Big Rocks – Loa, Utah – A Place You Have Never Been!

Big Rocks – Loa, Utah – A Place You Have Never Been!

[Music] Hello and welcome to another Cactus Hill adventure. In this episode, we’re going to be taking you to Big Rock Special Recreation Management Area in South Central Utah near the town of Loa and Biknel in the same general area as Capell Reef National Park. There’s Loa almost center screen there. You can tell from the topo map that Lowa is in a valley there. It’s called Lowa Valley. Surrounded by mountains all around. There’s a close-up shot of the Big Rock Special Recreation Management Area. Access it by Big Rocks Road off of Highway 24. Or you can come from Lowa downtown, take the road main street, kind of go out to the same area. Very easy and and accessible. Here we’re on that Big Rocks Road. There’s a little glimpse of Big Rocks there on the left. You can see we’re winding through it here. There’s an off-road trail there. We get into the heart of the area. We’re going to go around to the official entrance that comes from downtown Lowa. Here’s our turnoff. If you continued straight ahead, you’d end up in the beautiful town of Loa, officially 225 east of Big Rocks Road. As you can see, the road is very good, very wellmaintained. I highlighted this sign because uh use common sense, not your GPS, especially if you’re using Google Maps. Uh I wouldn’t use Google Maps in rural areas. I’ve not had great experience with them as other people I know as well. So, uh just a word of warning. All right, so here we are going into the deep part of Big Rocks. You can see the formations on both sides. Pretty unique in its own right. It’s not as spectacular as obviously Capitol Reef National Park or some of the surrounding areas, but it has its own unique beauty and character. And I’d highly encourage you to come take a look at it, drive around, hike, bike, whatever you feel like doing. You can camp in this area and use it as a possible uh kind of a base camp to explore the area around southern Utah here. Little washboard there, but no big deal. We’re going to be coming up on a turn here soon. I actually uh went through this originally and then I turned on this road on the way back. I went up and explored some other areas and came back. And this is the area where I drove to to fly the drone. Kind of a mini canyon here. Got some beautiful formations. only one real obstacle. You’ll see it coming up. I slowed down to see if it was a how big a drop off it was, but it wasn’t too bad. So, I continued on there. Look, looks okay. So, we’re going to continue through little drop. Again, pretty unique boulder formation around here. Looks like a good place to set up camp if you’re into camping. We’re going to get the drone in the air and give you a bird’s eye view of the Big Rocks area. As we go up with the drone and get a view of the surrounding area and big rocks particularly. It also offers a range of climbing opportunities, which I’m not into, but if you are, I guess it’s called bouldering with established routes ranging from a V0 to a V6. And the type of rock in this area is considered a bulletproof and chy rock. So apparently that makes it especially good for climbing enthusiasts. Here we got the drone headed toward valley. [Music] I end up taking that road that you see below and going through there. Experiencing no really major problems with that road. Couple places you need to slow down and pick a line, but generally the road’s good there too as well. See the beautiful farmland and lower valley. Thousand Lake Mountain in the background. There it is. [Music] There’s Boulder Mountain. You see various trails run throughout the Big Rocks area. Again, you can hike, you can do a little off-roading side by side. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. At this time, I’d like to thank the folks who were in their Jeep Gladiator, the white one you see in the frame there. We’re coming through. Perfect timing. If you’re the owner of that Gladiator, make a comment. Early May is when I was there, 2025. All right. Well, I hope you enjoyed our presentation of the Big Rocks, a place you’ve never been. And I as always like to remind you, you won’t know if you don’t go. Thanks for watching. It is sincerely appreciated. Take care and have fun out there. Also, remember to be safe. All the best. Cactus Hill

Big Rocks

Big Rocks is a popular bouldering site located near the town of Loa, Utah. The site features a variety of established boulders with routes ranging from easy to challenging. The boulders are described as having a mix of bullet-proof and chossy rock, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts

Getting There
To visit Big Rocks, head south from Loa, Utah, on Big Rocks Rd, which is easily visible about a mile south of town

Climbing Opportunities
Big Rocks offers a range of climbing opportunities, including:
Bouldering: With established routes ranging from V0- to V6
Climbing: The site features a mix of bullet-proof and chossy rock, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts

Additional Information
Big Rocks is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for hiking, biking, and exploring the surrounding area
The site is also part of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Big Rocks Special Recreation Management Area

Chossy rock Definition
Chossy rock refers to loose, unstable rock or terrain that can be dangerous for hikers or climbers. In the context of climbing, chossy rock is often described as unsuitable for rock climbing, due to its fragility and the risk it poses. Climbers generally avoid such rock because it can easily dislodge, leading to potential falls or injuries.
Chossy rock can be found in various climbing areas, and while some climbers may find it challenging or even dangerous, others might view it as part of the adventure. For instance, some areas known for being chossy can still offer enjoyable climbing experiences, depending on the climber’s preferences and skill level.
In some cases, climbing on chossy rock requires special techniques, such as maintaining three points of contact with the wall to ensure stability and reduce the risk of falling. Additionally, climbers are advised to inspect holds carefully and avoid pulling directly on suspect holds, as this can cause them to break off.
It is also important to note that climbing on chossy rock can contribute to the degradation of the climbing area, so climbers are encouraged to be mindful of their impact and avoid damaging the rock unnecessarily.

Big Rocks Special Recreation Management Area

The Big Rocks Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) is located about three miles south of Loa, Utah, and is easily accessible by RVs, trailers, and other vehicles due to the paved roads connecting it to Loa. From Loa, drivers should head south along S Main Street until they reach the junction of Big Rocks Road, which is the only major road leading to the park’s areas. For those coming from Bicknell, the access route to Big Rocks Road is W 2100S, which is also a paved road. The SRMA offers various recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and auto touring, and serves as a base camp for exploring nearby National Parks and attractions.
This area is popular with trials bikes, offering fun obstacles and a challenging experience for riders. The Big Rocks SRMA is also part of the Big Rocks Wilderness, which lies to the north of the South Pahroc Range Wilderness and includes steep-sided mountains, several canyons, and a section of large, jumbled boulders known as Mecca by the rock-climbing community. The area is rich in rock art and primitive campsites, with vegetation ranging from desert brush and grass at lower elevations to pinyon and juniper stands at higher elevations.

Big Rocks Utah Maps
Big Rocks in Wayne County, Utah, is a physical feature categorized as a pillar, located on the Awapa Plateau, 7.2 km (4.5 mi) WNW of Bicknell.1 The coordinates for Big Rocks are Latitude 38.3585911 and Longitude -111.6321285.
For maps and local area information, you can refer to the Utah Hometown Locator, which provides maps, driving directions, and details about Big Rocks. Additionally, the Utah Geological Survey offers geologic maps that use colors, lines, and symbols to depict the relative age, composition, and relationships among rocks and sediments, which may include information about Big Rocks.4
If you are interested in bouldering in Big Rocks, South Central Utah, there is a route finder that provides information on the best climbs for you, along with details about the types of climbs available.
For those looking for a camping experience, Big Rock Campground offers a rustic camping experience in the heart of the mountains, with well-maintained trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife exploration.
The Big Rocks Special Recreation Management Area is also available for those interested in trials bikes, offering fun obstacles and a challenging experience for riders.