Natural monuments in Utah: archaeological sites, rock formations, thermal springs

These ruins contain 13th-century stone structures built by the Ancestral Pueblo people. The site is located within Bears Ears National Monument and displays the construction methods and settlement patterns of the period. The reddish rocks of the surrounding landscape create a warm contrast with the preserved walls, producing distinctive color effects under direct sunlight. The structures occupy a remote area of the monument and document the prehistoric occupation of the region.

This gray sandstone area covers 10 acres (4 hectares) in Uintah County. Erosion has carved various shapes into the rock formations over millions of years. The canyon displays geological structures formed by wind and water. The sandstone layers reveal the region's geological history and complement Utah's natural monuments, which include rock paintings, petroglyphs, and remains of Pueblo culture.

This desert art installation consists of four concrete tubes, each measuring 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length. The tubes are positioned to capture sunlight at sunrise and sunset. The work complements Utah's collection of natural formations and archaeological sites by adding a contemporary element to the Great Basin landscape.

The Monroe Hot Springs are a historic thermal facility dating from the 19th century. The mineral water reaches a temperature of 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius). The facility features bathtubs from the founding period and is located in a region known for its geological formations and archaeological sites.

The Vallée des Goblins is located within Goblin Valley State Park and features sandstone formations that resemble figures. These geological structures rise up to 20 feet (6 meters) from the desert floor and formed through erosion over millions of years. The area is part of the San Rafael Desert and provides access to these unusual rock formations, which are characterized by their mushroom-shaped forms. The formation represents one of the park's characteristic geological features.

The Wedge Overlook provides views of the San Rafael River flowing 1,000 feet (300 meters) below through red sandstone formations. This viewpoint at San Rafael Swell connects natural geological structures with the archaeological significance of the region, which includes rock art and Pueblo culture remnants. The cliffs reveal various layers of sandstone shaped by wind and water over millions of years.

Kanarra Creek Canyon is a narrow gorge with red sandstone walls through which a stream flows. The water forms two waterfalls, each 13 feet (4 meters) high. This canyon lies within Utah's geologically diverse region and displays the sandstone formations typical of the area. The streambed winds through tight passages between the rock walls.

This rock wall along Potash Road preserves 150 million year old footprints from Allosaurus and Diplodocus dinosaurs. The fossilized tracks appear on a sandstone surface near Moab and document the movement of these dinosaurs during the Jurassic period. The site sits roadside and provides direct access to the paleontological remains, which are part of the Morrison Formation and offer insight into the prehistoric fauna of the region.

The Fremont Indian State Park and Museum preserves one of the largest collections of Fremont artifacts in the region. The park protects rock art sites featuring petroglyphs and pictographs created by the Fremont people between 700 and 1300 AD. The museum displays over 1000 archaeological objects including tools, pottery, and basketry. The site extends along Interstate 70 in Sevier County and offers hiking trails to several rock art panels. The exhibits document the agricultural practices and daily life of the Fremont culture.

This sandstone rock in Bears Ears National Monument bears more than 650 petroglyphs documenting over 2,000 years of history. The rock art was created by cultures of the region and shows human figures, animals, and geometric patterns. The dark sandstone provides the background for these archaeological records, offering insight into the prehistoric societies of the Colorado Plateau. The rock is part of a larger area containing cultural sites from Pueblo cultures and their predecessors.

The Hell's Backbone Bridge was built in 1933 and spans 108 feet (33 meters) at a height of 1,500 feet (457 meters) above the canyon floor. This wooden structure connects steep rock walls and provides access to remote areas of the region. The bridge forms part of a historic route through the sandstone formations of the area and offers views of the surrounding canyons and geological structures of Utah.

These rock carvings in Snow Canyon State Park were created by the Anasazi and Paiute tribes between 300 and 1100 AD. The petroglyphs were etched into dark basalt rocks and depict geometric patterns, human figures, and animal representations. The images document the spiritual beliefs and daily life of the prehistoric inhabitants of this area. The rock art is located along several trails that pass through volcanic terrain and red sandstone formations.

This state park contains sand dunes extending across 3,700 acres (1,500 hectares), formed by erosion of Navajo sandstone. The grains display red and pink hues due to iron oxide. The area is part of a Utah region combining natural formations and archaeological sites, including rock paintings, petroglyphs, and remnants of Pueblo culture. The landscape includes salt lakes, sandstone rocks, waterfalls, and hot springs, with trails leading to remote canyons and geological formations.

The Toadstool Hoodoos in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are natural rock formations with balanced capstones created through differential erosion. Dakota sandstone erodes faster than the harder rocks above, resulting in mushroom-shaped structures with broad caps atop narrow stems. These geological features are located in the Paria Rimrocks and demonstrate the varying weathering rates of different rock layers. The hoodoos are part of the monument's diverse rock landscape and provide insights into the region's geological processes.

This 1,500-foot earthwork extends from the shore of the Great Salt Lake into the water, forming a spiral formation. Created in 1970, the structure consists of black basalt rock sourced from the surrounding area. The spiral rotates counterclockwise and remains visible from shore, though its visibility depends on the lake's water levels. The artwork integrates into a landscape of salt deposits, sediments, and rock formations.

Cosmic Ashtray is a geological formation in Garfield County measuring 200 feet (60 meters) deep and 300 feet (90 meters) in diameter. The basin contains black sand and displays walls of orange Navajo sandstone. This natural structure belongs to the numerous sandstone formations in Utah shaped by geological processes over millions of years. The formation is located in a remote area and forms part of the diverse landscape that includes natural structures alongside archaeological sites from the Pueblo culture.

The Red Canyon road tunnels are two 79-foot (24 meter) long tunnels carved through red sandstone in 1929. These tunnels connect sections of Scenic Route 12 and allow passage through the canyon's geological formations. The tunnels represent a historical example of road construction in Utah's sandstone landscapes and provide access to the region's natural structures.

Moonshine Arch is a natural sandstone formation near Vernal that stands 85 feet (26 meters) tall with a span of 131 feet (40 meters). This geological structure formed through wind and water erosion over millions of years and displays the sandstone formations typical of Utah. A 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) trail leads from the trailhead to the formation, with the path crossing desert terrain featuring juniper trees and sagebrush. The arch sits in a region known for its numerous natural arches and geological formations, forming part of the larger Colorado Plateau landscape.

The salt flat covers 100 square miles (260 square kilometers) and formed through the evaporation of a prehistoric lake. The surface consists of sodium chloride and provides a level, white expanse used for speed record attempts. The area displays the geological remnants of Lake Bonneville, which once covered much of present-day Utah.

Maple Canyon contains conglomerate rock from the Cretaceous period. The walls are composed of cemented pebbles and offer 140 climbing routes.

This 40-mile (64-kilometer) canyon contains over 1000 documented rock art panels from the Fremont culture dating from 300 to 1300 CE. The petroglyphs and pictographs depict hunting scenes, anthropomorphic figures, and geometric patterns. Nine Mile Canyon provides access to prehistoric dwellings and granaries built into the rock walls. The canyon combines natural sandstone formations with archaeological evidence of the Fremont culture in Utah.

The museum displays a collection of Anasazi artifacts from the Utah region, including pottery, tools, and textiles. The site features a restored 12th-century kiva that provides insight into the ceremonial practices of the Pueblo culture. The museum documents the archaeological history of the Four Corners region and presents findings from nearby excavation sites.

The Swasey Cabin was built in 1921 and served as shelter for cattle ranchers in the San Rafael Desert. The wooden structure sits at 4900 feet (1500 meters) elevation and illustrates the historical cattle ranching operations in this part of Utah. The cabin stands in an area of sandstone formations and documents the working conditions of ranchers in the early 20th century. The structure is located in a region that also features petroglyphs and Pueblo culture remnants.

Goosenecks State Park is located in southern Utah, where the San Juan River has carved more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) into the rock formations. These geological structures demonstrate the erosive power of water through three consecutive river loops that have cut through the bedrock. The park provides overlooks of the canyon and the winding waterways, which are part of Utah's archaeological and natural landscape.

Upper Calf Creek Falls is a 88-foot (27-meter) waterfall that cascades over red sandstone into a natural pool. The waterfall is located in Calf Creek Canyon and is accessed by a hiking trail that passes through the desert landscape of southern Utah. The area features typical sandstone formations of the region and provides access to a natural pool at the base of the falls.

Fifth Water Hot Springs are natural thermal pools in the Uinta National Forest that contain mineral-rich water with temperatures between 100 and 109 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 43 degrees Celsius). These springs are located in a forested area and are accessible via a hiking trail. The thermal water emerges from underground and forms several pools of different sizes. The springs are part of Utah's geological features and complement the region's archaeological sites and natural formations. Access is via a trail that follows a creek.

Upheaval Dome is a 5-mile (3-mile) wide crater in Canyonlands National Park featuring concentric rock rings. The formation resulted from either a meteorite impact or underground salt movements. The geological structure displays multiple layers of deformed sandstone pushed upward from the crater interior. This site represents one of Utah's geological features and contributes to the region's archaeological and natural landscape.

These falls in the Uinta Mountains descend 40 feet (12 meters) over granite rocks and are surrounded by pine forests. Singletree Falls presents a characteristic element of Utah's mountain landscape, where water flows through geological formations typical of this elevation. The falls are part of the natural and archaeological heritage of the region, which was marked by the presence of Pueblo culture.

The Moki Dugway is a dirt mountain road that descends from Cedar Mesa, dropping 1,180 feet (360 meters) in elevation. The route extends for 3 miles (5 kilometers) through sandstone formations and provides access to geological layers characteristic of the region. The road was originally constructed for uranium mining and passes through a landscape of red rock formations that reveal the geological history of the area. The path connects the high plateau with the Valley of the Gods and allows observation of the stratification of various sandstone formations.

Lower Calf Creek Falls is a 130-foot (40-meter) waterfall in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A 3-mile (5-kilometer) trail through the canyon leads to the falls. The path follows Calf Creek and passes rock art panels and sandstone formations. The pool at the base of the falls is fed by the creek.

Hidden Peak in Snowbird rises to 11000 feet (3350 meters) and provides views across the Wasatch Range and Salt Lake Valley. This summit lies in northern Utah and can be reached through hiking trails or the Snowbird aerial tram. The mountain area shows alpine vegetation and rock formations of metamorphic and igneous origin. During winter months, the location serves as a ski area with steep descents. The surroundings document the geological formation of the Wasatch mountain chain through tectonic activity. The peak allows observation of the surrounding mountain terrain and valley basin.

Gilgal Sculpture Garden is a municipal park in Salt Lake City displaying 12 original stone sculptures and over 70 inscribed stones. Created between 1945 and 1963 by Thomas Battersby Child, the collection combines religious themes with personal visions and represents a distinctive form of American folk art. The garden documents the creative expression of a Mormon bishop who transformed his property into a spiritual artwork. The sculptures include biblical figures and symbolic representations, while the engraved stones carry quotations from religious texts.