Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Stretching across nearly 1.9 million acres of southern Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast, rugged landscape of canyons, plateaus, and cliffs that feels like a geologist's playground. This is one of America's most remote and least-developed national monuments, where solitude and raw nature reign. The monument is divided into three distinct sections: the Grand Staircase, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Escalante Canyons. Here, you can hike into slot canyons, explore dinosaur fossils, and drive along scenic backways that reveal ever-changing rock layers. It's a place for self-reliant adventurers, with few services and endless possibilities for exploration.

Highlights & What to See

• Escalante Canyons: Hike into slot canyons like Spooky Gulch and Peek-a-Boo Canyon, or follow the Escalante River through narrow gorges and waterfalls.
• Calf Creek Falls: A rewarding 6-mile round-trip hike leads to a 126-foot waterfall plunging into a swimming hole – a perfect desert oasis.
• Kodachrome Basin State Park: Just north of the monument, this park features surreal stone chimneys and colorful rock formations that pop against the blue sky.
• Grosvenor Arch: A massive, double-span natural arch located on a dirt road – less crowded than Arches National Park but equally impressive.
• Dinosaur Tracks and Fossils: Near the town of Escalante, you can see real dinosaur footprints and visit the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park.
• Scenic Byway 12: One of America's most beautiful drives, this highway winds through the monument's heart, offering panoramic views of the Grand Staircase.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly experience the monument, plan for at least two to three days. This allows time for a day hike in the Escalante Canyons, a scenic drive along Hole-in-the-Rock Road, and a visit to the visitor centers in Escalante or Cannonville. If you're short on time, a full day can cover a hike to Calf Creek Falls and a drive to Grosvenor Arch, but you'll miss the backcountry magic. For a deeper immersion, consider a multi-day backpacking trip or a guided tour into the Kaiparowits Plateau.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Bryce Canyon National Park: Just an hour north, Bryce's hoodoos are a world apart – combine with the monument for a varied Utah adventure.
• Capitol Reef National Park: Two hours northeast, this park offers more hiking, fruit orchards, and the scenic Waterpocket Fold.
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam are a short drive south, offering boating and houseboat rentals.
• Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim): About three hours south, the remote North Rim is a quieter alternative to the South Rim.
• Moab and Arches National Park: Four hours east, Moab is a hub for hiking, biking, and off-roading, with Arches and Canyonlands nearby.

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