devil's garden

One of the stops along the Hole In the Rock road this pull off gives you parking, picnic tables and a place to go to the bathroom and a short walk to awesome formations.A great spot for the family especially for kids who would to explore.

There are many attractions along or off of Hole-in-the-rock road. This probably isn't the most spectacular but it is excellent and when you factor in it is easy to find and you can park and stroll to the formations (and won't get lost in the relatively small/confined area) it is highly recommended and appropriate for all ages assuming no major mobility issues. I have been twice, the first time driving a Saab convertible (possible but not ideal), the second time a Grand Cherokee. Unless there has been significant recent rain you probably don't need 4X4 (or even high clearance) but you have to consider whether or not the suspension on your passenger car should be taking that abuse, the road is not paved. the turn is clearly marked and the formations are right next to the parking (facilities are also available and were clean). There is also a few picnic tables. I do recommend you stop in at a local business to inquire about road conditions prior to the making the trip (see other reviews for business recommendations) but if not the worst that can happen in you may decide to turn back and I don't think the chance is high there will be an issue. A normal "hike" at a slow pace should take under an hour - not really a hike this is walking around areas close to parking which is where most interesting things are. You should consider longer if your plan is to take a lot of pictures and my guess is late afternoon, sunset, and the "blue hour" would be best for photography. I have seen some people do star trail photography so if you are comfortable with night photography this would be a great place (having a companion is recommended for any night outing). Both times I went alone (common for me) and had no safety concerns. I do hear that past this point on the road higher clearance and a more rugged vehicle is recommended (more and more so the further you go) so if you plan to continue on down the road I suggest you do your research.

This awesome area awaits after a short 12.5 mile drive out Hole in the Rock road. Even a low clearance car can go this distance for you. The area has unique formations concentrated in the area and you can walk around as we as on them. There's even picnic tables and a few grills there too. We walked way out and down the wash when we were there earlier this month but we were very fortunate to visit during the warm weather and no crowds. Highly recommended you don't pass this spot by.

Super rock formations on the way to the slot canyons. Thousands of small flies to welcome you, but it's worth it.

give yourself time and keep going around the corner. Picnic tables , parking, and wonderful photgraphy.

DEVIL’S GARDEN-GRAND STAIRCASE- ESCALATE NATIONAL MONUMENT (UTAH’S HIDDEN BYWAYS VIII) There is one additional place that I would like to discuss in The Grand Staircase-Escalate National Monument called The Devil’s Garden Wilderness Study Area. This small, but highly photogenic area, was not covered in my Utah’s Hidden Byways submissions I and VII. I like to hook this on to the GROSVENOR ARCH trip, which can be done in one day. The Devil’s Garden Wilderness Study segment is an extraordinary area of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, featuring a beautiful arch (i.e. METATE ARCH), as well as hoodoos of exceptional shapes and colors. This area is not that difficult to drive to as long as simple precautions are observed. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRIP IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS. THE HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK-ROAD CAN GET VERY MUDDY AND QUITE SLICK. IN ADDITION, USE A VEHICLE WITH SOME HIGH CLEARANCE, SUCH AS AN SUV OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE JEEP TYPE. I AM NOT KIDDING!!! FURTHERMORE, BRING WATER, FOOD, AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND YOUESELF. A GOOD AREA MAP IS ESSENTIAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS MINOR EXPEDITION. If we begin at The Best Western Ruby’s Inn near Bryce Canyon National Park in the MORNING, we will make a LEFT and proceed down UTAH SR63N to the junction with UTAH SR12E. We will make a RIGHT at the junction and head toward Tropic, Utah. About three miles in, you will go over a small bridge, with a dirt parking area on your right. This is the Mossy Cave Trail of Bryce Canyon. Take some time to enjoy, and photograph, this delightful area. Morning Light is best here for photography. If we continue on SR12E, we will go through the ranch/farming towns of Tropic and Henriville, Utah, continuing on to the town of Escalante, Utah. You will have driven a total of 42 miles from the intersection of Utah SR63N and Utah SR12E. The road is excellent, and you pass through some farming/ranch country. Escalante, Utah has the BLM, NPS, USFS Interagency Visitors Center/Ranger Station for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (on right), which is a full facility site and a source of information. The un-paved section of the Hole-in-the-Wall-Road (BLM No. 200) lies within the jurisdiction of this National Monument, so I would suggest obtaining a map and asking the rangers about road conditions. There are also excellent rest room facilities here. Since it may be a long time between rest room stops, I would suggest that they be used. You will continue on Utah SR12E, making a right when leaving the Visitor’s center, and proceed five to seven (5-7) miles, looking to your RIGHT for the signed cutoff to the Hole-in-the-Wall-Road (BLM No. 200), which was an old Mormon route to the Colorado River. Make your right turn at this point and drive the un-paved, dusty, washboard-like road for 10 to 12 miles, keeping your speed below 30 mph (i.e. 50 kph). You will be paralleling the Fifty-mile Bench on your right horizon. Be sure to give any ranch vehicles, and livestock, the right of way. Your turnoff for Devil’s Garden will be on your RIGHT SIDE. After making the right turn at the sign, an additional one mile of driving will bring you to the parking area. Devil’s Garden is a wonderful place, with various social trails meandering through the area. These social trails allow you the opportunity to wander through the various geologic features, including METATE ARCH. This arch is not one of the giants, but is easily approached for an up-close inspection. The rock formations and Hoodoos in this area are interesting insofar as they change their appearance, depending on the viewing angle and lighting. There is also a picnic area in Devil’s Garden, with built in barbecue pits. Take plenty of pictures in this area, as well as some quality time. DO NOT DEFACE THE ARCH OR ITS SURROUNDINGS. YOU ARE ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, AND IT IS AGAINST THE LAW. LEAVE IT THE WAY NATURE INTENDED IT TO BE LEFT! When you leave Devil’s Garden, you can make a LEFT back onto the Hole-in-the-Wall-Road (BLM No. 200), or a right and explore the Hole-In-The-Rock, where the Mormon pioneers lowered their wagons in order to cross the Colorado River. This involves 30-40 additional miles of hard driving each way, with the road getting progressively worst, terminating with an overlook of Lake Powell. I would not recommend this ‘side’ trip. My recommendation is to make the LEFT onto the Hole-in-the-Wall-Road (BLM No. 200) and proceed back to Utah SR12. You can return to the Bryce Canyon National Park area with a left onto Utah SR12W. If you make a right onto Utah SR12E-N, you will be heading for Boulder, Utah, the Burr Trail, Dixie National Forest, and Capitol Reef National Park.Enjoy the trip and be safe. ALASKASEEKER (B.I.N.)

feels out of place. Didn't expect to find these "structures" here. well worth walking around and checking out as many as you can. Count on at least an hour to see them. early morning or afternoon are best for photos.

On our way back from the slot canyons we almost passed without stopping as we were so tired but after a lot of persuading my wife turned in. Lucky we did, this area is very picturesque - evidenced by the multitude of photographers. A great spot for a picnic!

This Road is an Adventure Filled Road! Many stops, short hikes. If you don't mind the dirt road, it's worth it. The 12.5 Mile dirt road took me exactly 39 minutes in my very low to the ground Hybrid in fall on a bone dry road, and I was driving VERY slow. So that is the absolute maximum time it would take you. Mostly 20-25 MPH, some spots I did have to go 3 MPH (yes, that slow!) However, look at all of these pictures I took within a 1 minute walk of the car! So worth it. This is a part of GuideToTheWest.com Red loop trip, which is a 1 week road trip seeing all the beauty in the 4 State area. Free downloadable GPS sites, etc. Also, if you are on this road and don't mind an easy hike, see Zebra Slot Canyon. That's 4.5 miles back on this road (meaning, if you are at Devils Garden, you already passed the parking area, it's by the fence). I stayed here all night taking pictures of the stars as this is a zero light pollution area. If you want to see the Milky Way, pick a moonlness light and enjoy it here.

I was just here for the third time and I'm never let down. Take your camera and your imagination and stroll around. Access is off Hole in the Rock Rd and most any vehicle can make the drive. Plan on at least an hour to see most of it, maybe more if you like to take a lot of photos.

If your car can survive the road to get here, it's well worth it. The rock formations are gorgeous and you get to walk on/in/among them, which I love, plus, it's dog friendly. Bring water and a camera so you can hang out and watch how the rock color changes with the changing light, and plan on getting a little dirty, so you can scramble on the formations and hike down among them. Loved every minute of my time here.

Very unusual rock formations. You can climb some of them. It is easily accessible from the road and doesn't take any hiking to reach.

Devils Garden is an area of unique sculpted rock formations - a perfect place to let the kids run around & explore or pull out a picnic lunch!Located 12 miles down the Hole in the Rock Road (dirt, washboarded), this is a cool place to spend an hour or two. This is also one of the few "developed" areas along this road, there are a couple of picnic tables, BBQ grills and a vault toilet. if you're a keen photographer, it's also worth getting here for sunrise if you can as the hoodoos catch the warm, glowing light.

I don't know as I would go unless I was driving by to Spooky, Peek-a-Boo or something else down the road but if you are Definitely STOP! It is right there off the road and it is pretty interesting. See pix.

We took an ATV here, but I think it would have been fine via car. The rocks were pretty cool, and very different from Bryce. There were relatively few people when we were there but it looked like the trails get some fairly heavy use.