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Destination Grand Staircase/Escalante

TOP 10 PLACES RECREATION

Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument includes land with a wide variety of topographical features. This multi-hued landscape landscape can be divided into three regions: The Canyons of Escalante, The Grand Staircase and the Kaiparowits Plateau. Recreational opportunities abound within the vast area included in the monument.

	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. Camp at the developed campground.
	Canyons of the Escalante - This maze of rugged cliffs and canyons offers some of the most remote and rugged wild country 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. 435-826-5499

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. 435-644-4600

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 Canyons of the Escalante is a natural basin surrounded by areas of the Colorado Plateau. 800-444-6689

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. 435-826-4466

Hole-in-the-Rock Area
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.

Indian Ruins
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. 435-826-5499 or 435-644-4600

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 backcountry and a lift assisted tubing park. Generally open from mid-November - mid-April for skiing; Mountain Bike Park is open from July 1 - October 1. Address: PO BOX 190008, Brian Head Utah 84719; 435-677-2035; Lodging information: 435-677-2810.

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.

Flyfishing
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 Kodacrome 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.

Read articles on travels and experiences in the Escalante/Grand-Staircase Destination.

Escalante/ Boulder Region
Escalante
Boulder
Cannonville
Tropic
Bryce Canyon
Torrey

Kanab/Big Water Region
Kanab
Mt. Carmel Junction
Orderville
Glendale
Springdale
Rockville

Check out our travel packages for destination Grand Staircase/Escalante.

Featured Tour Companies:

Escalante Canyon Outfitters
Let horses carry your gear while you explore the Escalante Canyons of Southern Utah on guided hiking trips. Enjoy the area from the comfort of a base camp with delicious meals, hot showers, and challenging day hikes. 888-326-4453

All Grand Staircase Guides

Hell's Backbone Grill at the Boulder Mtn. Lodge* - Regionally based homemade cuisine with southwestern, western, and Pueblo Indian flavors. Located at Boulder Mountain Lodge. 800-556-3446

Kiva Koffee House, located on Highway 12 just south of the town of Boulder, about 60 miles east of Bryce Canyon National Park. 435-826-4550. Offers delicious coffee drinks plus dishes unique to Southwest and Native American cultures.

*Major national restaurant and fast food chains available throughout the area.

Utah's Dining Guide

F° averages

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39/11

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44/17

53/23

63/30

74/38

80/46

77/44

71/36

60/27

44/17

39/12

Check current weather conditions.

Additional information about the Grand Staircase/Escalante region can be obtained by contacting Garfield County Travel Council at 435-676-1160
Escalante/Boulder Chamber of Commerce at 435-826-4810
Kane County Travel Council at 800-733-5263
Canyon Country National Parks website.

Destination Bryce Canyon National Park: From Boulder, proceed west on highway 12. Continue south on state route 63 to Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce, Utah. Distance: 76 miles - 2 hour drive time.

Destination Cedar City: From Boulder, proceed west on state Route 12 to the junction of U.S. 89. Proceed south on U.S. 89 to state Route 14 and continue west on Route 14 to Cedar City. Distance: 148.2 miles - 4 1/4 hour drive time.

Destination Capitol Reef National Park: From Boulder, proceed east on state Route 12. Continue north on state Route 12 to Torrey, Utah. Distance: 38 miles - 1 hour drive time.

Destination Grand Canyon: From Bryce, Utah, proceed north on state Route 63 to state Route 12. Continue west on state Route 12 to the junction of U.S. 89. Proceed south on U.S. 89 to Kanab, Utah. Distance: 55 miles - 1 hour drive time.

Destination Lake Powell: From Big Water, Utah, proceed south on US Route 89 to Page, Arizona. Distance: 18 miles - 30 minute drive time.

Destination Zion National Park: From Boulder, proceed west on state Route 12 to the junction of U.S. 89. Proceed south on U.S. 89 to state Route 9 and continue west on state Route 9 to Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah. Distance: 169 miles - 4 1/2 hour drive time.

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Canyons of the Escalante