The Toadstools In Grand Staircase Escalante

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Whether you’re driving around Utah or crossing from one National Park to another you may find yourself traveling by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. If you don’t have time to get to the main lookout you definitely have time to fit in this short, but rewarding hike!

If you’re typically a National Park go-er keep in mind this is not a “park” yet and still in “monument” status so there aren’t the typical amenities. For instance- bathrooms. I recommend you go before you arrive because there aren’t any there! However, there IS a parking lot and a big sign so you can’t miss it!

Now, we went during Winter and there was no one there on a weekday until we were packing our car up after. However, while hiking there was an entire family on their way out, but there was no car parked so I have no clue where they even went. The hike was fairly easy but we went after a rainstorm so there were NO footprints left so finding the trail was a little difficult. Once you hit the trail you need to aim to stay left while walking. Once you get past the part (about 1/4 mile) where the water crosses over the path during rain you’ll start to recognize a true trail. Later you’ll see the toadstools off n the distance and can take your own path really to get to them.

My favorite part of this hike wasn’t really the toadstools. While they’re really neat and just plopped in the middle of the desert, it was nice just to walk through this pure wilderness. Altogether the hike took about an hour and a half and we stopped multiple times to look at stuff and got a wee bit lost at first. I totally recommend it!