Agua Canyon

Q: Can I hike closer to these hoodoos or get a better view?

No trails depart from this area. The Agua Connecting Trail is indefinitely closed due to rockslides and unstable conditions. You must view these hoodoos from the pullout only.

Q: Is this just a quick 2-minute stop or worth a longer visit?

It's primarily a viewpoint with no trails, but the geological complexity and distant mountain vistas reward 15-20 minutes of observation. Notice the freeze-thaw fractures on the hoodoo faces—you're observing active erosion in process.

Q: Will I be able to see Navajo Mountain and the Henry Mountains from here?

On clear days with good air quality, Navajo Mountain is visible 80+ miles to the southeast and the Henry Mountains 86 miles beyond. Afternoon haze often obscures distant views, so visit early morning or after storms for best visibility.

Q: Is this viewpoint accessible for visitors with wheelchairs?

Yes, the pullout is wheelchair accessible right off the paved Southern Scenic Drive with short accessible walk from vehicle.

Type

Geological Formation

Accessibility

Drive-up view

Features

Two prominent hoodoos: The Hunter (taller spire on left) and the Rabbit (right). Iron-rich, reddish-brown Claron Formation mudstones and limestones with visible vertical freeze-thaw fractures. Distant views of Navajo Mountain (80+ miles southeast) and Henry Mountains (86 miles distant) on clear days. Paria Valley visible below.

Overview

About This Attraction

At Agua Canyon, two prominent hoodoos frame the view: The Hunter (the taller spire on the left) and the Rabbit to its right. These formations reveal the mechanics of freeze-thaw erosion—water seeps into cracks in the Claron Formation, freezes, expands, and shatters the iron-rich mudstones and limestones. Each winter cycle excavates new fractures, leaving behind the hoodoos we see today. From this Mile 13.5 viewpoint, clear days also reveal Navajo Mountain to the southeast (80+ miles distant) and the Henry Mountains, both laccoliths built by magma that never broke the surface.

Quick Facts

Type

Geological Formation

Access

Drive-up view

Main Features

What You'll See

Two sculpted hoodoos rising from the rim (The Hunter on left, Rabbit on right). Iron-oxide colored Claron Formation mudstones and limestones with visible vertical fractures. Limber pine forest on the plateau above. The Paria Valley stretching below to the east. On clear days: Navajo Mountain to the southeast (80+ miles away) and the Henry Mountains beyond (86 miles distant).

What Makes It Special

Two prominently named hoodoos (The Hunter and The Rabbit) with visible freeze-thaw sculptural detail. Limber pine ecosystem on plateau above. Visible laccolith formations in distant Navajo Mountain and Henry Mountains.

Safety Considerations

Viewpoint overlooks significant drop—stay behind all barriers and do not venture beyond marked areas. Do not attempt to descend or approach the hoodoos directly; slopes are unstable and rockslides are common. Afternoon thunderstorms are typical in summer; visit early morning for stable weather and clearest distant views. Loose rocks are present on slopes below the viewpoint.

Visitor Tips

Look closely at the hoodoo faces—you're observing freeze-thaw fractures that widen each winter. Active erosion in real time.
Bring binoculars to search for Navajo Mountain and Henry Mountains on clear days.
Early morning visits offer best visibility for distant peaks and clearest light on hoodoo faces.
Notice the iron oxide color in the Claron Formation—the mudstone layers break faster than limestone, creating the spire effect.
Stay behind all barriers. Do not venture beyond marked viewpoint areas.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Geological Formation

Distance from Entrance: Mile 13.5 of the 18-mile Southern Scenic Drive

GPS: 37.516458, -112.264831

What Makes It Unique:

Geology

Formation Type: Hoodoo (freeze-thaw erosion feature in horizontally stratified mudstone and limestone)

Scientific Interest:

Classic freeze-thaw erosion (ice wedging) mechanism visible on horizontally stratified Claron Formation mudstones and limestones. Observable fractures show active erosion cycle. Distant laccolithic formations (Navajo Mountain, Henry Mountains) visible from viewpoint, illustrating regional uplift and magmatic intrusion features.

Getting There

Directions:

Located at Mile 13.5 of the 18-mile Southern Scenic Drive. Paved pullout with pullout parking. Wheelchair accessible. The viewpoint is right off the main park road with short walk from vehicle.

Access Type: Drive-up view

Road: Paved

Seasonal Access: Year-round. Bryce Canyon National Park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Parking: Pullout parking at viewpoint. Capacity typically available except during peak summer weekends (July-August).

Entry Fees: $35 — Entrance - Private Vehicle. America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 (covers all federal recreation sites). Nonresident fee (age 16+): $100 additional.

Photography & Viewing

Best Viewpoints:

The pullout itself provides optimal angle for both hoodoos. Early morning light from the east illuminates the eastern faces of the spires and emphasizes freeze-thaw fractures. Late afternoon light creates alpenglow on western-facing slopes.

Photo Opportunities:

The hoodoos are well-framed in the pullout view. Early morning light from the east illuminates the eastern faces and highlights freeze-thaw fractures. Late afternoon light can create alpenglow on western faces. Wide-angle lenses capture both hoodoos and the Paria Valley beyond. Polarized filters reduce glare from iron oxide in the red rocks.

Facilities

Interpretive Signs

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Clark's nutcrackers (seed cachers), limber pines, mule deer, marmots, mule lizards.

Seasonal Information

Weather:

Clear air quality needed to see distant mountains; afternoon haze typical in summer. Afternoon thunderstorms common in summer months. Freeze-thaw cycles most active during winter and spring when water infiltration and ice expansion are greatest.

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Nearby viewpoints: Bryce Point, Rainbow Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Fairyland Point along the Southern Scenic Drive.

Insider Tips

A limber pine grows atop The Hunter, likely a seed cache left by a Clark's nutcracker—look for it with binoculars.
The Paria Valley visible below separates the Paunsaugunt Plateau (where you stand) from the Table Cliff Plateau to the east, both composed of the same Pink Cliffs (Claron Formation) but separated by the Paunsaugunt fault.
Vertical freeze-thaw fractures are especially visible on the eastern faces; early morning light illuminates them best.
The rock's reddish hue comes from iron oxide in the mudstone component of the Claron Formation.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Paved pullout. Wheelchair accessible. Short walk from vehicle to viewpoint.

Family Friendly:

Accessible pullout viewpoint suitable for all ages and mobility levels. Short, safe walk from vehicle. No trails or exposure hazards—ideal for young children or visitors with limited mobility. Wheelchair accessible.

FAQs

Do these hoodoos actually look like a hunter and a rabbit?

The Hunter is the taller spire on the left. The Rabbit is the formation to the right. Whether they truly resemble these animals is subjective—the park now encourages visitors to use their imagination.

Can I hike closer to these hoodoos or get a better view?

Is this just a quick 2-minute stop or worth a longer visit?

Will I be able to see Navajo Mountain and the Henry Mountains from here?

Is this viewpoint accessible for visitors with wheelchairs?

📖 National Park Service — Agua Canyon (official page) (checked 2026-07-19) 📖 National Park Service — Bryce Canyon National Park fees, hours & conditions (checked 2026-07-05) 📖 Climate data: Bryce Canyon Np Hqrs, Ut Us, 7,890 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00421008) 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

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