While the mysterious metal monolith appeared and disappeared in the fall of 2020, Utah’s Canyon Country is still full of unique, beyond-believable, towering rock formations that make its landscape an icon of the West. Take a trip around Utah’s Canyon Country to see nature’s own incredible, natural-made rock monoliths.
All 11 monoliths at a glance
The numbers match the map in the PDF brochure. Coordinates are as printed in the brochure.
| # | Monolith | Area | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Church Rock | Hwy 191, 14 miles north of Monticello | 38°04'21.00"N, 109°20'27.60"W |
| 2 | Twin Rocks | Bluff | 37°17'14.09"N, 109°32'50.33"W |
| 3 | Mexican Hat | Mexican Hat, near the San Juan River | 37°9'54"N, 109°51'56"W |
| 4 | Jacob’s Chair | 12 miles northwest of Natural Bridges National Monument | 37.705385, -110.239988 |
| 5 | North & South Six Shooters | Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument | 38.13750°N, 109.6681°W and 38.12080°N, 109.6498°W |
| 6 | Castle Butte | Valley of the Gods | 37°18'52"N, 109°51'14"W |
| 7 | Rooster Butte | Valley of the Gods | 37°16'34"N, 109°48'41"W |
| 8 | Battleship Rock | Valley of the Gods | 37°17'32"N, 109°50'21"W |
| 9 | Alhambra Rock | Near Goosenecks State Park | 37°8'27"N, 109°54'18"W |
| 10 | The Mittens | Monument Valley | 36°59'27"N, 110°05'46"W |
| 11 | Totem Pole | Monument Valley | 36°55'44"N, 110°02'51"W |
Monoliths near Monticello, Bluff and Mexican Hat
Jacob’s Chair
37.705385, -110.239988
This natural rock formation quite literally looks like a giant’s seat as the “chair back” stands tall reaching for the sky. Jacob’s Chair is 12 miles (19.31 km) northwest of Natural Bridges National Monument. Avid rock climbers enjoy scaling this rock feature. (The Jacobs Chair OHV Trail leads into the area.)
Twin Rocks
913 E. Navajo Twins Drive, Bluff, UT 84512. 37°17'14.09"N, 109°32'50.33"W
Rising above the aptly-named Twin Rocks Trading Post and Cafe, this red rock formation sits with the two “twin” pillars close together making the perfect backdrop for the trading post. Twin Rocks was named for the mythical Hero Twins from Navajo legend.
Mexican Hat
37°9'54"N, 109°51'56"W
Named for its appearance of having a stone sombrero resting on top of this jutting rock tower, Mexican Hat is located near the San Juan River and has a small town located nearby named after it.
Church Rock
Monticello, Utah, 84535. 38°04'21.00"N, 109°20'27.60"W
Located along Hwy 191 just 14 miles (22.53 km) north of Monticello, this unique shaped sandstone formation stands tall with a hole in the bottom that was blasted out by a local rancher as a storage space for cattle feed and salt licks. Church Rock is located on private property, but there are pullouts where you can stop to take pictures.
Alhambra Rock
37°8'27"N, 109°54'18"W
Made from dark volcanic rock, Alhambra Rock can be seen from Goosenecks State Park and juts up to a towering 250 feet (76.2 m). Alhambra Rock was named by early Spanish explorers who claimed the profile resembled the Medieval Moorish castle bearing the same name in Granada, Spain.
Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument
North & South Six Shooters
38.13750°N, 109.6681°W and 38.12080°N, 109.6498°W
These two rock formations are located east of the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park along the Indian Creek Corridor in Bears Ears National Monument. Indian Creek has long been known as a rock-climbing mecca, and many rock climbers come to scale these two sandstone towers.
Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods is a scenic sandstone valley featuring stunning geologic formations including buttes, spires and striking rock formations throughout the 18-mile (28.97 km) loop drive. These three stand tall as natural monoliths:
- Castle Butte, 37°18'52"N, 109°51'14"W
- Rooster Butte, 37°16'34"N, 109°48'41"W
- Battleship Rock, 37°17'32"N, 109°50'21"W
Monument Valley
The Mittens
36°59'27"N, 110°05'46"W
Quite possibly two of the most iconic buttes in Utah’s Canyon Country, The East and West Mitten Buttes stand tall, rising out of the Colorado Plateau to make up some of the most recognizable scenes of the Wild West.
Totem Pole
36°55'44"N, 110°02'51"W
This rock spire was once a butte similar to The Mittens, but after millions of years of erosion, it has become the thin impressive pillar that still stands today.
#RecreateResponsibly in Utah’s Canyon Country
Utah’s Canyon Country is home to many wonderful destinations and experiences. From wide-open spaces to historic neighborhoods, please remember to #RecreateResponsibly. When you visit, follow Leave No Trace and Visit With Respect principles so everyone can have the opportunity for years to come to visit these amazing sights.
- Plan ahead and prepare for your adventures
- Stay on designated trails
- Leave artifacts where you spot them
- Do not enter any archaeological structures
- Do not eat near sites and pack out what you pack in
- Properly dispose of human and pet waste
- Leave historic sites and rock art untouched
- Respect and be aware of wildlife
- Keep dogs on leashes at all times
Questions about planning your trip? Call 800-574-4386.