How Long Does It Take To Hike Escalante?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A full

2 – 3 days

is a good start to get to know the area. You can always extend the trip to make time for exploring side canyons along any backpacking trip in Escalante. One of the treasures of Grand Staircase Escalante Monument is hiking the Escalante River, a tributary of the Colorado River.

Can you hike Grand Staircase-Escalante?


A hike along the Escalante River to the Escalante Natural Bridge is a great introductory day hike for getting to know Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

. This hike begins at the Escalante River trailhead, just off Scenic Byway 12 and slightly north of the Boynton Overlook.

How long is the Escalante River trail?

The most common itineraries for backpacking the Escalante River are typically

2 – 5 days and 20 – 40 miles

. You could start from both the Escalante River Trailhead (Highway 12 bridge crossing) or Escalante Town Trailhead (in the town of Escalante).

Is Grand Staircase Escalante worth seeing?

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument sits along Scenic Highway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. It offers some of the best hikes in the state outside of Utah’s infamous Big 5 National Parks.

It is definitely worth spending a day in Grand Staircase Escalante

.

Is Escalante open?

The The Escalante Canyons National Monument is

open 24 hours a day year-round

.

What is Escalante Utah known for?

This part of Southern Utah is famous for its

slot canyons

— twisting, turning narrows carved into the rock by water and wind over the millennia.

Are dogs allowed in Grand Staircase Escalante?

Pets –

Dogs are allowed in most of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

. However, dogs must be leashed on the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail and within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

What is special about Grand Staircase Escalante?

From its spectacular Grand Staircase of cliffs and terraces, across the rugged Kaiparowits Plateau to the wonders of the Escalante River Canyons, the Monument is

a diverse geologic treasure speckled with monoliths, slot canyons, natural bridges, and arches

.

How do you get to the Grand Staircase Escalante?

Grand Staircase is the westernmost section of the monument and is most easily accessed

from Tropic, Cannonville or Henrieville near Kodachrome Basin State Park on Highway 12–also known as Scenic Byway 12– and Kanab or Big Water on U.S. Route 89

.

What makes up the grand staircase?

The Grand Staircase is an immense sequence of

sedimentary rock layers

that stretch south for 100 miles (161 km) from Bryce Canyon National Park through Zion National Park and into the Grand Canyon.

How long does it take to hike Zebra slot canyon?

Try this 5.2-mile out-and-back trail near Escalante, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of

2 h 2 min

to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Do you need a permit for Escalante?

Obtain permits at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center in the town of Escalante or at one of the entry trailheads.

Day use does not require a backcountry permit, but please sign the trail register. Overnight hikes along the Paria River require a permit from the Bureau of Land Management

.

Where is the Escalante River located?

The Escalante River is a tributary of the Colorado River. It is formed by the confluence of Upper Valley and Birch Creeks

near the town of Escalante in south-central Utah

, and from there flows southeast for approximately 90 miles (140 km) before joining Lake Powell.

Where does the Escalante River start?

Lake Powell

How much does it cost to go to Grand Staircase-Escalante?

There is

no entrance fee

to visit Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (435/644-1200). Free permits are required for all overnight backcountry camping or backpacking.

Where is the best view of Grand Staircase-Escalante?

Another of Grand Staircase’s iconic views can be found in

the far southern section of the national monument at Buckskin Gulch

. The 15-mile slot canyon features narrow pathways of rock sculpted by eons of water erosion.

Are bear ears National Park?


Bears Ears National Monument is a United States national monument

located in San Juan County in southeastern Utah, established by President Barack Obama by presidential proclamation on December 28, 2016.

How many acres is Grand Staircase-Escalante?

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument earned its status back in 1996, and covers roughly

1.9 million acres

and pretty much dominates any map of the southern section of the state of Utah.

Are fires allowed in Escalante?

Note that

fires are not permitted in any drainages of the Escalante River and all of its tributaries

. This is the same for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Glen Canyon Recreation Area.

How long is Spooky Gulch?

Individually, the distance to Peek-a-boo Gulch is two miles roundtrip and Spooky Gulch is

just over three miles roundtrip

. Combining the two slot canyons creates a 3.5-mile loop.

What is the elevation of Escalante Utah?

5,820′

Who settled Escalante Utah?

But it was

Mormon pioneers

who put this extremely remote community on the map in 1876. Escalante’s settlers initially came from nearby Panguitch in 1875 to survey and stake out 20-acre parcels of land on a grid system.

Are dogs allowed in Death Hollow?

The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas

. Little Death Hollow is absolutely fun! The slot Canyon (3 feet wide width apart on either side) goes on for several miles.

Is Calf Creek Falls dog friendly?


Yes, dogs are allowed at Lower Calf Creek Falls

! As always, just be sure to pick up after your dog and keep it on a leash. For real – this is usually a crowded trail. Also please note that the trail is very sandy, and extremely hot for your dog in summer weather.

Is Zebra slot canyon dog friendly?


Yes, dogs are allowed

in the Zebra Slot Canyon.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.