Long Dong Silver

Alex Cabrero
Apr 29, 2024
3 min read

Updated: 1 minute ago

Tall, dark rock spire in desert landscape under cloudy sky. Beige cliffs in background, conveying a solitary, rugged mood. — *Long Dong Silver rock formation*

(Hanksville) The name itself is interesting enough to get some attention. Long Dong Silver?! It sounds like something out of some old cowboy western movie. And you know what? The scenery around this rock formation looks like it, too.

Rocky desert landscape with eroded cliffs and a prominent spire in the center. Cloudy sky with patches of blue. Rugged terrain. — *Approaching Long Dong Silver*

Long Dong Silver is a striking natural formation located near the small town of Hanksville. It is a slender black rock tower that seems out of place surrounded by reddish-brown buttes. That contrast gives it an alien feel almost like you're on another planet. As I was standing next to it and looking at the landscape, it felt like it was some kind of sundial.

Rocky landscape with towering spire under cloudy sky. Two people walk along a dirt path, conveying a sense of exploration and vastness. — *Timber and I at Long Dong Silver*

Timber and I made this trip specifically to hike to it. Even though it sounds intimidating, the hike is actually very easy. It's called the Long Dong Silver Trail (another name for this formation is Dark Spire or Silver Spire) and is only about a mile long on mostly level terrain. The trail itself is unmarked. You park right where you see signs saying "no motorized vehicles” and “cross country travel prohibited.”

Desert landscape with two signs: "No Motor Vehicles" allowing foot and bike travel, and "Cross Country Travel Prohibited". Rocky hills in the backdrop. — *Signs letting you know where you park*

From this point, park your car and walk straight on what used to be an off-road vehicle trail. You can still see tire marks from people who drove close to Long Dong Silver before the vehicle ban. Or from people who don't feel like the rules apply to them.

Dry desert landscape with cracked earth, tire tracks leading to distant rugged cliffs under a cloudy sky, creating an arid, barren mood. — *Tire tracks where motorized vehicles are banned*

There's a large butte on your right as you get closer. You'll cross a dry wash and continue north. Hike past butte and you'll start to see the top of the spire over a small hill. It's not hard to miss.

Monolithic statue on a barren, rocky hillside under a pale sky. The scene is calm and desolate, with earthy brown tones dominating. — *The top of the spire starts to appear over a hill as you get closer*

There are several ways to reach the spire but it's easy to see where others have hiked to it. It's truly by itself in an amphitheater of buttes. The spire is on a little slope that is easy to hike up.

Tall rock formations in a desert under a blue sky with clouds. A black goat stands on the arid, sloped terrain, creating a serene scene. — *Timber checking out the side of it*

I'm not sure how this thing formed, except it was probably erosion and time, Like most things in the desert. When you visit, there's a decent chance you'll have the place to yourself. I saw one other couple leaving as I hiked in. The quiet is so loud, if that makes sense. You can hear your heartbeat, your breathing, and if you brought a dog, the sniffing. It's a very peaceful, surreal, and alien feeling.

Tall, dark rock formations stand under a cloudy sky in a barren landscape, conveying a dramatic and desolate mood. — *Path to the side of the spire*

The spire is made up of flaky rocks and sand. If you walk up to it, you can see what I'm talking about. I think the best view is behind it... opposite in the direction you hiked in. But it's also impressive when you first see it. I guarantee you'll take a hundred pictures. It's also a great place to eat lunch or have a little snack. Just remember to take any garbage with you.

Close-up of textured gray rock surface with layered patterns, set against a blurred, bright sky and distant horizon in the background. — *Close up of the base*

I spent about 30 minutes just looking at it and taking pictures. This place is becoming more popular, but it's still enough of a hidden gem that your friends will ask you, "where is that?"

Rugged rock face viewed from below against a cloudy sky, showcasing textured layers and earthy tones. — *Looking up from the base of the rock*

To get there, head on Highway 24 for about seven miles west of Hanksville. You'll have to pull off to the side of the road (if Hanksville is behind you, pull off to the right) and head on some dirt off-rad trails. There are several dirt roads in the area, but they kind of all lead to the same spot where the "no motorized vehicles" signs are. It's about a mile to a mile and a half, depending on the dirt road you took.

Timber is smiling bigger than I am :)

Long Dong Silver is one of those easy adventures that will have you wanting to do more! Timber loved it, and with the alien landscape, you could honestly tell your friends you hiked for two days to reach it :)

A black dog stands on a rocky terrain under a cloudy sky with unique rock formations in the background. Its tongue is out, looking content. — *Timber wanted her picture on the hike out*

Rocky desert landscape with layered cliffs under a partly cloudy sky. The terrain is dry and rugged, evoking a sense of solitude. — *The buttes surrounding Long Dong Silver*

Sheer rock face under a clear blue sky. The rugged gray texture dominates the scene, contrasting with a few scattered white clouds. — *The middle section of the spire*

Tall, jagged rock formation under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds. The rock has layered textures, creating a dramatic scene. — *The top of Long Dong Silver*

A barren desert landscape with rocky formations under a cloudy sky. A dirt path leads through the sandy terrain, evoking solitude. — *The dirt road you hike on after parking*

Black dog with red collar lying on rocky terrain, tongue out. Tall rock formation in background under a cloudy sky. Calm mood. — *Timber enjoying a break*

Man smiling in a rocky desert wearing a navy North Face jacket. Background features unique rock formations under a partly cloudy sky. — *Me smiling that the hike was an easy one*