On our road trip through Kanab and Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, we were blown away by all the beautiful, hidden gems in this area. The Nautilus is one of these amazing hidden gems. It is a unique rock formation that is shaped like a corkscrew or a seashell. And the best thing is, it is only a short hike to get there.
Note: Please make sure to respect this beautiful place and the surround areas. Always practice LEAVE NO TRACE. This means no loud music, no graffiti, no carving in sandstone walls and pack out what you pack in! Please help us protect this place for generations to come!
Stats
Where
Trailhead:
37°05’11.1″N 111°53’29.7″W
The Nautilus:
37°05’23.2″N 111°53’09.8″W
Parking:
37°05’09.7″N 111°53’29.7″W
Parking
There are a few small turn-outs along the side of the dirt road, with one about 100ft past the trailhead.
Restroom
There is no restroom at the immediate trailhead but some at the White House Trailhead, about 0.6 miles down the road.
Fee
Free
Weather
Distance
1 mile R.T.
Elevation Gain
About 36 ft
Level
Easy
Time:
30 mins – 1 hour
Pet-friendly
You can bring your pups on this hike
Ideal Weather
Cool, calm day. Windy days are not that fun. Fall and Spring are the best seasons to go. Also, make sure to avoid if there is rain or flash flood in the forecast.
Ideal Time
Early morning, late afternoons or overcast days give you the best light for photos.
Video
Getting There
The trailhead for the Nautilus is located on White House Trailhead Road, about 0.6 miles before getting to the White House Trailhead and Campground. From Kanab, UT, head east on Hwy 89 toward Page, AZ for about 44 miles. Once you see the sign for Paria Ranger Station, turn right into the station. Then, stay left to follow the sign for the road to White House Trailhead. The White House Trailhead Road is a dirt and gravel road so it can be rough. About 1.5 miles, you will cross two washes on White House Road. The second wash, on the left-hand side, is the start of the trail. For parking, there is a small turnout that can fit about 2-3 cars on the right, immediately after the second wash.
The Adventure
To the Wooden Fence
It was a bit tricky to find the trailhead, especially when there is no signage whatsoever. As we mentioned above, the trail starts where the White House Trailhead road crosses the second wash. It is on the left-hand side if you’re coming from the highway.
The trail is essentially the riverbed (the wash). There aren’t any signages to mark the trail, however, you won’t get lost easily, as long as you follow the wash. After we parked, we follow the sandy wash toward the beautiful sandstone cliffs.
After a short distance, you’ll come to a wooden fence line. You’re about ⅓ of the way to the Nautilus. Once you cross over the fence, you can really see all the different colors of the canyon walls. There isn’t a lot of shades here so the trail can get very warm. Make sure to use sunscreen. When we went, it was super windy. It wasn’t fun navigating the sandy wash because the wind kept blowing sand into our eyes.
To the Nautilus
About 0.5 miles from the trailhead, you’ll come to the Nautilus. It is somewhat hidden, so you need to keep your eyes peeled. We almost missed it. The Nautilus will be on your right-hand side if you’re following the main wash. From the wash, the Nautilus looks like a big opening.
The Nautilus is an amazing feast of nature. It is formed from water rushing through the soft sandstone for thousands of years. We’re not sure if the wind has anything to do with the shape of this place as well. It was quite a wind tunnel. The Nautilus has such an interesting shape. It reminds us of a conch shell. If you want to make the hike longer, you can actually follow the wash all the way to the Toadstools trailhead. It is about 3 miles each way.
Keep in mind, the Nautilus is a very fragile rock formation so please make sure to visit this place with care. Please do not carve on the sandstone and tread softly.
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
adventure gear
Good hiking shoes are recommended on these adventures. Vy uses the Merrell Women’s Moab 2 hiking boots
Dustin’s shoes are Targhee III Waterproof
Make sure to use lots of sunscreens! We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea SPF 30.
Face sunscreen is also important. We love these tinted, organic All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter.
You should always bring plenty of water. Vy loves the Camelback L.U.X.E.
For shorter hikes, the Patagonia Women’s Nine Trails Pack 18L is perfect to hold water and your essentials.
If you want something lighter, we love the packable Patagonia Women’s Houdini® Jacket and Patagonia Men’s Houdini® Jacket
other things to bring
Always good to bring some snacks with you. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes.
camera gear
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