In a remote area of the American West, near Vernal, Utah, there exists a place of strange land formations. It’s so strange that some people believe that the geological oddities along with strange behaviors was intentionally created by something or someone, possible supernatural.
The story goes that what is there today began 50 million years ago in the Eocene Epoch. Utah was warm, humid, and full of life with alligators, turtles, tapirs, early primates, and dense vegetation that remained long after dinosaurs had vanished. Much of the region sat beneath Lake Uintah, a vast freshwater body that stretched into Colorado and Wyoming. Over time, rivers carried sandstone, shale, and siltstone into the lake, where they settled and hardened into formations that would outlast the water itself.
Small, otherworldly landscape
Today, those formations remain in a small, otherworldly landscape 40 miles south of Vernal. Nicknamed “Nature’s China Shop” for its fragile rock spires and paper-thin walls, 10-acre Fantasy Canyon is akin to a natural sculpture garden. Geologists explain its surreal shapes as the product of tectonic shifts, pressure, and millions of years of weathering.
But Fantasy Canyon also invites mystery. Striking landmarks such as the “Flying Witch,” “Alien Head,” and “Screaming Man” have led some to wonder whether something other than erosion shaped this place. Its location adds to the intrigue, only about an hour from Skinwalker Ranch, the Uintah Basin’s infamous hub of paranormal activity. Some believe both sites may be connected by a magnetic anomaly or even a dimensional rift.
Whether you see Fantasy Canyon as nature’s most delicate artwork or something more mysterious, one thing is certain: It’s unlike anywhere else on Earth.
What to know before you go
Fantasy Canyon is composed of quartzose sandstone deposited into Lake Uintah about 30-50 million years ago. Weathering and erosion after the lake dried up removed softer siltstone and shale, leaving behind the stronger (but still extremely delicate) sandstone. People say the landscape figures resemble familiar objects and forms such as faces, skulls, and talons, leading some to believe the shaping is too good to be unintentional.
Fantasy Canyon shares the Uintah Basin with Skinwalker Ranch, which is known as one of the most documented paranormal hotspots on Earth. Paranormal investigators report feeling disoriented, or experiencing mild vertigo and auditory hallucinations. Some of the locals say the time moves strangely or they experienced gaps in their memory after visiting.
Here are a few things to consider when planning a visit:
Plan your trip ahead. Check the weather forecast, make sure to use the bathroom ahead of time (there are no facilities on-site), and bring plenty of food and water. Be aware of potential safety concerns – including pygmy rattlesnakes, falling rocks, and exposure to the heat and sun.
Getting there
From Vernal, drive southeast on UT-45 for about 25 miles, then turn south onto Glen Bench Road, following signs for approximately 17 miles to reach the site. The final stretch to the canyon is unpaved and challenging in wet conditions. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Explore the canyon yourself on the 0.6-mile self-guided trail loop.
Be prepared
Fantasy Canyon is located in a very remote part of the state, so make sure your vehicle is fueled up and in good condition and that you carry a lot of water. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit, as they offer the most comfortable temperatures. However, beware of wet or unpredictable weather events. It can be terribly hot there in the summer, so if you visit, be well prepared.
Nearby Dinosaur National Monument is the only place in the world where you can view and even touch more than 1,500 dinosaur bones in their final resting place. There are many campgrounds, public and private in and around Vernal. And there are millions of acres of public lands where you can stay for free.
Some of the information for this article was furnished by Visit Dinosaurland.
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