Grand Staircase Escalante is a rugged wilderness of colourful rock, slot canyons, exciting driving, and stunning hikes. Our guide to the area includes all the best things to do and where to stay.
LAST UPDATE: 18 Jan 2024
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Grand Staircase Escalante is 1.9 million acres of wilderness.
At its western edge, a dramatic staircase of vivid cliffs change colour as they steadily climb. In the east, the Escalante River and its tributaries cut through red sandstone creating slot canyons and natural arches.
In between, a high plateau is an adventure playground with rough tracks for 4×4 excursions.
This is remote Utah. Come here for adventurous hiking, an exhilarating road trip or an escape in an under-explored natural wilderness.
These are all our favourite things to do in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. We cover the layout of the park, a map of the region, and advice about where to stay.
WHAT IS GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT?
Grand Staircase Escalante is a rugged wilderness in the state of Utah in the USA. In 1996 it was designated a National Monument by President Bill Clinton. Covering 1.9 million acres it was the largest National Monument (area of significant natural, cultural, historical, or scientific importance) in the United States.
Its designation was always controversial and in 2017 President Trump reduced the size of the monument by half. It was restored to its original size in 2021 by President Biden.
LAYOUT OF GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT
The National Monument consists of three distinct landscapes:
GRAND STAIRCASE
In the west is the Grand Staircase. This aptly named area is a series of colourful cliffs and terraces that rise step-like from Grand Canyon in the south to Bryce Canyon in the northwest. As the staircase rises, the cliff colours change from chocolate to vermillion, white to gray, and finally to pink.
KAIPAROWITS PLATEAU
In the centre is the Kaiparowits Plateau. This high plateau is a slice of green amongst the predominately red rock. The green is the pinyon-juniper woodland that clings to the high elevation. It is a very remote area and not many people visit here.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
In the northeast are the Escalante Canyons. This is where tributaries of the Escalante River cut through the red rock to create slot canyons, arches, sculpted slickrock and waterfalls. It is a haven for adventurous hikers.
MAP | GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT
You can find a broad outline of the different areas of Grand Staircase in our map below.
- Grand Staircase – blue
- Kaiparowits Plateau – green
- Escalante Canyons – red
The National Monument is accessible via two main roads. Highway 12 (which is stunning) runs through the northern section, while Highway 89 runs through the southern section.
The only reasonable road within the National Monument that connects the two main roads is Cottonwood Canyon Road. It is unpaved and can be impassable after rain (purple on map).
How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.
What to do in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
ESCALANTE CANYONS
1. DRIVE HIGHWAY 12
Often listed as one of the most stunning roads in the country, the All-American Scenic Highway 12 reaches its zenith between the towns of Boulder and Escalante.
Leaving Boulder, the road runs along a narrow ridge called the Hogback. The road twists and turns as a dramatic canyon drops below. The red and white rock contrasts beautifully with the green oasis that lies along the canyon bottom. It’s a beautiful drive.
Don’t miss the Head of the Rocks Overlook which offers great views over the road as it cuts through the red and white rock. Kiva Koffeehouse is an atmospheric spot for a break.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
2. HIKE TO LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS
Roughly halfway along the Hogback the road passes Calf Creek Falls. Deep down in the canyon the falls are split into the Upper and Lower Calf Creek Falls. The hike to the Lower Falls is one of the best hikes in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
The hike is 3 miles each way (6 miles in total) and leaves from the well signed Lower Calf Creek Falls Trailhead ($5 per vehicle). The trail runs beside Calf Creek as it winds along the bottom of the canyon. It’s a straight-forward walk although part of it is on sand.
The Lower Calf Creek Falls is a slender 126-foot-high cascade plunges into a lovely pool. It’s an excellent place for a refreshing dip so bring your swimming gear.
Allow 3-4 hours for the round-trip hike and swim. There are no changing rooms at the falls but there are restrooms at the trailhead.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
3. ANASAZI STATE PARK MUSEUM
The Ancestral Puebloans that inhabited this region over 1,000 years ago are often referred to as Anasazi. The goal of this museum ($5) is to preserve their cultural heritage.
The highlight is the Puebloan remains of Coombs Village. Dating back to the 12th century, you can explore the partially reconstructed structures and kivas (subterranean ceremonial room).
Outside the museum there’s a completely reconstructed six-room replica of the ancient dwelling. Inside there are a mix of artefacts from the site.
In the parking lot, we highly recommend Magnolia’s food truck which does an excellent lunch.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
4. DRIVE THROUGH LONG CANYON ON THE BURR TRAIL
The Burr Trail (marked in brown on the map above) is a paved road that runs along the northern eastern edge of the Escalante Canyons.
As it winds across the barren rugged landscape it crosses two tributaries that have cut pretty canyons through the rock.
The first is Lower Deer Creek which deserves a quick stop.
The second is Long Canyon and it’s far more spectacular. The Gulch, a major tributary of the Escalante River, has cut a remarkable slot canyon through the rock.
The road passes through Long Canyon with walls of red rock rising on either side.
Half-way along Long Canyon, there is an offshoot called Singing Canyon with incredible natural acoustics. Next, stop off at the Long Canyon Overlook before returning the way you came.
Long Canyon is a 30-minute detour off Highway 12 in Boulder (1-hour return).
TIP | BURR TRAIL TO CAPITOL REEF
It’s possible to follow the Burr Trail all the way to Capitol Reef National Park (one of the Might 5 National Parks of Utah), but you’ll need a sense of adventure.
After leaving Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument the paved road ends and becomes a rough gravel track. It descends the Waterpocket Fold switchbacks and then meets the Notom-Bullfrog Road.
Expect it to take most of the day but check conditions with park management before setting off. Don’t attempt after rain.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
5. DRIVE HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK ROAD
The Hole-in-the-Rock Road (marked in red on the map) is a rough track that runs along the western edge of the Escalante Canyons section of the park. It is the access road to the most dramatic slot canyons in the area.
Even if you don’t visit the canyons, it’s worth driving down here. Cliffs rise on your right-hand side as strange rock formations appear near the road. The most dramatic is Devil’s Garden, where red and sandy-coloured hoodoos rise above the desert landscape.
The Hole-in-the-Rock Road is rough but can usually be driven in a normal 2WD to Devils Garden (12 miles – 30 minutes) and to Lower Dry Fork Trailhead (26 miles – 50 minutes).
After that the road gets progressively tougher and you’ll need a high clearance 4×4 to reach Hole-in-the Rock on the Western Shores of Lake Powell (55.5 miles – 2 hours 30 minutes).
ESCALANTE CANYONS
6. HIKE ZEBRA SLOT CANYON
A slot canyon is a long, narrow channel with sheer smooth-sided rock walls. Formed as water flows through sandstone or sedimentary rock, they are one of the highlights of Grand Staircase Escalante.
Antelope Canyon, in nearby North Arizona, is probably the most famous slot canyon in the world. But you need to join an organised tour to see it. In Escalante you can enjoy this unforgettable experience on your own.
Zebra Slot Canyon is a short but very pretty slot canyon with stripey horizontal lines running along the slick walls.
The problem is that It requires a 5.2-mile out and back hike (3 to 4 hours) and the canyon often has standing water which means you must be prepared to get wet. The trailhead is 8 miles (15 minutes) down Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
In our opinion, it’s better to visit Dry Fork, Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons. Coming up next.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
7. HIKE PEEKABOO & SPOOKY SLOT CANYONS
Lower Dry Fork Trailhead is 26 miles (50 minutes) down Hole-in-the-Rock Road. It is the starting point for exploring three very different canyons making it one of the best hikes in Grand Staircase Escalante.
From the trailhead (with WC) follow the path as it winds along the top of the canyon wall. Then follow the cairns as they drop diagonally down the canyon wall. Be careful as the rock can be a little slippery.
The path then descends across the sand to the bottom of the canyon. (Marked with black dot on map above).
Turn left and explore Dry Fork Narrows. This canyon is wider than the others and easier to walk along. Head as far as you want before returning.
Next explore Peekaboo Slot Canyon. This is a great slot canyon, but the challenge is getting in. The entrance is a 12-foot scramble up a rocky wall. Some steps have been carved into the rock, but it’s still tricky. Once inside walk on the sweeping walls, crouch under the arches, and navigate the cylindrical pockets.
Finally explore Spooky Slot Canyon. This is not one for the claustrophobic. The slick rock walls get tighter and tighter, making it more and more difficult to move. At one point it’s just 10 inches wide.
PEEKABOO + SPOOKY LOOP
You can walk Peekaboo and Spooky individually (out and back) or combine them in a 1.7-mile loop. If you choose the loop, park authorities ask all hikers to walk in one direction. Head up Peekaboo, then after exiting at the top, follow the cairns to the top entrance to Spooky, then walk back down Spooky into the main canyon.
Be aware that midway down Spooky Canyon there is a 10-foot drop aided by a rope, if you don’t fancy it, you can avoid it by doing each canyon as an individual hike.
Allow 2 hours for the drive there and back and 3 to 4 hours to explore the canyons. Do not attempt if rain is forecast as slot canyons can be dangerous.
GRAND STAIRCASE
8. KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK
Kodachrome Basin State Park ($10 per vehicle) is known for its distinctive sandstone chimneys and spires that rise up to 170 feet in the air. The rock is a striking mix of red, orange, pink and white. The vibrant colours lead the National Geographic Society to name the park after the popular Kodak colour film.
Simply drive around the park and stop at whichever formation grab your attention.
Strictly speaking Kodachrome State Park is not in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, but it is surrounded by it on all sides so it may as well be.
GRAND STAIRCASE
9. DRIVE COTTONWOOD CANYON ROAD
The only reasonable road that cuts across the Grand Staircase from north to south is THE 46-mile-long Cottonwood Canyon Road. It’s a great way to get between Highway 12 and Highway 89 without completing a big loop of motorways.
From Highway 12 it begins as a paved road, but once it passes Kodachrome Basin State Park it turns to gravel.
The scenery along the 90-minute journey is excellent and can usually be completed in a 2WD car (although not after rain when it is impassable even in a 4×4).
Be sure to stop at Grosvenor Arch, a double arch a short detour from the main Cottonwood Canyon Road.
GRAND STAIRCASE
10. COYOTE BUTTES NORTH
Just over the southern border of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is Coyote Buttes North. Officially part of the Praia Canyon – Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness it has two exceptional sights.
BUCKSKIN GULCH
Buckskin Gulch is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest and offers obstacles like ladders, rock jams, quicksand, and pools. It’s 1.7 miles from Wire Pass Trailhead to the entrance to the gulch. Simply walk into the gulch for as long and as far as you can before turning around. Day Permit required, usually obtainable online on the day.
THE WAVE
The Wave is a mesmerising geological formation of undulating swirling patterns in the sandstone rock. Pictures of it look truly staggering. Unfortunately, access is extremely limited and you must be very lucky to get a permit. We applied 5 times without success.
There’s an advanced lottery around 4 months in advance and a daily lottery 1 day in advance. Try your luck on blm.gov and If you manage to get a permit, please send us a photo!
PERMITS
There is no fee to enter the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and no permits are required for day trips into the park. If you intend to spend the night camping in the monument you will need a Backcountry Camping Permit.
Permits are required to hike in Coyote Buttes North.
GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE VISITOR CENTER
It’s a good idea for first-time visitors to go to one of the four visitors’ centers in the park. Ask about road, trail, and weather conditions especially if you plan to hike in the slot canyons and drive the backcountry roads.
There are helpful maps that can be picked up outside the visitors’ centres, even if it’s closed.
The visitors’ centres are at Big Water, Cannonville, Escalante and Kanab.
WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to visit Grand Staircase Escalante are in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. May, June, and September have the least amount of rain making these months the best time to hike in the slot canyons.
In July and August, temperatures often reach 95 – 105°F making day hikes and exploration challenging.
In winter the region is cold and windy with temperatures going below freezing. Snow can cover the higher elevation areas and with increased rain many of the unpaved roads are unpassable.
WHERE TO STAY
Most of the attractions in Grand Staircase Escalante are best accessed from Highway 12 in the northern section of the National Monument. The most convenient base is Escalante Town which has a gas station, a few restaurants, a grocery store, outfitters, RV park, and a bar.
Here are a couple of hotel recommendations.
OUR PICK
ESCALANTE TOWN
THE INN OF ESCALANTE
Large comfortable adult-only rooms in the centre of town. The owner, Tom, was full of tall stories, and helpful advice for the day ahead.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU HAVE TICKETS FOR THE WAVE
If you are lucky enough to get a permit for The Wave, stay in either Kanab or Page.
To do the wave, you need to physically attend a Bureau of Land Management Office to pick up your permit and watch a safety briefing. These centres are in Kanab and Page and both are around 1 hour’s drive from the trailhead.
WHERE NEXT AFTER ESCALANTE
Grand Staircase Escalante is next to 5 stunning National Parks in Utah known as the Mighty 5. All can be explored on a wonderful 2-week US road trip that includes Las Vegas, Grand Canyon & Monument Valley.
Here are our recommendations on how to see it all:
