Cosmic Ashtray in Escalante, Utah: Trail Guide

Located in the wild and remote Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, the 8.3-mile hike to Cosmic Ashtray (a.k.a. the Volcano or Cosmic Navel) is an otherworldly adventure perfect for those looking to get off the beaten path. With no designated trail, navigational skills are required to reach this strange and unique rock formation.

This wild rock formation resembles a hurricane in that its perimeter seems to be swirling around an “eye” in the middle. In this case, the “eye” is a 33 foot tall rock.

The hike to reach Cosmic Ashtray is not to be underestimated, as the route does not follow a marked trail, requiring a GPS or offline map to navigate. Even with navigation tools, finding your way can be tricky at times.

But here’s the best part: once you make it to the Cosmic Ashtray, you can climb down into it and explore like kids in a giant orange sandbox!

If you’re up for an adventure, keep reading for all the information you need to safely access the Cosmic Ashtray.

Cosmic Ashtray in Escalante, Utah

Cosmic Ashtray Route Options

There are two different routes you can take to hike to the Cosmic Ashtray:

1. Northwest approach | Starts from the trailhead is on Spencer Flat Road with round trip hike distance of 8.3 miles and 880 feet elevation gain.
2. Southern approach | Starts from the trailhead on Harris Wash Road off Hole in the Rock Road with round trip hike distance of 9 miles with 975 feet of elevation gain.

We hiked via the trailhead on Spencer Flat Road, so this article will focus on the northwest approach. This trailhead is more popular and we believe it’s a better hike for a couple reasons.

First, 4WD is typically not required to access the trailhead off Spencer Flat Road. Getting to Harris Wash Road trailhead is more difficult due to thick sand and muddy conditions following rain.

Additionally, the hike via Spencer Flat Road is more scenic. The southern approach mainly follows along a washed-out dirt road.

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Cosmic Ashtray Safety Tips

The hike to Cosmic Ashtray is not to be taken lightly. Be prepared and know what you’re getting into before you begin the hike.

• Take a hiking buddy | We would not recommend doing this hike alone due to the remote location, undefined trail, and challenging climb into the ashtray.
• Offline Navigation tool required | There is no trail, so having some means of offline navigation is required, such as a downloaded map or GPS device. We recommend downloading the trail map on AllTrails Pro or Gaia GPS. While the map route is not exact, it will lead you in the right direction.
• No cell service | There is no cell service in most of Grand Staircase-Escalante. Be prepared and download your maps before entering the park.
• Have someone stay outside the Cosmic Ashtray at all times | In case you have any trouble climbing out, keep at least one person outside the Cosmic Ashtray to assist others or get help if necessary. Better to be safe than sorry!
• Pack a rope | While not necessary to get into the Cosmic Ashtray, some hikers prefer to bring a rope for support climbing in and out of the canyon.

Cosmic Ashtray | Trail Guide

The hike to Cosmic Ashtray

The saying “middle of nowhere” gets thrown around a lot these days, but with this hike, it is very much true. Cosmic Ashtray is one of the more isolated hikes in the already-remote Grand Staircase-Escalante. While there is undoubtedly appeal to that isolation, it definitely requires some extra planning and precautions.

With all that in mind, the hike through the desert is absolutely stunning. There is no designated trail, and the route meanders over alternating slickrock and sand.

While the AllTrails route will point you in the right direction, it is not exact by any means. You’ll still need to do some route-finding of your own to find the best way around various hills, valleys, and rock formations.

Cosmic Ashtray is located just over 4 miles from the trailhead. Despite its massive size, the formation isn’t immediately visible and can still be a bit difficult to find in the vast desert landscape. Keep an eye on your downloaded map to find the way.

How to climb into the Cosmic Ashtray

When you finally lay eyes on the Cosmic Ashtray, prepare to be blown away by how strange and beautiful it is! The swirling rock and creamsicle-colored sand simply are unlike anything we’ve seen before.

The real fun begins with the short climb down into the Cosmic Ashtray!

There are small hand and foot holds carved into the rock wall to assist with the roughly 20-foot descent. These makeshift steps are worn down and slick, making for a precarious entrance. If you’re short like me, the steps are a little too far apart to feel secure.

When we visited, there was an anchor above the steps that could be used to attach a rope. We entered without using a rope, so we can’t speak to how secure the anchor is.

Exploring inside the Ashtray

It took me a few minutes of contemplating and some coaching from a fellow hiker on where to place my hands and feet to get up the courage to make the climb inside. But once I stepped foot into the soft orange sand, the challenge was well worth it!

We found climbing out of the Cosmic Ashtray to be easier than getting in. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to keep one person from your group outside in case you need help.

The return hike

After you have had your fill of fun exploring, head back to the trailhead following the same route you took it.

Cosmic Ashtray | FAQs

How difficult is the Cosmic Ashtray hike?

Covering about 900 feet of elevation over 8.3 miles, the hike doesn’t sound extremely physically demanding on paper. However, it does pose some unique challenges.

First, some navigation skills are still required on your part to find your way around the valleys and steep rocks. Second, getting into the adult-sized sandbox requires a steep climb via a set of slick footholds carved into the wall.

And lastly, there is no shade along the trail to provide relief from the hot desert sun. Much of the route involves hiking through deep sand, which can quickly zap the energy out of you.

Do you need a rope to get into the Cosmic Ashtray?

Not necessarily. We did it without a rope. That being said, you may feel more comfortable using a rope for support if you have a fear of heights.

How was Cosmic Ashtray formed?

While it may look like the aftermath of a meteor crashing into the earth, the Cosmic Ashtray was actually formed by the less dramatic forces of erosion.

Over thousands of years, the unrelenting pressure of a now-extinct river and mighty desert winds slowly eroded the rock, leaving behind the formation that stands today. Isn’t it crazy what water, wind, and time can create!?

After the area dried up, continuous winds blasting the rock slowly formed the deep layer of sand that covers the bottom of the Ashtray to this day. It is thought that this process occurred over 200,000 years ago!

When is the best time to hike to Cosmic Ashtray?

• Ideal | March to May, late September to early November
• Avoid | December to February, June to August

The best time to hike to Cosmic Ashtray is during the Spring (March to May) and Fall (late September to early November). Summertime temperatures can be scorching and winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing.

Where should I stay before the hike?

You can either stay in the small town of Escalante or find a dispersed camping spot in Grand Staircase-Escalante.

Camping is permitted anywhere off Spencer Flat Road, and the nearby Hole in the Rock Road. Both roads offer great (and plentiful!) campsite options.

Other Grand Staircase-Escalante Resources

Planning a trip to Grand Staircase Escalante? Be sure to check out these resources on other great hikes in the area:

Have you visited the Cosmic Ashtray? What’s the coolest rock formation you’ve visited in Southern Utah? Let us know in the comments section below!

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