Fantasy Canyon — Attraction in Vernal

This is worth the hour drive from Vernal. It is in the middle of nowhere though! If it has been storming, I imagine the roads could become too muddy for standard vehicles. There are about 15-20 minutes of dirt road to reach the site, often with loose sand. We did the drive in a regular car, but the road was dry when we went.

This is a geological wonder in its own right. Yes, it is a bit smaller, as you can see it all in about an hour (or less if you move quickly). This was a positive for us, as we were racing daylight.

This is a short, easy hike. The trail is not clearly marked, so there are areas that you may scramble up a trail. I’m not sure if they are technically part of the trail or not. If you don’t feel like doing a light bit of scrambling, you can’t see quite as many formations, but you can still see most of them with very little effort.

I’d recommend packing a lunch to enjoy in the canyon. There’s a picnic table in the parking lot and a bench inside the canyon. A pit toilet is also available in the parking lot. I do not believe it has hand sanitizer, so you might want to bring your own.

The rocks in this area are fragile. Please be respectful and watch where you step and grab, so that others can enjoy this...

Captain’s Log, Stardate: Whenever-Google-Maps-Says.

We’ve ventured to the desolate reaches of Utah, far from civilization, where the only amenities are a pit toilet, thank the Federation, and whatever rations you bring yourself. Provisions are mandatory; replicators not included.

The landscape is… otherworldly. Rock formations rise around us like alien architecture. One almost expects Spock to step out from behind a stone spire and deliver a lecture on geology. Truly, this place feels like we’ve landed on another planet, minus the starship.

Hazards abound. Warning signs alert us to rattlesnakes, and sure enough, one made first contact with our crew. Recommendation: keep children on a short leash, not only to avoid hostile serpents, but also to prevent them from climbing the fragile formations. These rocks are beautiful but delicate, definitely more “look with your eyes” than “climb like a monkey.”

Final assessment: Fantasy Canyon is a stellar destination for those brave enough to seek it out. Bring supplies, stay alert, and enjoy the wonder of walking through what feels like a Star Trek set built by nature itself. Live long, prosper, and maybe pack...

Fantasy Canyon is definitely worth the drive if you are in the Vernal area. If you go, please do what you can to preserve it. It's surprising that it's not a monument, but it probably has something to do with it being managed by the BLM and not the Forest Service or the State. It's not large, but the formations are some of the most intricate (and fragile) in the world. There is a really cool Ute Indian legend about the place.

It's in the middle of a lot of oil and natural gas rigs and a maze of roads winding around to connect them all. If you are going South from Vernal along Glen Bench Rd, make sure you pay attention to signs, the first of which is at the intersection of Glen Bench and Chipeta Grove (to Ouray). The location Google maps took us to was on the South side of the ridge where the formations weren't nearly as intricate and with my young kids and their grandparents, we didn't feel comfortable with scrambling over. I asked Google to correct it, but in the meantime, pay attention...