Stacked Cars

Alex Cabrero
Nov 12
4 min read

Updated: Dec 6

Stacked, rusted cars in blue and green are wedged between red rock cliffs, creating an abandoned, rugged scene. Sparse desert plants visible. — *The Stacked Cars in Catstair Canyon*

(near Kanab) There is something strange in a little canyon between Kanab and Page. I was looking online for interesting things to do near Kanab, and when I came across pictures of classic cars stacked on top of each other in a place called Catstair Canyon, I almost didn't believe it. So, with Aspen always ready for an adventure, Kylie and I decided to check it out.

Rusty cars stacked among red rocks in a desert canyon, some graffiti. Bright blue sky, rugged terrain, and a distant sign visible. — *The cars are full of sand and rocks*

The tricky part? Actually finding the place without becoming a hood ornament. The turnoff from Highway 89 comes fast. If you blink, aren't paying attention, or aren't prepared to slow down and turn, you'll fly right by it. Not just because it's a tiny spot, but mainly because you’re barreling down the road at highway speeds. There might be traffic behind you, so please be careful as you look for and turning into this spot.

Curving road with yellow arrow signs against a backdrop of sunlit red and beige rocky hills under a clear blue sky. — *When you get to this cutout in the rock, the turnoff is coming up on your right*

If you're heading toward Page with Kanab behind you, the turnout is just past mile-marker 25 on the right. There’s a little dirt parking lot with enough room for a handful of cars. If you park here and get out of your car and look down below the parking area, you'll see a faded yellow survey marker sign. That's the start of the trail.

Metal sign in rocky landscape reads "Please do not disturb nearby survey marker." Surrounded by trees and red rocks under a clear sky. — *The survey marker sign at the start of the trail*

But, I didn't know to get out of my car there, so we kept driving down the little dirt road for about a tenth of a mile to a dead end and parked. I thought perhaps that survey marker sign was there but didn't see it. I knew the Stacked Cars were right under the highway from a picture I had seen online, so we followed a drainage bed that looked like it took us back to the highway.

Red rock desert landscape with green shrubs and trees, sunny lighting highlights earthy tones. Winding trail leads into the scenic background. — *The little drainage we followed*

When we get to a rock wall, I noticed footprints in the sand and figured we were on the right track. So, we followed them uphill, which brought us back to that little dirt parking area at the turnout. That's also where I saw the faded yellow survey sign that I had missed. We were going in the wrong direction, but now we knew we were at the beginning of the trail and knew what to do.

A man and woman hiking on a red rock trail, smiling. The man wears a black North Face shirt. Clear sky and desert landscape in the background. — *Kylie and I hiking to the stacked cars*

We got our bearings and headed back down, staying next to the red rock wall on our left and returning to the drainage bed. We followed the trail around that rock wall, which started leading us back to Highway 89 above us again. Once you get close to the highway, the trail turns right for a bit... and there they were.

Rusty car wreck in red rock canyon, with graffiti that says "wish". Blue sky above, conveying abandonment in a rugged landscape. — *The first glimpse of the stacked cars*

It was, quite honestly, weird and wonderful. I felt my pace quickened. How often do you see a bunch of stacked cars in a canyon? Aspen and I scrambled down to get right up close while Kylie stayed above, probably questioning my life choices.

A person stands among stacked, colorful wrecked cars against a rocky, canyon-like background. The mood is rugged and adventurous. — *Kylie in the upper left*

The cars? Definitely classics. Even with the highway noise above, the little canyon felt surprisingly quiet. I did a little research earlier on what this place was all about. The stacked cars were part of the highway’s construction and an erosion‑control measure in the 1960's or so. Engineers used a creative idea to stack old, crushed cars in the canyon. They wired the cars together, then built the road embankment over them.

Close-up of a rusted, dismantled car bumper and grille, showing decay and dirt. The background is cluttered and dimly lit, creating an abandoned mood. — *I would love to know the story of each car*

The stack includes classic American cars and trucks from the 1950's, 60's, and 70's. Cars like Impalas, Bel-Airs, Lincolns, Corvairs, and others. It was meant as a way to stabilize the fill dirt and prevent washouts under the road. Ultimately, the stacked cars didn't work, and Highway 89 had to be rebuilt and re-engineered above. It was probably cheaper to just leave the cars in the canyon instead of towing them out. I'm happy they left them there because now it's a pretty neat place to visit.

Close-up of a rusty blue car hood with a chrome detail. The surface is dusty with visible dirt and peeling paint, evoking an aged feel. — *I bet the original owner was proud of the emblem when it was brand new*

We snapped pictures, Aspen sniffed for treats, and I wrote our initials, A, K, A, in the mud on one of the cars. I'm sure it'll be gone with the next rainstorm. Since I love a good prank, I also thought about hiding in or behind one of the cars and absolutely scaring the bananas out of the next unsuspecting explorers. I resisted. Mostly because Kylie's eyerolls are legendary.

Stacked, rusted cars in a desert canyon, painted in faded reds, blues, yellows. Graffiti with "JISK" visible on the wreck. Rugged setting. — *The cars were cabled together for stability and erosion control*

We were soon back at our Jeep and back on the highway. Again, please be careful as you get back onto Highway 89. Cars are moving fast. I think the Stacked Cars (some people also call this spot "Detroit Rip Rap") are worth the visit if you're in the area. The entire hike itself is less than a mile, even if you get turned around like we first did. It's an easy, fun adventure that will leave you smiling and wondering.

Black dog with a red flower on its collar stands on red rocky terrain, looking towards a vintage car wedged between canyon walls. — *Aspen giving the cars one last look to make sure a rabbit wasn't there*

LOCATION: Parking area at Survey Marker

Parking area at end of little dirt road

Stacked Cars

Stacked rusty car parts in red, blue, and green in a junkyard. The scene is chaotic, with visible dirt and pebbles, evoking decay. — *I wonder if you could fix one up and get it on the road again?*

Rusty, graffiti-covered cars piled on red rocks with a sign reading "No passing when oncoming traffic is in either lane" under a clear sky. — *Highway 89 is above*

Rusty metal hub with bolts, surrounded by dirt and stones, set against a worn, earthy background. A cable is visible in the foreground. — *Needs new rotors*

Stacked crushed cars in vivid rust, red, and blue at a scrapyard under a clear blue sky. Rusted metal and frayed ropes visible. — *Good looking car at the top*

The letters "AKA" are etched into a reddish-brown textured surface, creating a rustic and weathered appearance. — *Our initials in the mud on one of the cars*

Dark SUV on a dusty trail in a rocky desert landscape, surrounded by red sandstone formations and sparse greenery under a clear blue sky. — *Where we parked at the end of the little dirt road*

Red rock cliffs under a clear blue sky. Guardrail lines a road at the base, with sparse desert shrubs in the foreground. Tranquil scene. — *The turnoff from Highway 89*

Rocky desert trail with red sand, surrounded by shrubs and grass. A small signpost is visible. Warm sunlight casts shadows. — *The view of the survey sign at the top of the pullout off Highway 89*

Stacked rusty cars against red canyon rocks under a clear blue sky. Graffiti reads "JISH" on a car. Rugged, abandoned atmosphere. — *Not what you usually find in red rock canyons*

Man smiling in front of rusted, stacked cars in a rocky desert setting. He's wearing a black North Face shirt, creating a cheerful mood. — *Worth a visit*

Black dog with a red collar walking on a dirt path in a desert landscape with pink rock and dry bushes under soft sunlight. — *Aspen making sure we were following her on the trail*

Stacked Cars

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