Grand Staircase Escalante is a rugged wilderness of vibrant rock, slot canyons, thrilling driving, and gorgeous hikes. Our information to the realm contains all the very best issues to do and the place to remain.
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 color as they steadily climb. Within the east, the Escalante River and its tributaries minimize via purple sandstone creating slot canyons and pure arches.
In between, a excessive plateau is an journey playground with tough tracks for 4×4 excursions.
That is distant Utah. Come right here for adventurous mountaineering, an exhilarating street journey or an escape in an under-explored pure wilderness.
These are all our favorite issues to do within the Grand Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument. We cowl the format of the park, a map of the area, and recommendation about the place to remain.
WHAT IS GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT?
Grand Staircase Escalante is a rugged wilderness within the state of Utah within the USA. In 1996 it was designated a Nationwide Monument by President Invoice Clinton. Overlaying 1.9 million acres it was the biggest Nationwide Monument (space of serious pure, cultural, historic, or scientific significance) in the US.
Its designation was all the time controversial and in 2017 President Trump lowered the scale of the monument by half. It was restored to its authentic measurement in 2021 by President Biden.
LAYOUT OF GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Nationwide Monument consists of three distinct landscapes:
GRAND STAIRCASE
Within the west is the Grand Staircase. This aptly named space is a collection of vibrant cliffs and terraces that rise step-like from Grand Canyon within the south to Bryce Canyon within the northwest. Because the staircase rises, the cliff colors change from chocolate to vermillion, white to grey, and at last to pink.
KAIPAROWITS PLATEAU
Within the centre is the Kaiparowits Plateau. This excessive plateau is a slice of inexperienced amongst the predominately purple rock. The inexperienced is the pinyon-juniper woodland that adheres to the excessive elevation. It’s a very distant space and never many individuals go to right here.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
Within the northeast are the Escalante Canyons. That is the place tributaries of the Escalante River minimize via the purple rock to create slot canyons, arches, sculpted slickrock and waterfalls. It’s a haven for adventurous hikers.
MAP | GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Yow will discover a broad define of the totally different areas of Grand Staircase in our map under.
- Grand Staircase – blue
- Kaiparowits Plateau – inexperienced
- Escalante Canyons – purple
The Nationwide Monument is accessible through two major roads. Freeway 12 (which is gorgeous) runs via the northern part, whereas Freeway 89 runs via the southern part.
The one affordable street inside the Nationwide Monument that connects the 2 major roads is Cottonwood Canyon Highway. It’s unpaved and might be impassable after rain (purple on map).
use this map / Click on on the highest left of the map to show the checklist of places, then click on on the places to show additional info. Click on on the highest proper nook of the map to open a bigger model in a brand new tab or the star to save lots of to your Google Maps.
What to do in Grand Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument
ESCALANTE CANYONS
1. DRIVE HIGHWAY 12
Usually listed as one of the crucial gorgeous roads within the nation, the All-American Scenic Freeway 12 reaches its zenith between the cities of Boulder and Escalante.
Leaving Boulder, the street runs alongside a slender ridge referred to as the Hogback. The street twists and turns as a dramatic canyon drops under. The purple and white rock contrasts superbly with the inexperienced oasis that lies alongside the canyon backside. It’s an attractive drive.
Don’t miss the Head of the Rocks Overlook which affords nice views over the street because it cuts via the purple and white rock. Kiva Koffeehouse is an atmospheric spot for a break.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
2. HIKE TO LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS
Roughly midway alongside the Hogback the street passes Calf Creek Falls. Deep down within the canyon the falls are break up into the Higher and Decrease Calf Creek Falls. The hike to the Decrease Falls is without doubt one of the finest hikes within the Grand Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument.
The hike is 3 miles every manner (6 miles in whole) and leaves from the effectively signed Decrease Calf Creek Falls Trailhead ($5 per car). The path runs beside Calf Creek because it winds alongside the underside of the canyon. It’s a straight-forward stroll though a part of it’s on sand.
The Decrease Calf Creek Falls is a slender 126-foot-high cascade plunges into a beautiful pool. It’s a superb place for a refreshing dip so deliver your swimming wear.
Permit 3-4 hours for the round-trip hike and swim. There aren’t any altering rooms on the falls however there are restrooms on the trailhead.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
3. ANASAZI STATE PARK MUSEUM
The Ancestral Puebloans that inhabited this area over 1,000 years in the past are also known as Anasazi. The objective of this museum ($5) is to protect their cultural heritage.
The spotlight is the Puebloan stays of Coombs Village. Courting again to the 12th century, you possibly can discover the partially reconstructed constructions and kivas (subterranean ceremonial room).
Outdoors the museum there’s a very reconstructed six-room reproduction of the traditional dwelling. Inside there are a mixture of artefacts from the positioning.
Within the car parking zone, we extremely suggest Magnolia’s meals truck which does a superb lunch.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
4. DRIVE THROUGH LONG CANYON ON THE BURR TRAIL
The Burr Path (marked in brown on the map above) is a paved street that runs alongside the northern jap fringe of the Escalante Canyons.
Because it winds throughout the barren rugged panorama it crosses two tributaries which have minimize fairly canyons via the rock.
The primary is Decrease Deer Creek which deserves a fast cease.
The second is Lengthy Canyon and it’s much more spectacular. The Gulch, a significant tributary of the Escalante River, has minimize a exceptional slot canyon via the rock.
The street passes via Lengthy Canyon with partitions of purple rock rising on both facet.
Half-way alongside Lengthy Canyon, there’s an offshoot referred to as Singing Canyon with unbelievable pure acoustics. Subsequent, cease off on the Lengthy Canyon Overlook earlier than returning the way in which you got here.
Lengthy Canyon is a 30-minute detour off Freeway 12 in Boulder (1-hour return).
TIP | BURR TRAIL TO CAPITOL REEF
It’s doable to observe the Burr Path all the way in which to Capitol Reef Nationwide Park (one of many May 5 Nationwide Parks of Utah), however you’ll want a way of journey.
After leaving Grand Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument the paved street ends and turns into a tough gravel monitor. It descends the Waterpocket Fold switchbacks after which meets the Notom-Bullfrog Highway.
Anticipate it to take many of the day however verify situations with park administration earlier than setting off. Don’t try after rain.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
5. DRIVE HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK ROAD
The Gap-in-the-Rock Highway (marked in purple on the map) is a tough monitor that runs alongside the western fringe of the Escalante Canyons part of the park. It’s the entry street to essentially the most dramatic slot canyons within the space.
Even should you don’t go to the canyons, it’s price driving down right here. Cliffs rise in your right-hand facet as unusual rock formations seem close to the street. Probably the most dramatic is Satan’s Backyard, the place purple and sandy-coloured hoodoos rise above the desert panorama.
The Gap-in-the-Rock Highway is tough however can often be pushed in a traditional 2WD to Devils Backyard (12 miles – half-hour) and to Decrease Dry Fork Trailhead (26 miles – 50 minutes).
After that the street will get progressively harder and also you’ll want a excessive clearance 4×4 to achieve Gap-in-the Rock on the Western Shores of Lake Powell (55.5 miles – 2 hours half-hour).
ESCALANTE CANYONS
6. HIKE ZEBRA SLOT CANYON
A slot canyon is an extended, slender channel with sheer smooth-sided rock partitions. Fashioned as water flows via sandstone or sedimentary rock, they’re one of many highlights of Grand Staircase Escalante.
Antelope Canyon, in close by North Arizona, might be essentially the most well-known slot canyon on the earth. However you must be part of an organised tour to see it. In Escalante you possibly can take pleasure in this unforgettable expertise by yourself.
Zebra Slot Canyon is a brief however very fairly slot canyon with stripey horizontal traces operating alongside the slick partitions.
The issue is that It requires a 5.2-mile out and again hike (3 to 4 hours) and the canyon usually has standing water which suggests you have to be ready to get moist. The trailhead is 8 miles (quarter-hour) down Gap-in-the-Rock Highway.
In our opinion, it’s higher to go to Dry Fork, Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons. Developing subsequent.
ESCALANTE CANYONS
7. HIKE PEEKABOO & SPOOKY SLOT CANYONS
Decrease Dry Fork Trailhead is 26 miles (50 minutes) down Gap-in-the-Rock Highway. It’s the place to begin for exploring three very totally different canyons making it among the best hikes in Grand Staircase Escalante.
From the trailhead (with WC) observe the trail because it winds alongside the highest of the canyon wall. Then observe the cairns as they drop diagonally down the canyon wall. Watch out because the rock generally is a little slippery.
The trail then descends throughout the sand to the underside of the canyon. (Marked with black dot on map above).
Flip left and discover Dry Fork Narrows. This canyon is wider than the others and simpler to stroll alongside. Head so far as you need earlier than returning.
Subsequent discover Peekaboo Slot Canyon. This can be a nice slot canyon, however the problem is getting in. The doorway is a 12-foot scramble up a rocky wall. Some steps have been carved into the rock, however it’s nonetheless tough. As soon as inside stroll on the sweeping partitions, crouch below the arches, and navigate the cylindrical pockets.
Lastly discover Spooky Slot Canyon. This isn’t one for the claustrophobic. The slick rock partitions get tighter and tighter, making it increasingly troublesome to maneuver. At one level it’s simply 10 inches extensive.
PEEKABOO + SPOOKY LOOP
You may stroll Peekaboo and Spooky individually (out and again) or mix them in a 1.7-mile loop. In case you select the loop, park authorities ask all hikers to stroll in a single route. Head up Peekaboo, then after exiting on the prime, observe the cairns to the highest entrance to Spooky, then stroll again down Spooky into the principle canyon.
Remember that halfway down Spooky Canyon there’s a 10-foot drop aided by a rope, should you don’t fancy it, you possibly can keep away from it by doing every canyon as a person hike.
Permit 2 hours for the drive there and again and three to 4 hours to discover the canyons. Don’t try if rain is forecast as slot canyons might be harmful.
GRAND STAIRCASE
8. KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK
Kodachrome Basin State Park ($10 per car) is thought for its distinctive sandstone chimneys and spires that rise as much as 170 ft within the air. The rock is a putting mixture of purple, orange, pink and white. The colourful colors lead the Nationwide Geographic Society to call the park after the favored Kodak color movie.
Merely drive across the park and cease at whichever formation seize your consideration.
Strictly talking Kodachrome State Park is just not in Grand Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument, however it’s surrounded by it on all sides so it could as effectively be.
GRAND STAIRCASE
9. DRIVE COTTONWOOD CANYON ROAD
The one affordable street that cuts throughout the Grand Staircase from north to south is THE 46-mile-long Cottonwood Canyon Highway. It’s a good way to get between Freeway 12 and Freeway 89 with out finishing a giant loop of motorways.
From Freeway 12 it begins as a paved street, however as soon as it passes Kodachrome Basin State Park it turns to gravel.
The surroundings alongside the 90-minute journey is great and may often be accomplished in a 2WD automotive (though not after rain when it’s impassable even in a 4×4).
You should definitely cease at Grosvenor Arch, a double arch a brief detour from the principle Cottonwood Canyon Highway.
GRAND STAIRCASE
10. COYOTE BUTTES NORTH
Simply over the southern border of Grand Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument is Coyote Buttes North. Formally a part of the Praia Canyon – Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness it has two distinctive sights.
BUCKSKIN GULCH
Buckskin Gulch is the longest and deepest slot canyon within the Southwest and affords obstacles like ladders, rock jams, quicksand, and swimming pools. It’s 1.7 miles from Wire Go Trailhead to the doorway to the gulch. Merely stroll into the gulch for as lengthy and so far as you possibly can earlier than turning round. Day Allow required, often obtainable on-line on the day.
THE WAVE
The Wave is a mesmerising geological formation of undulating swirling patterns within the sandstone rock. Footage of it look actually staggering. Sadly, entry is extraordinarily restricted and also you have to be very fortunate to get a allow. We utilized 5 occasions with out success.
There’s a sophisticated lottery round 4 months upfront and a each day lottery 1 day upfront. Strive your luck on blm.gov and In case you handle to get a allow, please ship us a photograph!
PERMITS
There isn’t a payment to enter the Grand Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument and no permits are required for day journeys into the park. In case you intend to spend the night time tenting within the monument you will have a Backcountry Tenting Allow.
Permits are required to hike in Coyote Buttes North.
GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE VISITOR CENTER
It’s a good suggestion for first-time guests to go to one of many 4 guests’ facilities within the park. Ask about street, path, and climate situations particularly should you plan to hike within the slot canyons and drive the backcountry roads.
There are useful maps that may be picked up outdoors the guests’ centres, even when it’s closed.
The guests’ centres are at Massive Water, Cannonville, Escalante and Kanab.
WHEN TO VISIT
One of the best time to go to Grand Staircase Escalante are within the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Could, June, and September have the least quantity of rain making these months the very best time to hike within the slot canyons.
In July and August, temperatures usually attain 95 – 105°F making day hikes and exploration difficult.
In winter the area is chilly and windy with temperatures going under freezing. Snow can cowl the upper elevation areas and with elevated rain lots of the unpaved roads are unpassable.
WHERE TO STAY
Many of the points of interest in Grand Staircase Escalante are finest accessed from Freeway 12 within the northern part of the Nationwide Monument. Probably the most handy base is Escalante City which has a fuel station, just a few eating places, a grocery retailer, outfitters, RV park, and a bar.
Listed here are a few lodge suggestions.
OUR PICK
ESCALANTE TOWN
THE INN OF ESCALANTE
Giant comfy adult-only rooms within the centre of city. The proprietor, Tom, was filled with tall tales, and useful recommendation for the day forward.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU HAVE TICKETS FOR THE WAVE
If you’re fortunate sufficient to get a allow for The Wave, keep in both Kanab or Web page.
To do the wave, you must bodily attend a Bureau of Land Administration Workplace to choose up your allow and watch a security briefing. These centres are in Kanab and Web page and each are round 1 hour’s drive from the trailhead.
WHERE NEXT AFTER ESCALANTE
Grand Staircase Escalante is subsequent to five gorgeous Nationwide Parks in Utah generally known as the Mighty 5. All might be explored on a beautiful 2-week US street journey that features Las Vegas, Grand Canyon & Monument Valley.
Listed here are our suggestions on the way to see all of it:
