Natural Attraction

Agua Canyon

Natural Attraction
Glowing limestone red rocks stand in a forested bowl at the edge of a high plateau

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.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates
37.516458, -112.264831
Accessibility
Paved pullout. Wheelchair accessible. Short walk from vehicle to viewpoint.

Planning advice

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

More details

Park Area
Southern Scenic Drive, Bryce Canyon Rim
Family Friendly Notes
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.
Recent Updates
Agua Connecting Trail is indefinitely closed due to rockslides and extremely unstable conditions. Under-the-Rim Trail in this area is best accessed from Rainbow Point or Whiteman Connecting Trail.
Attraction Type
Geological Formation
Distance From Entrance
Mile 13.5 of the 18-mile Southern Scenic Drive
Accessibility Level
Drive-up view
How To Get There
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.
Parking Availability
Pullout parking at viewpoint. Capacity typically available except during peak summer weekends (July-August).
Road Type
Paved
Seasonal Access
Year-round. Bryce Canyon National Park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Entry Fees
$35 — Entrance - Private Vehicle. America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 (covers all federal recreation sites). Nonresident fee (age 16+): $100 additional.
Main 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.
What Youll 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).
Unique Characteristics
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.
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.
Restrooms Available
0
Interpretive Signs
1
Water Available
0
Common Wildlife
Clark's nutcrackers (seed cachers), limber pines, mule deer, marmots, mule lizards.
Geological 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.
Weather Patterns
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.
Fishing Nearby
0
Boating Allowed
0
Climbing Areas
0

Location

Frequently asked questions

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lower Inspiration Point

Bryce hoodoos from Lower Inspiration Point; ice-wedging sculpts pink and white Claron limestone.

Natural Bridge

A massive stone arch carved by ice, not water—Nature's window into the hoodoo-forming process.

High Plateaus Institute

Historic 1932 log cabin—the park's first administrative center. Now a field institute and summer Junior Ranger hub.

Bristlecone Loop Gazebo

Octagon log shelter at Bristlecone Loop midpoint surrounded by bristlecone pines with distinctive five-needle bundles.

Piracy Point

Two buttes resemble pirate ships overlooking Swamp Canyon and stream capture in action.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.