the moment she turned around, and sure enough, a few minutes later, she came up over a rock bounding back up to me, tail wagging like, “Okay, Dad. Mom Kylie made it safely to the Jeep. We’re good now. Let’s hike.” I’ll never forget that. She always took care of us in her own quiet way.

Timber was all smiles when she came back to me

We finished the loop through twisted rock and silent stone. We saw an odd-looking bench down in the center of the bottom of the canyon, so we went down to check it out. This wasn't a long adventure, but it was pretty awesome to be there. It's beautiful, a little haunting, and if I'm being honest here, a tad bit unsettling. I kept having this feeling like it's waiting for something. I can't explain it. Or maybe it’s just waiting for someone to notice how special it is. It wasn't enough to make me run away like a place that's truly haunted makes me feel, but it did have that sense of... waiting.

The bench at the bottom and middle of Fantasy Canyon

I loved our time at Fantasy Canyon and can't wait to go back. If you like odd geology, eerie landscapes, or just want to feel like you stepped into a science fiction movie without needing to buy a ticket, Fantasy Canyon is for you.

One day, someone visiting Mars will take a similar picture

Unless you live in Eastern Utah, it’s a bit of a drive to get out there and it's not very well marked, though there is a sign as you get closer. There is a pit toilet in the parking area, but there’s no shade or water. It was on the cooler side when we visited in the Fall. Summer heat can be brutal, from what I have read.

Close up of the mud and caked dirt that is on many of the rocks

This is a fragile area. Many of the formations seem like they will crumble at any minute. So, please don’t climb on the formations. Cell signal is iffy, so maybe download a map ahead of time to know where you're going to get there. Dogs are allowed, but there are no potty bags there, so bring your own. And maybe thank them if they check on your loved ones before returning to hike with you :)

Fantasy Canyon right next to the parking area

LOCATION: Google Maps Link Fantasy Canyon is about 40 miles south of Vernal. The last few miles are on dirt roads, but you don't need a 4-wheel drive for this one. Easy peasy.

Directional sign as you get closer

Rocks are everywhere

There are a lot of formations to explore

Wind, water, and time

Bring a fully charged camera with lots of memory

I don't know and I wasn't going to find out

My good girl Timber. I miss her so much