White Rocks Hoodoos
Exploring a new place—especially one that feels like a hidden treasure in a spectacular landscape—is my favorite way to spend the day. The White Rocks Hoodoos outside Big Water, Utah delivered exactly that kind of discovery. This quiet hoodoo playground invites wandering, climbing, and a bit of childlike curiosity as you explore its soft pastel formations.
A short drive down a three-mile dirt road leads to the start of a surprisingly scenic outing. From there, about a 45-minute walk across firm, packed clay brings you into a maze of little crevices, narrow slots, and clusters of mainly white hoodoos with touches of soft pastel color. The terrain is easy to wander through, making this a wonderful place for a solo awe-venture or a relaxed day of exploration where you can simply follow your curiosity among the formations.
For those looking for more adventure, the White Rocks Hoodoo Loop adds a more technical route with scrambling and a few steep sections. The loop is rated difficult, and when traveling clockwise there is an approximately eight-foot wall that must be down-climbed. It didn’t look terribly difficult, especially with a partner, but hiking solo I chose to explore the area as a series of out-and-backs instead. One section of the loop enters a beautiful narrow canyon with sheer rock walls—my favorite kind of landscape—but I turned around at the climb since I didn’t want to tackle it alone. If your time is limited, I recommend simply heading out to the main hoodoo formations described above and spending your time wandering and playing among the rocks.
Don’t miss
Once you reach the hoodoo area, take time to explore the small side crevices and miniature slots tucked between the formations. The landscape invites you to climb, weave through narrow passages, and simply enjoy the strange beauty of this otherworldly place.
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A short walk across open badlands leads to a whimsical landscape of white hoodoos, tiny slots, and sculpted formations that invite exploration and a little playful curiosity.
Awe Rating (1-5):
3.5
Length:
5-8 miles
Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail Type:
Out & Back
Time Needed:
Half Day
Highlights:
Adventure
Landscape:
Slickrock, Hoodoos
Solitude Potential:
High
Trailhead Access:
Dirt Road
Special Considerations, Best Season to Hike:
Fragile cryptobiotic soil covers much of the area. Stay in sandy washes, small drainages, or right along rock edges whenever possible to avoid damaging this living soil.
Things to Know
• Accessed via a 3-mile dirt road outside Big Water that is usually passable for most vehicles in dry conditions.
• The route to the main hoodoos is an easy wander across firm clay, but navigation is informal and there is no marked trail.
• The White Rocks Hoodoo Loop adds scrambling, steep sections, and an 8-foot downclimb if done clockwise.
• Easy to turn this into a short exploratory outing or a longer adventure depending on how much of the area you explore.
• Best explored in cooler months or early in the day as there is little shade.
More to Explore
There are lots of great areas to explore nearby. For another fantastic hoodoo landscape with easier access, be sure to visit Toadstool Hoodoos. If you are feeling adventurous and seeking a very photogenic location, go to Stud Horse Point and Skylight Arch. Meanwhile a short drive out close by, otherworldly Smoky Mountain Road leads to the visually arresting Wiregrass Canyon.
The adjacent Vermillion Cliffs also boast several world-class destinations including The Wave, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, Edmaier's Secret and White Pocket.
Scenes Along the Trail
