Cosmic Ashtray, Geological formation in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA
The Cosmic Ashtray contains a 33-foot tall central rock formation surrounded by fine orange sand within a natural sandstone bowl formation.
Natural forces of wind and ancient rivers carved this geological structure over thousands of years in the Utah desert landscape.
Photographers and hikers traverse unmarked paths across sandstone terrain to document this natural formation in the remote Utah wilderness.
The 8.3-mile round trip hike requires navigation skills and plenty of water, as no marked trails or facilities exist along the route.
Visitors can descend 20 feet into the formation using carved rock holds to reach the sandy basin at the bottom of the structure.
Location: Utah
GPS coordinates: 37.68294,-111.31590
Latest update: October 24, 2025 17:19
Utah combines natural formations and archaeological sites. The region displays cave paintings, petroglyphs and Pueblo culture remains. The landscape includes salt lakes, sandstone rocks, waterfalls and thermal springs. The area offers hiking trails to remote canyons and geological formations.
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