Little Egypt
- Alex Cabrero
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
(near Hanksville) As soon as I got of the Jeep, the silence hit me. The landscape, the absolute quiet, the stillness of the place. I imagine this is what walking on Mars would feel like.
I remember thinking, this looks like a miniature Goblin Valley. The sun bounced off the red and white sandstone. Timber, my black Borador (lab and border collie mix) hopped out next to me, tail wagging, her nose already to the ground. She always beat me to exploring. She was my loyal pup with her half tail and those curious eyes that always seemed to know when we were about to explore something special. She always loved to sniff around and find her own path. She was full of life back then and I miss her dearly.
I visited this spot during the Covid pandemic back in 2021. The entire area near Hanksville is a good place to get away from it all. The Little Egypt Geologic Site immediately gives you the curiosity any young geologist must feel... how the heck did this little place form?! It must've taken countless years for the wind and water to carve this place into the shapes that made the landscape feel alive.
Part of the beauty of this place, besides the landscape, is that there was no one else around when we visited. No crowds, no cell service, no noise. Just the wind, the rocks, and space and time to wander among the formations. Little Egypt isn’t a big place, it’s maybe a mile long and just a few hundred feet wide in spots, but it feels vast. Maybe it’s the solitude.
They call this place Little Egypt because the rock formations, with their strange towers and rounded tops, look like miniature Egyptian temples. Scientists say these hoodoos are made of Entrada sandstone. It's the same kind of rock that gives Goblin Valley its otherworldly look. You’re free to wander wherever your curiosity (or your dog) leads. There aren't any formal trails or facilities. It's just you and your desire to peek around the next corner.
Places like this remind me why I love exploring Utah. You can drive hours and still stumble upon a spot that feels untouched. It's where you can slow down, breathe, reflect, and just be. I didn’t see another soul on our visit. Just Timber and me, walking among the spires, the sound of our feet and paws the only thing breaking the silence. There was a peace in that stillness... the kind that reminds you of how small you are and how big the world still feels.
Visiting Little Egypt GPS Coordinates Little Egypt Geologic Site sits just off Highway 95, about 20 miles south of Hanksville in southern Utah. Look for a small sign pointing toward the area. It's easy to miss, blending right into the landscape. From there, a short dirt road takes you to a parking area.
If you’re looking for a quiet detour on your way to Lake Powell, Capitol Reef, or Goblin Valley, this is worth a stop.
The road is usually passable with a standard 2WD, but a high-clearance vehicle or 4x4 makes exploring deeper sections easier, especially if the weather hasn’t been dry.
There are no facilities, so just be prepared with snacks and drinks. Plus, after Hanksville, there's really nothing on Highway 24 for more than a hundred miles to Blanding, so be prepared with gas as well.
Even though it’s easy to reach, Little Egypt feels like a secret. It’s quiet, intimate, and full of surprises. I wasn't planning on going here... it was just one of those places where going down a dirt road led to a surprise. And if you’re lucky enough to have a four-legged companion like Timber, you’ll have an even better excuse to wander a little slower, sniff a little more, and soak it all in.
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