About Escalante Park

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a dramatic, multi-hued landscape that is rich in natural and human history. Extending across 1.9 million acres of Utah public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Monument represents a unique combination of archaeological, historical, paleontological, geological, and biological resources. These strikingly beautiful and scientifically important lands are divided into three distinct regions: the Grand Staircase, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Canyons of the Escalante.

The Grand Staircase--A Museum of Earth History The cream- and rose-colored cliffs of Navajo sandstone pictured here are the third in a series of great geological steps that ascend northward across the southwest corner of the Monument. This Grand Staircase-the Chocolate, Vermilion, White, Gray, and Pink Cliffs--spans five different life zones from Sonoran desert to coniferous forests. It is a masterpiece of geological and biological diversity. Geologist Clarence Dutton described what he termed a grand stairway of sequential cliffs and terraces in his Report of the Geology of the High Plateaus of Utah (1880).

The Canyons of the Escalante--Wonders in Water and Stone The Escalante River cascades off the southern flank of the Aquarius Plateau, winding through a 1,000-mile maze of interconnected canyons. This magical labyrinth is one of the scenic wonders of the West. Even though Spanish explorer and priest Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante never wet a boot or even saw the river, his is the namesake given by the Powell survey crew that discovered and named the Escalante River in 1872.

The Kaiparowits Plateau--An American Outback A vast wedge-shaped block of mesas and deeply incised canyons towers above the surrounding Canyonlands. The isolated, rugged plateau is a refuge for wildlife, rare plants, and a few adventure-ready individuals equipped to handle profound solitude and uncompromising wild country. "The Kaiparowits was the name for a point near the north end of the plateau so we decided to call the whole mountain by that name," wrote A. H. Thompson. It is a Paiute name meaning "Big Mountain’s Little Brother." Many sites from prehistoric cultures have been recorded on the Plateau. Many more are preserved for future study.

All American Hwy 12 and Scenic Byway 89 - Enjoy the scenic turnouts and spurs from these routes, which provide access to many of the outstanding recreational spots within Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument.

Bryce Canyon Visit this incredible national park, which offers scenic overlooks, towering spires, hoodoos and fins, and marvelous hikes through fairyland landscapes.

Calf Creek Falls Hike the easy trail to the lower falls, or the short but intense trail to the upper falls.

Canyons of the Escalante This maze of rugged cliffs and canyons offers some of the most remote and rugged wild countries in America.

Burr Trail Drive this extremely scenic road, which stretches from Lake Powell up through Capitol Reef and to the town of Boulder.

Hole in the Rock Road Drive this rough dirt road, which provides access to incredible areas like Devils Garden and Dance Hall Rock, and hikes like Peek-a-boo, Spooky and Coyote gulches. Also, consider driving the rough Smoky Mountain Road or various 4X4 routes across the Kaiparowits Plateau.

Anasazi Indian State Park Explore this restored ancient Indian village, located in the scenic hamlet of Boulder.

Escalante State Park Enjoy this park, which features a petrified forest, fossilized dinosaur bones, camping and a reservoir for boating and fishing.

Brian Head In winter, ski or snowboard at this full-service resort. In summer, challenge one of the area’s rugged bike trails; you can also pedal or hike leisurely along forest trails.

Fish Boulder Mountain And camp at any of several developed campgrounds located high in the forest. The East Fork the Sevier River, Tropic Reservoir, Wide Hollow Reservoir, and Lake Powell also provide excellent fishing in this region.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument This geologic wonder consists of three major sections; Escalante Canyons, Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Grand Staircase, a huge area of pink, gray, white and vermilion cliffs beginning at the Grand Canyon and ending at this national monument.

Calf Creek Falls Part of the Calf Creek Recreation Area, Calf Creek Falls is located along Scenic HWY 12. The trail is a 6-mile roundtrip, self-guided hike to the base of a magnificent 126-foot Lower Calf Creek Falls.

Canyons of the Escalante A maze of sandstone cliffs, slot canyons and plateaus brings visitors to the Canyons of the Escalante on a regular basis. The Canyon of the Escalante is a natural basin surrounded by areas of the Colorado Plateau.

Escalante State Park A small lake for boating and fishing and extensive petrified wood signify the variety of scenery available at Escalante State Park. A great bird watching and hiking area, Escalante provides plenty of recreational opportunities.

Boulder Mountain Region A gateway to many of the national parks, the Boulder Mountain region is a great place for adventure and fun. Multiple recreational opportunities abound including fishing, backpacking, hiking, and camping.

Ancient Native American Sites The ancient Anasazi people left amazing rock art and stone buildings scattered throughout this area. Stop by Anasazi Village State Park for an introduction to the Anasazi culture, and for specific information about places where you can find relics in the backcountry.

Boulder Mountain Lodge A crossing point between two different worlds, Boulder Mountain Lodge offers the rustic, but elegant atmosphere of the Utah badlands. With central and adjoining buildings, it provides relaxation and adventure, along with classically elegant rooms.

Off-Road An extensive network of off-road trails can be found throughout the Grand Staircase-Escalante region. Among the more popular trails are Burr Trail and Hole in the Rock. Off-road visitors should check road and weather conditions before proceeding.

Skiing and Snowboarding - Brian Head Resort Located less than two hours north of Kanab via all-weather state highways 89 and 143, the resort has over 400 inches of annual snowfall, 500 skiable acres, 53 runs, a 1,707 ft. vertical drop, plenty of backcountries and a lift-assisted tubing park. Generally open from mid-November - mid-April for skiing; Mountain Bike Park is open from July 1 - October

Hiking Great hiking encircles the Grand Staircase-Escalante area with prominent destinations such as the Escalante River Area, Calf Creek Falls, and the Paria Canyon/River.

Fly-fishing The lakes and streams on and around Boulder Mountain provide perfect opportunities to fish while also enjoying outstanding scenery. If you seek out the small streams you can enjoy catching spunky, wild trout in some of the most remote areas in the western United States. These streams are fragile and so we encourage catch and release fly fishing. Some Boulder Mountain lakes hold record-sized brook trout.

Horseback Riding The wide open spaces in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument offer exceptional opportunities for horseback riding. Terrain varies from classic western red-rock spires to sand dunes to alpine forests. Do-it-yourselfers find that Kodachrome Basin State Park makes a good base camp; there are great rides in that park and in the surrounding Grand Staircase Monument area. Boulder Mountain Ranch offers guided trail rides to the most scenic spots in Grand Staircase and throughout southern Utah.