A compact wonderland of hoodoos, domes, and small arches — including photogenic Metate Arch — about 12 miles down Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante. There are no formal trails; visitors wander freely among formations that feel custom-built for kids and photographers.
| Category | Point of Interest |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Escalante |
| Top activities | Free-form wandering among hoodoos, Photographing Metate Arch, Easy scrambling for kids, Picnicking at the shaded tables |
| Best time to visit | Spring and fall; golden hour transforms Metate Arch. Summer visits are best very early or at sunset. |
| Entrance fee | Free |
| Permits | None. 12 miles of graded gravel washboard (Hole-in-the-Rock Road) — passable to passenger cars in dry weather, avoid when wet. |
Visitor tip: The 12 miles of Hole-in-the-Rock Road to the turnoff are washboard gravel — fine for most cars when dry, miserable when wet. Go for the last hour of daylight when the sandstone turns gold.
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