Fantasy Canyon, Sandstone canyon in Uintah County, United States.
Fantasy Canyon spans 10 acres of land containing rock formations shaped by erosion into configurations similar to melted stones and mineral deposits.
Early explorer Earl Douglass documented this geological site in The Columbian Magazine of 1909, referring to it as The Devil's Playground and Hades Pit.
The rock formations within the canyon received names based on their shapes, creating a natural outdoor gallery of mineral sculptures for visitors.
The Bureau of Land Management maintains a 0.6-mile loop trail through the canyon, allowing visitors to examine the geological formations up close.
The sandstone structures contain black ribbons of magnetite along the trail, creating magnetic strips that interact with metal objects.
Location: Uintah County
Elevation above the sea: 1,475 m
Website: https://blm.gov/visit/fantasy-canyon
GPS coordinates: 40.05560,-109.39500
Latest update: May 17, 2025 10:35
Utah preserves thousands of years of human history alongside some of North America's most varied geological landscapes. The region contains extensive rock art panels and Ancestral Pueblo ruins, including the 13th-century stone structures at Bears Ears National Monument and the 650-plus petroglyphs carved into Newspaper Rock over two millennia. Fremont Indian State Park displays more than 1,000 artifacts from the indigenous peoples who inhabited these lands, while fossilized dinosaur tracks near Moab record the passage of Allosaurus and Diplodocus across ancient mudflats 150 million years ago. The natural environment ranges from the sculpted sandstone formations of Goblin Valley, where erosion has created mushroom-shaped rocks rising 20 feet (6 meters) from the desert floor, to the narrow passages of Kanarra Creek Canyon with its red walls and cascading waterfalls. The Wedge Overlook reveals 1,000-foot (300-meter) cliffs above the San Rafael River, while Monroe's thermal springs emerge from the ground at 110°F (43°C). Whether exploring slot canyons, examining ancient handprints on rock walls, or walking among eroded sandstone formations, visitors encounter landscapes that document both geological processes spanning millions of years and the enduring presence of human cultures in this high desert region.
Skinwalker Ranch
47.7 km
Morrison Formation
43.7 km
Desolation Canyon
88.5 km
Red Fleet State Park
58.7 km
Lone Rock
81.5 km
Josie Bassett Morris Ranch Complex
45.2 km
Steinaker State Park
52.7 km
Quarry Visitor Center
43.6 km
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
21.1 km
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
45.7 km
Dinah the Pink Dinosaur
45.7 km
Quarry Exhibit Hall
43.6 km
Rial Chew Ranch Complex
59 km
Big Sand Wash Reservoir
75.7 km
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
45.7 km
Upper Wade and Curtis Cabin
86.8 km
Earl Douglass Workshop-Laboratory
43.6 km
Lewis Curry House
44.7 km
Manfred and Ethel Martin House
46.2 km
St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Lodge
46.1 km
Gibson-Sowards House
51 km
Vernal Tithing Office
45.9 km
Moonshine Arch
57.1 km
Argyle Canyon
86.7 km
Hole in the Wall Canyon
62.2 km
Kenney Reservoir
58.7 km
Cooper Canyon
40.6 km
Fenn-Bullock House
46.3 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes