How to Hike the Family-Friendly Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, Utah
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 01 Jun 2025
Are you are looking for a hike that ticks off all the typical southern Utah characteristics, but with minimal effort? Well, the Toadstool Hoodoos trail has you covered – plus it’s perfect for families and dogs. Read on for everything you need to plan a trip.
The Paria Toadstool Hoodoos Trail (sometimes just called Toadstool Hoodoos), in Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument, is a rare find.
Featuring breathtaking views and bizarre formations, all set on a Mars-like backdrop, the walk showcases dramatic vistas, all while being one of the finest options in the region for a short, easy-going excursion with a very accessible trailhead.
Considering the average difficulty of many scenic hikes in southern Utah, it packs a real punch for very little work!
IN THIS GUIDE //
How to Hike to the Toadstool Hoodoos, Utah
WHAT ARE HOODOOS?
WHERE ARE THE TOADSTOOL HOODOOS?
TOADSTOOL HOODOOS – MAP
TOADSTOOL HOODOOS TRAILHEAD
BEST PLACES TO STAY
THINGS TO KNOW FOR THE HIKE
BEST TIME TO HIKE THE TOADSTOOL HOODOOS TRAIL
ARE THE TOADSTOOL HOODOOS LIKE BRYCE CANYON?
ARE THE TOADSTOOLS WORTH VISITING?
OTHER THINGS TO DO NEARBY
– AROUND KANAB
– AROUND PAGE
FINAL THOUGHTS
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What are the Toadstool Hoodoos?
A hoodoo is a type of weathered rock typically found in deserts, formed into a kind of spire or column shape. Often, the tops are larger than the base, generating this impression of a mushroom or toadstool.
In this hike, the hoodoos consist of two varieties of sandstone. The lower layer, made from Entrada sandstone, erodes faster than the upper layer which is made from Dakota sandstone. Over years of erosion, this results in a larger, more intact rock portion on the top of a slim pillar, creating these slightly unbalanced looking structures.
The name ‘hoodoo’ is derived from Hoodoo Spirituality. This originated from traditional African religions, introduced to the United States by enslaved Africans where the term is now widely used. It is believed to have originated from the word Voodoo; a term from languages in Benin and Ghana that refer to divinity.
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How to get to the Toadstool Hoodoos
The Toadstool Hoodoos Trail is in the southern section of the enormous Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah, in a region called The Rimrocks.
The trailhead is centrally positioned between Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona (45 and 30 miles away respectively), directly off the paved Highway 89 running between the two towns. You’ll need a car to reach it.
For more awesome things to do in the area, check out some of our related posts:
⬩ 17 Magical Things to Do in Page, Arizona
⬩ Explore Escalante – 17 Exhilarating Experiences
⬩ The Best Adventures in Kanab, Utah
TOADSTOOL HOODOOS TRAIL – QUICK FACTS
PERMITS – not required
FEES – no
PARKING – no charge, two-wheel drive friendly
ELEVATION CHANGE – 100 feet
BEST SEASON – Mar-May, Sep-Nov
HIKE LENGTH – 1.6 mile round trip, 2 hours
LOCATION – Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
TYPE OF TOADSTOOL – various sandstone, non-edible
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NEARBY | EXPLORE THE KANAB SAND CAVES
Toadstool Hoodoos Hike – A Map
Below is a Google Map of the Toadstool Hoodoos Trail and relevant surrounding landmarks mentioned in this post.
◊ Green is the Hoodoos trail.
◊ Blue are things to do around Kanab.
◊ Orange are things to do around Page.
◊ Yellow are recommended hotels.
To view these sections, select the icon in the top left of the map.
To save the map, click the star next to the title.
Hike Trailhead and Parking
The Toadstool Hoodoos trailhead is directly off Highway 89, the main road that runs between Kanab and Page in southern Utah. Most visitors are likely to drive this road on a southern Utah road trip but tend to bypass this hike (it is especially easy to miss if you are driving from the Kanab direction).
Car park | the car park shows up clearly and correctly on Google Maps – search for ‘Toadstool Hoodoos Trailhead’ for the exact location. It is moderately sized (room for around 20-30 cars), unpaved, but safe for two-wheel drive, low clearance vehicles.
On our most recent visit at midday in October, the car park was maybe half full. We’ve seen this car park full quite a few times when passing by though, so we wouldn’t recommend rocking up in the middle of the day, especially on a weekend.
There are no parking or hiking fees and several slightly yukky portable toilets (bring your own toilet roll). There is also a sign-in book and some trail information. If you arrive on a weekend afternoon it can get full, especially if people are not considerate with parking.
If you are less keen on the portable toilets (they have never been in a great state when we visited), the visitor center at Big Water just outside Page has bathrooms available (and some cool dinosaur skulls!).
WHERE TO STAY NEAR THE TOADSTOOL HOODOOS
The best places to stay for the toadstool hoodoos is either Page or Kanab. Both have high quality accommodation options, plus a great range of restaurants and markets. Depending on the direction you are travelling, either would be a fantastic choice for your road trip lodging. Gas is available in both towns.
Page is slightly larger and more modern, with many branded hotels, shops, fast food and even a Walmart. Kanab is smaller, quainter and has a wonderful old town wild west main street. The scenery surrounding both areas is superb, and we honestly love staying in both towns. Kanab does have one of my favourite dining options in the whole of Utah – Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen.
We have previously stayed in and would recommend:
Kanab:
Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile ($$) – this is our favourite place to stay in Kanab (and we’ve stayed in pretty much all the hotels there). It’s part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and is incredibly pet friendly (they have a pet spa!), have a great vegan breakfast and some of the nicest rooms in town. Fully recommend.
Red Canyon Cabins ($) – this cute place is another of our favourites. Located just on the edge of town, it consists well-equipped, individual red huts, with laundry and parking right outside. We love it and it’s often got the best price to quality ratio in Kanab.
Page:
Holiday Inn Express and Suites ($$) – okay, we don’t usual recommend expensive chain hotels, but if you are looking for something central in Page that isn’t awful, then this are the best option. We’ve stayed in most motels in the area over the years (from really crappy to excellent) and this one is the best when comparing price to room quality.
Under Canvas Lake Powell ($$$) – this one is fun! It’s the ultimate in glamping, with a luxury tent set up in the countryside outside Page. One thing to note is that it’s a little uncomfortable in Summer because they do not have airconditioning, and Page gets flaming hot.
Camping:
For toadstool hoodoos camping, again both Page and Kanab have decent choices, including dispersed camping. Lone Rock Beach camping (near Page) is pretty cool although depending on your equipment it can be quite difficult to set up in sand (especially problematic for a non-freestanding tent). Wahweap Marina has a nice, well-equipped, developed campground with lovely views.
There is also a lot of free BLM camping around, plus a very close first-come, first serve campground at Whitehouse, nearly opposite the Toadstool Hoodoos trailhead. This is our pick for camping in the area.
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NEARBY | THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN PAGE, AZ
Things to Know About the Toadstool Hoodoos Hike
Useful Trail Information
The Toadstool Hoodoos trail is easy but meandering – with various winding paths following small washes between the huge, surrounding stripey rocks. Often sections of the path are sandy, but it’s never for very long before solid ground reappears, plus the sand isn’t super deep. Along the way, we didn’t see many signs marking the correct direction, but the route is very well worn and easy to follow. I don’t think you could get lost.
Length | the hike to the Paria Toadstool Hoodoos is relatively easy, with an elevation change of less than 200 feet and a one-way distance of about 0.8 miles into the area.
The path | itself is sandy and exposed, mostly obvious and can be muddy and slippery when wet. Despite being rated as easy, this is definitely not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs – a lot of the path is uneven, rugged, and follows a wash.
Time | although the length of the Toadstools Hoodoos trail is an easy 1.6 miles round trip, you could easily walk 3-4 miles while exploring the surrounding area. Head towards the back wall on the left for more toadstools and extra areas to explore.
Footwear | we wore trailrunner shoes which were perfectly adequate for this easy hike when there’s no rain – zero need for boots or hiking poles. Hiking sandals would also be okay, like Chacos or Tevas. It’s not hard going – just a little uneven.
Families and Dogs
Dogs | the Toadstool Hoodoos trail is dog friendly; the few times I have hiked this route there have always been a several dogs – be careful in the summer heat, though! Your dog must be kept on a leash – especially since some other visitors (including children) are uncomfortable around dogs.
Kids | this is a great hike for kids, as it is easy and not too long (plus very entertaining!). However, I personally would exercise caution with very young children; partly due to the potential extremes in weather but also a few cliff edges towards to west of the area.
Fees
◊ Currently, in 2025, there is no fee to hike or park at the Toadstool Hoodoos Trail.
Other Things to Know
◊ If you want some extra excitement, there are sections with a bit of scrambling and minor climbing depending on how much you want to explore. The area offers every type of adventurer something to be enthusiastic about! Make sure you don’t climb on the hoodoos, though.
◊ We had no cell reception anywhere along the Toadstool Hoodoos hike. Ensure you download any maps before you leave.
◊ Please do not climb the hoodoos. They are formed from many years of erosion and can be quite delicate.
Best Time to Hike the Toadstool Hoodoos Trail
The best time to hike the Toadstool Hoodoos trail is in the spring and fall seasons between April-May and September-November. These months have the best chance for comfortable weather. Avoid weekends (especially afternoons) during this time of year if you have a choice – it can get busy.
Summer | the route has basically no shade, even when you reach the toadstool hoodoo area, so hike early in the mornings during summer. Take a hat, sunblock, several liters of water and some salty snacks. Another risk during the summer months are the monsoon rains. These can make the paths extremely slippery and there can be floodwaters running along the washes. Also note that even during summer, the nights after sundown can be quite cool.
Winter | the paths can be covered in snow making it difficult to see the route, although the scenery is quite beautiful during this time. Take a torch is there is a risk of being there after the sun sets.
Are the Toadstool Hoodoos like Bryce Canyon?
There aren’t loads of toadstool hoodoos on this hike, like in Bryce Canyon or Goblin Valley – it’s more like sporadic hoodoos rather than fields of them. Plus, these rock formations are more like mushrooms than the spires of Bryce and less weird and melty than at Goblin Valley.
But, to be honest, they weren’t the highlight for me anyway. The surrounding scenery is pretty fantastic, where the bright white rock contrasts with deep red sandstone. The vistas here are absolutely smashing and it takes no effort to reach.
Are the Toadstool Hoodoos Worth Visiting?
Yes, the Toadstools are worth an hour or two of your time!
The trail is free, easy, distinctive and on the way between two major hubs of a southern Utah road trip – what’s not to love!?
I would say that if you are after adrenaline-fueled hikes that challenge you, take you to dizzying heights and make you ache, then this is not the one. It’s also not ideal if you are looking to be complete alone on the trail (although if you visit early this is entirely possible).
Things to do Nearby the Toadstool Hoodoos
The area surrounding the Toadstool Hoodoos is absolutely packed with things to do. It’s really worth dedicating a few days to the area if you can.
Depending on whether you stay at Page or Kanab (we suggest staying in both), your choices might vary a little. The following is a very quick (non-exhaustive) list of things surrounding both towns (most can be accessed from either place).
Note | an America the Beautiful pass or a Glen Canyon National Recreation Area pass is needed for many of the activities in and around Page.
There are so many more things to do; below is just a brief list of some activities in the area. You could spend several weeks here and still not see everything. Have a read of our dedicated guides for Kanab and Page. There is also the option of exploring more of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument by heading north towards Escalante on Scenic Byway 12, past Bryce Canyon National Park. Check out our guide for more things to do around Escalante.
Around Kanab
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park | a bright orange desert full of dunes, perfect for sand boarding and dune buggies (very windy though – take a buff).
Belly of the Dragon | a strange little wander through an abandoned man-made cave. This one is worthwhile if you’re on your way to Zion.
Kanab Sand Caves (Moqui Caverns) | caves, cut in to the soft sandstone cliffs. The photogenic Kanab Sand Caves is free to enter and easy to reach.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary | a popular sanctuary for rescued animals, reservations essential. Check out their motel in Kanab too – it’s one of the loveliest options.
The Wave | the most elusive and difficult hike of them all! Apply for an almost impossible-to-get permit online. High-clearance vehicle recommended to reach the trailhead.
Wirepass and Buckskin Gulch | the holy grail of hikes in the region. Buckskin Gulch, said to be the longest slot canyon in the world, provides a mildly challenging and epically scenic hike – yet surprisingly overlooked by many tourists. High-clearance vehicle recommended to reach the trailhead. For more information, check out our favourite Utah slot canyons.
Around Page
Horseshoe Bend | the famous view. Parking is now $10 and there is a 0.75 mile exposed hike through sand. It gets kind of busy nowadays, be prepared! Consider kayaking around it instead.
Antelope Canyon or Canyon X | the famous slot canyons around Page are on most people’s to-do list. Canyon X is the cheapest; Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are the busiest. All visits need to be part of a tour. For more inspiration, check out our list of Utah’s best slot canyons.
Paddle, boat or Kayak Lake Powell | consider kayaking to the back entrance of Antelope Canyon or Antelope Island. We recommend Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks.
Lees Ferry | see the beginning of the epic Grand Canyon! Consider hiking Cathedral Wash or the Spencer Trail and check out the Historic Navajo Bridge. This area is underrated in my option and one of my favourite places.
Drive Cottonwood Canyon Road | this is a scenic dirt road that takes you from (nearly) next to Toadstool Hoodoos all the way to the entrance of Kodachrome Basin State Park. There are arches, campgrounds and excellent hikes all the way along. We highly recommend.
Final Thoughts
The Toadstool Hoodoos is a simple hike that feels a million miles away – some recount it as being on another planet!
This description, although apt for the Toadstool Hoodoos, describes so much of southern Utah and Northern Arizona. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty and this hike is an excellent example of that.
The Toadstool Hoodoos is perfect if you have little time in your schedule, cannot walk too far, or have kids. It’s also a great choice if you are on a road trip passing through between the two major towns of Kanab and Page (the drive is beautiful anyway).
We hope you have a wonderful hike!
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