Wingate Sandstone, Geological formation in Colorado Plateau, United States.
Wingate Sandstone is a rock formation found across the Colorado Plateau in parts of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. It forms tall, nearly vertical cliffs in shades of red and orange that appear throughout many national parks in the region.
The formation was first described scientifically in the late 19th century near Fort Wingate in New Mexico, where it takes its name. It formed during an early geological period when the region was covered by a vast sandy desert.
National parks throughout Utah and Arizona incorporate these sandstone formations into hiking trails, climbing routes, and educational geological programs.
The cliffs are most visible in Utah, especially in Capitol Reef and Canyonlands National Parks where trails run close to the rock walls. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring the area.
The rock layers show two different patterns of ancient wind deposits stacked on top of each other, left from a time when the region sat much closer to the equator. These patterns are visible to the naked eye on the cliff faces.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
