Can You Backpack Grand Staircase?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is spread across 2 million acres of vast, untamed and diverse terrain, which makes it

an incredible backpacking destination

.

How long does it take to drive through Grand Staircase Escalante?

Skutumpah captures the beauty of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with its rugged 34 mile dirt road that winds past some great slot canyon hiking. Allow

2 hours

to travel the entire distance from Glendale, Utah to Cannonville, Utah.

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

.

Can you camp anywhere in Grand Staircase Escalante?

Just twelve miles north of Page, Arizona on Highway 89 across the Utah border,

Lone Rock Beach is a great open beach where you can drive right up and make camp anywhere you like

.

Why is Escalante called the Grand Staircase?

The monument is also named

for the series of topographic benches and cliffs that, as its name implies, step progressively up in elevation from south to north

. The risers correspond to the benches, terraces, or plateaus in the staircase.

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.

How many days should you spend at Grand Staircase Escalante?

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.

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 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 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 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

.

Is Escalante open?

The The Escalante Canyons National Monument is

open 24 hours a day year-round

.

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 Zebra slot canyon?

Named for it’s striking orange-striped walls, Zebra Slot Canyon is located in

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

, a vast, remote area of Southern Utah.

How do you climb the Coyote Gulch?

The other way to enter Coyote Gulch is to drive past the water tank on Forty Mile Ridge Road and take it to the very end, where you then walk 1.9 miles in a northeast direction and squeeze through Crack-in-the-Wall and then another mile down a huge sand dune which takes you nearly to the confluence of Coyote Gulch and …

Is Capitol Reef worth visiting?

Capitol Reef National Park is Utah’s quieter, smaller and lesser known of the epic Mighty 5 National Parks road trip circuit. But that doesn’t mean

it’s any less worth visiting than the other players in the game

. This one day Capitol Reef National Park itinerary will help you plan your trip to perfection.

How old is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument?

Depending on where you stand, Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument has been quietly doing its thing for

between 275 million and 50 million years

.

How big was the Grand Staircase on the Titanic?

The Grand Staircase,

sixteen feet wide

, extends over sixty feet and serves seven decks, five of which are also reached by the Three Electric Passenger Elevators.

Is Bryce Canyon part of Grand Staircase Escalante?

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is separated into three distinct districts that cover 1.7 million acres in Utah, connecting it to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.

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 days do you need in Capitol Reef National Park?

If you want to visit the highlights of Capitol Reef and spend some time venturing into the backcountry, you will need

at least three days

in Capitol Reef. With one day in Capitol Reef, you can explore the sights along Highway 24, drive Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, and do one or two hikes.

Can you drive in Bryce Canyon National Park?


You can take your own vehicle on the scenic drive at any time, although use of the shuttle is recommended

. Just outside the entrance to the park, American Car Care Center & Bryce Canyon Towing (tel. 435/835-5232) is a full-service station, with gasoline and diesel fuel.

How long is Buckskin Gulch?

The route goes through a beautiful slot that runs continuously for about

15 miles

. (It may very well be the longest slot canyon in the world). It is deep, dark and narrow, with plenty of obstacles to make it fun. It is not a technical hike, but is rated as strenuous because of its length.

Is Scenic Byway 12 worth it?

Rated among the top ten Scenic Byways in America by Car and Driver magazine, Scenic Byway 12 is

a unique route well worth traveling

. It winds through slickrock canyons, red rock cliffs, pine and aspen forests, alpine mountains, national parks, state parks, a national monument, and quaint rural towns.

How long is Scenic Byway 12? 122.9 mi

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.