Catstair Canyon Paria Utah Stacked Cars to Make Freeway in 360 Degrees

Utah's Strangest Road: A Freeway Built on a Canyon of Classic Cars

Just past the turn-off for House Rock Valley Road on Highway 89, there's a quirky and clever piece of Utah history hiding in plain sight. To bridge a gap over Catstair Canyon, engineers in the 1960s came up with a resourceful solution: they filled the canyon with a collection of old cars, stacked them high, covered them with dirt, and built the highway right on top. It’s a wild sight to behold—turning a corner in a slot canyon and coming face-to-face with a wall of stacked 1960s automobiles. As I stood there, I couldn't help but want to sneak one out and fix it up, but I was also struck by a powerful metaphor about purpose that I can't wait to share.

The Golden Nugget 🌟

Don't Miss This: The "Trucks Enter Here" sign. As you look at the top of the car pile, you can spot an old, ironic sign that says "Trucks Enter Here," seemingly stuck right in the middle of the stack. It’s a funny, quirky detail that adds to the charm of this wonderfully strange roadside stop.

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THIS QUIRKY CANYON

This VR Getaway is part of a larger road trip through some of the most magical places in the Southwest. The journey includes this unique canyon of cars, the fairy-tale landscapes of Sedona, and the epic grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Grab your VR headset and transport yourself into this magical road trip with me!

"Sometimes we think we are old and not very useful in life, but just like these cars being crucial for tons of people who drive this road daily, we ALL have a purpose..."

Adventure at a Glance

🏞️ Location: Catstair Canyon, along Highway 89 near Paria, Utah
🚶‍♀️ Activity: Roadside Attraction, Easy Hiking
⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds for uniqueness!)
☀️ Best For: Quirky Utah history, unique photo opportunities, a quick and easy stop.
⏳ Recommended Time: 30-60 minutes to explore the canyon.
🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The wall of stacked cars, the "wave-like" rock formations, the funny sign.

Catstair Canyon Paria Utah Stacked Cars to Make Freeway

My Catstair Canyon Story

I was so charmed by this clever and funny piece of Utah ingenuity. Dropping down into the wash, you can explore the small slot canyon in both directions. To the right, it quickly dead-ends in a pretty but impassable section. To the left, you'll find cool rock pillars and "wave-like" streaks in the sandstone before arriving at the main attraction: the wall of stacked 1960s cars. Seeing them all piled up, still serving a vital purpose decades later, was surprisingly inspirational. It was a powerful reminder that even when we think our best days are behind us, we all still have a purpose and can be a crucial support for others on their journey. All we have to do is ask how we can help, and the way will be shown.

Catstair Canyon - Paria Utah

Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

♦️ Finding the Turnout: This spot can be tricky to pull into, especially if there's traffic. It's located just past the House Rock Valley Road turnoff on Highway 89. Be strategic and let people pass you before you slow down to turn. Here is a dropped pin: Google Map Dropped Pin Location.
♦️ Explore the Wash: The area around the cars in Catstair Canyon is a fun, short slot canyon with beautiful, wave-like rock formations. It's definitely worth spending a few minutes exploring.
♦️ Google Earth View: You can see the cars sticking out from the side of the road on Google Earth! It's a great way to get a sense of the location before you go.

Video of Stacked Cars Under Freeway in Paria

Click on this link to walk around this area in 360 degrees

Link for 360 Google Earth Trail

Catstair Canyon Paria Utah Stacked Cars to Make Freeway

Google gave me a 360 video camera, but I can no longer embed images from the trails I make with it, and frankly I am not that pleased with the quality of the pictures, for they have to grab it from the video. Needless to say, you have to click on the link above to walk through the area.

Below I looked at the top of the stack of cars, and there is a sign. When I zoomed in, the sign says Trucks Enter Here. So funny that they stuck that sign in the midst of this pile of cars.

Catstair Canyon Paria Utah Stacked Cars to Make Freeway

Conclusion

You can't say people from Utah aren't resourceful! This wonderfully weird and clever roadside stop is one of my favorites. It's a piece of history, a work of unintentional art, and a powerful metaphor all rolled into one. It's a testament to the idea that with a little creativity, even old and forgotten things can find a new and vital purpose. I hope you get a chance to visit this fun and inspiring spot on your next Southwest adventure.