What is the Cosmic Ashtray?
The Cosmic Ashtray, also known as the “Volcano”, “Islomania Dome”, “Cosmic Navel” or “Red Fractures”, is a unique geological formation near Escalante, Utah.
The Cosmic Ashtray is a giant dome with a large island in the middle, surrounded by what looks like orange water (and might be after a rain), but is actually bright orange sand.
It’s much bigger than it looks in the photos: you really have to see it to believe it!
Directions to the cosmic ashtray
To reach the Cosmic Ashtray, start in Escalante, Utah. (Grab a slice of pizza to go at Escalante Outfitters and thank me later!)
From Escalante, drive 10 miles on Hole-in-the-rock Road and then turn east on Harris Wash Road. After about seven miles, the road crosses Harris Wash, which may be impassable if there has been recent rain.
Here you will find a dirt extract with a route map and a sign that says “Authorized vehicles only beyond this point”.
From the unmarked trailhead, hike approximately four miles through the desert to the Cosmic Ashtray.
Hike to the Cosmic Ashtray: GPS coordinates and maps
Before I give you the coordinates for the Cosmic Ashtray, please read the following VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
• The cosmic ashtray is literally in the middle of nowhere. If you are injured or stuck and need assistance, assistance may last from several hours to several days.
• The road is best traveled with a 4WD or 4×4 vehicle, the higher the ground clearance the better.
• No matter what type of vehicle you have, make sure you bring at least two days’ worth of food and water, as well as enough warm clothing in case you need to stay overnight unexpectedly.
• I highly recommend bringing a satellite messenger like a Garmin InReach to call for help if needed. There is no cell service near the Cosmic Ashtray.
• I do not recommend hiking this trail in the summer when temperatures can exceed 100°F. Try to hike in spring or fall and always bring plenty of water with you.
Once you have read all the safety warnings, here are the coordinates for the Cosmic Ashtray itself: 37.682978, -111.315898.
Please use the coordinates in combination with at least two different downloaded maps: don’t expect Google to take you there.
Even with coordinates, it’s easy to get lost in the desert when there are few landmarks and every direction looks the same.
You can find some people’s recorded routes to the ashtray via AllTrails and GaiaGPS. I recommend downloading more than one route to your phone or handheld GPS as recorded routes are not always 100% accurate.
The trail is 13.3 kilometers round trip. However, allow some time to get there in case you become disoriented or lost. Even with GPS coordinates, it may take some time to locate the cosmic ashtray in the vast Utah desert.
Just in case, pack enough food and water to last you the whole day.
Leave no trace: Visit the cosmic ashtray safely and responsibly
The cosmic ashtray is literally in the middle of nowhere, with no apparent path. If you decide to visit, please be careful not to leave any trace.
In the desert, Leave means No Trace Pack out your poop!
Yes, really. There are no restrooms at the trailhead or anywhere within many miles of the Cosmic Ashtray.
In a desert environment, unlike a forest, burying your poop won’t work because there aren’t enough microorganisms in the thin soil to help with decomposition.
If you visit the Cosmic Ashtray, be sure to bring dog poop bags or a designated “wag bag” in case nature calls.
Camping near the Cosmic Ashtray
The Cosmic Ashtray is surrounded by public BLM land, so you can pull off the road and camp almost anywhere.
You can even stay overnight at the “trail” where the trail book is located if you want to get an early start or plan to return at sunset.
Remember to leave no trace, which means using existing campsites, not disturbing the plant life or delicate cryptobiotic soil, and packing away all your trash including human feces.
Tips for photographing the Cosmic Ashtray
The shape of the dome makes it difficult to take a well-lit photo of the Cosmic Ashtray on a sunny day, as part of the “navel” is always in shadow. Golden hour is the best time, or you can hike on a cloudier day.
(However, I do not recommend hiking if rain is forecast as the road may become impassable.)
Things to do near Cosmic Ashtray and Escalante, Utah
While you’re in the area, don’t miss Lower Calf Creek Falls, also near Escalante, Utah. (And be sure to grab a slice of pizza at Escalante Outfitters.)
Utah is also home to five beautiful national parks worth visiting: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion.
You could spend several weeks on a Utah road trip and still not see everything, but the Mighty Five National Parks are a great place to start!
Questions about visiting the Cosmic Ashtray near Escalante? Let me know below!
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