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Paria Rimrocks

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Hike in the Paria Rimrocks, and you’ll find a unique and mysterious series of caprocks, hoodoos and pillars nicknamed the ‘mushroom rocks". The are located west of Page, Arizona on the north side of US 89.  These formations are spread out over approximately a mile parallel to the highway.  There is a dirt parking area off the highway between mile markers 18 and 19.  Walk through the gate and hike straight back following the wash about a mile. Be sure to give yourself at least a couple of hours to explore the area.

Very few people are aware of the existence of the mushroom rocks, yet you will be rewarded with an overwhelming sensation of nature and spirit upon entering this spectacular land of hoodoos and sanctity.  Many people who experience these formations question whether they are natural or man-made.  It is difficult to believe the formations are natural. There is a feeling that giant children played with their tinker toys a hundred thousand years ago and just left them when they were done.

The ideal time to visit the mushroom rocks is during early morning around sunrise or in the late afternoon before sunset. The low sun and long shadows create wonderful effects on and about the rocks.  The formations in this area are made of Chinle shale, a soft and extremely colorful material that erodes very easily.  

Don’t forget to bring your camera! With gray cliffs right behind the formations, some exceptional photo images are possible. Beside the mushroom rocks, there are other unique formations in the immediate area.  In fact, just west of these pillars and caprocks is a drop off into a small valley below. It’s quite scenic and worth the side trip to look into the valley. With some rock scrambling, you can enter the valley and a slot canyon beyond.

A few hours exploring this area is time well invested. There is a wealth of mental and photographic images in this diverse area of the Paria Rimrocks. Enjoy the area, tread lightly, and "pack it in, pack it out" – don’t litter and don’t damage anything. Leave the area as it was when you arrived, and you’ll find the outdoors a even more memorable and rewarding experience.

Badlands in Paria