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Escalante, Utah is a tiny town between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park along the gorgeous Scenic Route 12. Escalante has a ton of hidden gems for road trippers visiting Utah’s more popular Mighty 5 National Parks including waterfall hikes, scenic drives, and slot canyons.
If you’re coming from Bryce Canyon National Park to the west, be sure to make your first stop at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center. They have a large map of attractions in the area and suggestions on what to do depending on how much time you have. The premier attraction in Escalante is the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, which is absolutely massive compared to the more popular national parks nearby. No matter what things you do in Escalante, if you love the outdoors you’re bound to have an awesome time!
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park sits just down the road from the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center. The state park is named for the large amount of petrified wood that can be found there. Petrification is the process of turning wood into stone, resulting in a host of marine and plant life fossils. There are even some dinosaur fossils that have been found and a 50 foot log of petrified wood on display. If fossils aren’t your thing, there is also a lake where you can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards and if you’re visiting in the summer, you can camp here. For more information about camping check out the Utah State Park website.
Upper Calf Creek Falls
Submitted by Ann Tolman of Ann Plans Travel
No trip to Escalante is complete without a visit to the Upper Falls of Calf Creek. The upper falls is the perfect escape from the crowded area below, especially during peak tourist season. The hike itself is extremely steep and requires both hands and skill to navigate along the trail. The Upper Falls hike should only be attempted by groups without young children who can climb up the steep path without assistance. For young families, the lower falls is the perfect destination as the hike is mostly flat.
The Upper Falls is a peaceful oasis unlike any other. Complete with a small waterfall pouring into the swimming hole below. Jump in the clear blue water to cool off or head up to the rocky ledge above to jump down into the water. There are plenty of spots to lay out for a tan or find a tree nearby to eat your lunch or take a much-needed nap. The Upper Falls trailhead is located on the south end of Hogsback on Highway 12. It really is straight magic up there. Have fun!
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Lower Calf Creek Falls was possibly my favorite hike during our 2 week Mighty 5 Utah National Park road trip. This 6 mile out and back hike isn’t overly strenuous (although it is a bit difficult walking through some deep sand) and leads to a gorgeous 126 foot waterfall. I personally am a huge fan of waterfalls and love finding them on our hikes, but this one was truly a special treat.
If it was warmer we might have dared to dip our toes in, but it was quite breezy and cold November day and for a while we had this beautiful secluded spot all to ourselves. This is not the norm, however, and Lower Calf Creek Falls can get extremely busy at other times of the year. Plan ahead and visit early in the day or during the week during peak season in hopes the trail (and more importantly parking lot) isn’t overly crowded.
Devil’s Garden
Off of Scenic Route 12 right near Escalante lies a dirt road called Hole-in-the-Rock Road. It’s quite a bumpy ride so I recommend a 4WD vehicle and to exercise caution if there is possible flooding. Not too far down the road sits a playground of mushroom shaped rock formations referred to as Devil’s Garden (not to be confused with Devil’s Garden in Arches National Park).
Many of the national parks urge you to stay on marked trails, but here you are free to wander among the interesting rocks while Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument towers in the background. A word of caution, there is little to no shade here and even in November it was quite warm; I can definitely see why it’s called Devil’s Garden due to how hot it gets among the rocks. There were also picnic tables if you want to grab lunch before heading on to your next adventure.
Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons
If you are looking for a more adventurous experience, head farther down Hole-in-the-Rock Road to the Peekaboo and Spooky slot canyons. Some hikers recommend doing both as a 3.5 mile loop, starting with Peekaboo first and continuing on through Spooky. However, be prepared for openings only 10 inches wide a some areas, a 12 foot climb to enter Peekaboo Gulch, and some areas wading through water and mud. It may only be a few miles but do not underestimate these canyons.
Making your way through the canyons does not require any technical gear but does require a good bit of scrambling and route finding skills. Because of this, it’s best to leave bulky backpacks, children, and dogs at home and beware of flash flooding and rattlesnakes common to the region. As long as you’re prepared with the right gear, a full tank of gas, lots of water, and snacks you’ll be ready for a truly unforgettable adventure.
Hell’s Backbone Scenic Drive
Submitted by Megan Johnson of Red Around the World
Hell’s Backbone is one of the best scenic drives in Southern Utah and the perfect addition to a visit to Escalante. It takes you from Escalante to Boulder by going over Boulder Mountain instead of through Grand Staircase Escalante. To do the entire drive, it is about 25 miles and takes 2-3 hours depending on how much you stop. Add 6 miles if you stop at Posey Lake (which you should).
The beginning and end of the road are paved, but the middle is dirt. Most cars should be fine on here, but if it is rainy or has been recently, you may need 4 wheel drive. Some spots can get a little sandy, but most of it is fine. You’ll be driving slower to take in the scenery but also because the road is pretty twisty. I would recommend Dramamine if you get carsick.
Make sure you stop at the Hell’s Backbone Bridge to admire the views of the canyon 1,500 feet below. This is one of my favorite views in Utah and I’ve seen a lot of them. The bridge is 109 feet long and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. There aren’t many official hiking trails along the drive, but there are tons of Geocaches to look for. No matter if you take Hell’s Backbone or Highway 12 through Escalante, you’ll be in for some of those most scenic drives in the state.
Where to Stay in Escalante, Utah
Because it’s such a small town, there are relatively few options for places to stay in Escalante, Utah. We chose to stay in one of the cabins at Escalante Cabins and RV Park right on the edge of town. It was slightly more pricey than some of the places we stayed, but it was worth it for the charm of a clean a beautifully furnished room, and a gift basket full of scones for breakfast. Besides the options for camping, there are also a few other locations including the Inn of Escalante and Canyon Country Lodge.
No matter where you decide to stay and what you do in Escalante, you’re bound to have a fantastic time! What hidden gems are we missing from this list? Let us know in the comments.
