If you’re looking for an epic desert adventure destination, then look no further than Escalante, Utah. From slot canyons, to funky geologic formations, to scenic drives, Escalante is chockfull of unique things to do. I make a point to visit the area at least once a year and this guide shares what I consider to be 15 of the best things to do in Escalante.
Many of the hikes and outdoor activities in this guide are located within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which is the largest national monument in the U.S. The town of Escalante is located along Scenic Byway 12 in Southern Utah, but it’s fairly geographically isolated. There are a lot of remote areas to explore around Escalante, which is why it’s important to research and be prepared before making the trip out.
Table of Contents: Best Things to Do in Escalante, Utah
- Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls
- Explore Devils Garden
- Go Backpacking in Coyote Gulch
- Squeeze Through Peek-a-boo and Spooky Slot Canyons
- Drive Over Hell’s Backbone
- Dine at Hell’s Backbone Grill
- Hike to Upper Calf Creek Falls
- Get Coffee at Kiva Koffehouse
- Stay at Ofland Escalante
- Hike to Escalante Natural Bridge
- Drive the Burr Trail Road
- Walk Through Singing Canyon
- Hike to the Cosmic Ashtray
- Get Pizza at Escalante Outfitters
- Hike or Backpack the Boulder Mail Trail
Recreating Responsibly in Escalante, Utah
Before I dive into the best things to do in Escalante, I want to discuss how to recreate responsibly while in the area. Adventuring in the desert comes with some special considerations in terms of staying safe and minimizing your environmental impact. Here are some tips to help you explore Escalante, Utah responsibly:
Leave No Trace
The 7 Leave No Trace principles provide guidance to help you minimize your impact when hiking or exploring outdoors. The principles include:
- Plan ahead & prepare. Hiking in the desert comes with unique considerations, so make sure you research your adventures ahead of time, check the weather, carry enough water and a map, and dress appropriately. Also make sure you have the right type of vehicle for the places you plan to explore.
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces. Stay on trails or other durable surfaces like slickrock, sand, and washes.
- Dispose of waste properly. Pack out all waste and trash, including food scraps, pet waste, and human waste.
- Leave what you find. Don’t carve into, take, or stack rocks or other natural objects. Respect archaeological sites by never touching petroglyphs or dwelling sites. Damaging an archaeological site on public lands, even accidentally, is a federal crime.
- Minimize campfire impacts. Check for fire bans and practice campfire safety. This means creating campfires in an existing fire ring; making sure the fire is attended; and making sure the fire is out completely before leaving (stir the ashes until they are cool to the touch).
- Respect wildlife. Never feed wildlife. Make sure to maintain a safe distance from wildlife.
- Be considerate of others. Wear headphones instead of blasting music over a bluetooth speaker on the trail. Remember uphill hikers have the right of way.
The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Don’t bust the crust!
A lot of the land around Escalante is covered in biological soil crust, otherwise known as cryptobiotic soil. Cryptobiotic soil plays a critical role in preventing erosion and is extremely delicate. It can take years to decades to recover from damage, so it’s important to stay on developed trails, or travel over durable surfaces like dry washes or slickrock, to avoid busting the crust!
Stay Slot Canyon Safe
Before you head out on a slot canyon hike, it’s incredibly important to be prepared and know the risks of exploring slot canyons. The slot canyons included in this guide are considered non-technical, which means that you don’t need a rope, harness, and helmet. However, you will have to scramble and navigate through very tight spaces.
Flash floods are the biggest risk when exploring a slot canyon and can be triggered from rain MILES away from where you’re hiking. Even if there are blue skies above you, if you see storm clouds in the distance or there’s rain is in the forecast anywhere in the vicinity, you should avoid entering a slot canyon. Flash floods are usually most common during monsoon season in the summer, but can happen anytime there’s rain.
Best Things to Do in Escalante, Utah
1. Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls
Located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Lower Calf Creek Falls is easily one of the most popular hikes in Southern Utah. Once you hike it, it’s easy to understand why. The trail takes you through a scenic canyon alongside a creek before reaching the star of the hike, Lower Calf Creek Falls.
This towering 126 ft. waterfall truly feels like an oasis in the desert. You can swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall, but prepare for the water to be cold. The trail itself is pretty mellow and very easy to navigate since the trail is so heavily trafficked. This is a very popular area, so it’s extra important to stay on the trail to avoid impacting the surrounding environment.
Read my complete guide to hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls for more details!
Trail Stats for Lower Calf Creek Falls
- Trailhead Location: Google maps
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Moderate-difficult. Lower Calf Creek Falls is extremely popular. The BLM recently expanded the parking area, however spaces are still limited and can fill up.
- Distance: 6 miles (out-and-back)
- Elevation Gain: 530 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate (4-5/10)
- Estimated Hike Time: 2-3 hours
- Fee: Parking is $5/vehicle or use an America the Beautiful or other federal recreation pass.
- Dog-Friendly?: Yes, dogs should be kept on-leash.
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Year-round
- AllTrails Link
2. Explore Devils Garden
Devils Garden is located down Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The drive down Hole-in-the-Rock Road is pretty rough and washboarded, which is why it’s not included on its own as one of the best things to do in Escalante, but it provides access to a lot of great attractions.
Devils Garden is a great family-friendly area to explore, especially if you have young kids. You’ll find lots of unique sandstone rock formations here, including hoodoos and natural arches. There isn’t one particular trail in the area, so you can explore as much or as little as you’d like, just stick to hiking on sand and rock.
Devils Garden Trail Stats
- Trailhead Location: Google Maps
- Bathrooms?: There is a pit toilet at the trailhead.
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy. There’s plenty of parking available and people tend to come and go regularly.
- Distance: ~1 mile out-and-back unless you choose to hike further
- Elevation Gain: <100 ft.
- Difficulty: Very easy (1-2/10)
- Estimated Hike Time: 30 minutes-1 hour
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- AllTrails Link
3. Go Backpacking in Coyote Gulch
Coyote Gulch is an extremely scenic canyon in Southern Utah, known for its stunning geologic features like towering walls, waterfalls, and natural arches. It’s accessible from multiple trailheads off of Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Many backpackers begin from Forty Mile Ridge Road, which allows you to drop down the “Sneaker Route” to Jacob Hamblin Arch before hiking through Coyote Gulch and looping back up the Crack-in-the-Wall.
Because Coyote Gulch is such a remote and ecologically unique area, there are special regulations here. All pets and fires are strictly prohibited. Human waste MUST be packed out using either a portable toilet or WAG bag. When I backpacked through Coyote Gulch there was a composting toilet near Big Spring Alcove, but there was no toilet paper available.
Read my in-depth guide for backpacking Coyote Gulch for more trail information!
Coyote Gulch Trail Stats
- Trailhead Location: Google Maps
- Bathrooms? There is a pit toilet at the trailhead
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy-moderate. The parking lot has a decent number of parking spots available, but this is the lot where most day hikers park, so they may fill up. Even if the parking lot is full you should still be able to find a safe place to park along the road.
- Distance: 16 mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 3,400 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate-difficult for an overnight trip.
- Permits/Fees: Free, self-issued permit required. You can get one at the trailhead
- Dog-Friendly: No!
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring & fall
- AllTrails Link
4. Squeeze Through Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons
For a challenging and adventurous slot canyon hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, look no further than Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons. The trail begins at the Dry Fork Narrows trailhead and takes you through Dry Fork Narrows to the entrance of Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon (note: this is a completely different slot canyon than Peekaboo Slot Canyon near Kanab!).
From there you’ll climb into Peek-a-Boo Slot Sanyon, pop out on the other side, and drop back down into Spooky Slot Canyon. While these are non-technical slot canyons, there is a lot of scrambling required to complete the loop.
Be aware, portions of Spooky Slot Canyon are extremely narrow. There is a post at the trailhead that you can practice sliding though to make sure that you can safely complete the hike. If you’re not comfortable with tight spaces or scrambling, just hiking through Dry Fork Narrows is a scenic hike in itself.
Trail Stats for Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons
- Trailhead Location: Google maps
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy-moderate. There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, but be prepared for a bumpy drive down Hole-in-the-Rock Road!
- Distance: 6 miles (lollipop loop)
- Elevation Gain: 650 ft.
- Difficulty: Difficult (7.5-8.5/10)
- Estimated Hike Time: 3-4 hours
- Fee: None
- Dog-Friendly?: No
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring-fall. Be aware of flash flood risks during monsoon season in the summer!
- AllTrails Link
5. Drive Over Hell’s Backbone
If you’re looking for a scenic drive near Escalante then head up and over Hell’s Backbone to Boulder, Utah. The main attraction on this drive is the “backbone,” which is a narrow hogback section with steep dropoffs on both sides and stunning views of the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness. Plan for the drive to take about 2 hours.
The majority of the road is gravel, but there are a few paved sections, including the backbone, which also has guardrails. The road is usually accessible for passenger vehicles, unless it has rained recently. Driving over Hell’s Backbone is a great activity if you’re visiting during warmer months, since it’s higher in elevation than the surrounding desert. You can also detour to nearby lakes.
6. Dine at Hell’s Backbone Grill
Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm is a can’t-miss restaurant in Boulder (and honestly it’s worth planning a trip for on its own). They serve up seasonal, organic, and locally sourced cuisine, with many ingredients grown on their own farm. All of the food is incredible, but I highly recommend saving room for dessert (the dark magic pear gingerbread and salted chocolate chunk cookie are my favorites).
Even though the restaurant is located in Boulder, Utah, which is about a 40 minute drive from Escalante via Scenic Byway 12, it is worth the trip. Reservations can be hard to come by, so make sure to plan your trip in advance.
7. Hike to Upper Calf Creek Falls
While Lower Calf Creek Falls gets most of the attention, it isn’t the only waterfall hike worth checking out in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The trail to Upper Calf Creek Falls drops down into a slickrock canyon where you can hike to both the top and bottom of this beautiful desert waterfall.
The trail is much steeper than the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, but it also sees less traffic so it’s a great option to get away from the crowds. Please respect the restoration area at the base of Upper Calf Creek Falls. There’s a great viewpoint under an overhang to the right of the waterfall.
Check out my complete guide to hiking to Upper Calf Creek Falls!
Trail Stats for Upper Calf Creek Falls
- Trailhead Location: Google maps
- Bathrooms? There currently isn’t a bathroom available at the trailhead.
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy-moderate. It can be easy to miss the turnoff for the Upper Calf Creek Falls trailhead from the highway, but there are a decent number of parking spaces once you reach the parking area.
- Distance: 2.2 miles (out-and-back)
- Elevation Gain: 600 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate (5-6/10)
- Estimated Hike Time: 1-2 hours
- Fee: None
- Dog-Friendly?: Yes
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring and fall
- AllTrails Link
8. Get Coffee at Kiva Koffehouse
Kiva Koffeehouse in Escalante, Utah is easily one of the most scenic coffee shops in Southern Utah, if not the entire U.S. It’s located right along Scenic Byway 12 between Escalante and Boulder, which makes it the perfect pit stop to grab delicious drink and tasty treat. Kiva Koffehouse is open seasonally on Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00am to 4:00pm, so try to plan your travels accordingly.
9. Stay at Ofland Escalante
Ofland Escalante (formerly known as Yonder Escalante) is Escalante’s premier luxury glamping resort and, in my opinion, the best place to stay in town. They offer cabins, airstreams, and campsites, so there’s something for every type of traveler and budget.
In addition to unique accommodations, Ofland Escalante also provides unique amenities, including a drive-in movie theater complete with vintage cars, a communal kitchen and lounge, as well as luxury outdoor showers, a pool, and on-site food truck. This is a great place to basecamp out of while exploring the Escalante area. Read my complete review of Ofland Escalante!
Book your stay at Ofland Escalante!
10. Hike to Escalante Natural Bridge
The Escalante River Trailhead is a popular starting point for hikers looking to explore along the Escalante River. You can technically hike as far as you want in the canyon (it’s a popular area for backpacking too), but many day hikers opt to hike to Escalante Natural Bridge.
The bridge is tucked back along the wall of the canyon, so make sure you download a map so you don’t miss it. You have to cross the Escalante River a couple of times along the trail, which makes this a great hike to do when it’s warm out or if you’re hiking with dogs.
Escalante Natural Bridge Trail Stats
- Trailhead Location: Google Maps
- Bathrooms?: There is a pit toilet at the trailhead.
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Difficult. The trailhead has limited parking available and this is a popular starting point for day hikes and backpacking trips. Many people end up parking along the highway, but make sure you’re completely off the road if you have to do this.
- Distance: ~4.5 miles out-and-back unless you hike further
- Elevation Gain: ~300 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy (2.5-3.5/10)
- Estimated Hike Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Dog-friendly: Yes
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring, summer, and fall
- AllTrails Link
11. Drive the Burr Trail Road
The Burr Trail Road is technically located in Boulder (it actually begins right by Hell’s Backbone Kitchen), but it is my favorite scenic drive in Southern Utah, which is why I had to include it here. It connects the town of Boulder with the Waterpocket Fold district of Capitol Reef National Park taking you through stunning red rock canyons and desert landscapes along the way. There’s a campground located along the road, in addition to dispersed camping.
The majority of the Burr Trail Road is paved until you reach the boundary of Capitol Reef. You don’t have to drive all the way there to see the most scenic sections of the road, but if you do you can experience the infamous Burr Trail Switchbacks.
12. Walk Through Singing Canyon
Singing Canyon is a hidden slot canyon located along the Burr Trail Road. As its name suggests, this slot canyon offers incredible acoustics, thanks to its soaring red rock walls and natural amphitheater-like setting. It’s accessible with a quick and easy 10-minute walk from the parking area, making this a great slot canyon for folks of all ages.
13. Hike to the Cosmic Ashtray
The Cosmic Ashtray is a truly unique hidden gem near Escalante (it’s also where I got engaged!). There are 2 ways that you can access it – a long drive with a short hike, or a shorter (and easier) drive with a long, difficult hike.
The easier hike to the Cosmic Ashtray requires a high-clearance ,4×4 vehicle because it involves driving down Harris Wash, which is an extremely sandy road. If you don’t have the right vehicle AND experience driving through deep sand, I would skip this route. From the parking area it’s a relatively short hike up slickrock hills to the Cosmic Ashtray.
The other way to get to the Cosmic Ashtray is via an 8.3-mile trek through the desert via the “Volcano Trail.” This is a very challenging hike and I only recommend this route if you have experience hiking in the desert and strong navigational skills. If you’re not confident in making the trip on your own, you can always hire a guide!
Trail Stats for the Cosmic Ashtray
*Note: These stats are for the longer hike.
- Trailhead Location: Google Maps
- Bathrooms?: There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Moderate-difficult. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended to get out to the Spencer Flats trailhead. Spots are somewhat limited.
- Distance: ~8 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: ~800 ft.
- Difficulty: Difficult (8-9/10)
- Estimated Hike Time: 4-5 hours
- Fee: None
- Dog-Friendly?: Yes, however I would not recommend doing the longer hike with dogs unless they have experience with desert hiking and you pack plenty of water.
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Fall, winter, and spring
- All Trails Link
14. Get Pizza at Escalante Outfitters
If you’re looking to grab a post-hike meal in Escalante, I highly recommend going to Escalante Outfitters for some fresh pizza. The food is delicious and you can also shop at the attached outdoor gear shop while you wait. Be aware, Escalante Outfitters, like most restaurants in Escalante, is closed during the winter.
15. Hike or Backpack the Boulder Mail Trail
The Boulder Mail Trail is one of the most epic and remote hiking destinations in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This 15-mile point-to-point hike takes you from Escalante to Boulder (or vice versa) through the most gorgeous desert terrain I’ve ever seen.
Most people who complete the Boulder Mail Trail opt to backpack it to spend extra time in Death Hollow, which is the star of the hike. However, it can also be completed as a very long and very difficult day hike if you have the stamina, which is how I hiked the trail. This is an extremely remote and challenging hike that is not for beginners, but it’s an epic bucket list trail if you’re looking for a big adventure near Escalante.
Check out my complete guide to day hiking the Boulder Mail Trail!
Trail Stats for Boulder Mail Trail
- Trailhead Location:
- Boulder: Google Maps
- Escalante: Google Maps
- Bathrooms?: There are no bathrooms at either trailhead.
- Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy-moderate. The road out to both trailheads is dirt, but should be passable by passenger cars with careful driving.
- Distance: ~15 miles (I logged exactly 16 miles, but things were definitely off going through Death Hollow)
- Elevation Gain: 2,575 ft.
- Difficulty: Very difficult day hike (9-10/10)
- Estimated Hike Time: 6-9 hours (It took my husband and I 7 hours and we were moving quickly on the trail.)
- Dog-Friendly: Technically yes, but given how long and difficult the trail is I wouldn’t recommend it for dogs.
- Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring (March-May) and Fall (late September-November)
- AllTrails Link
Want More Travel Recommendations for Escalante and Southern Utah?
My Southern Utah Road Trip and Travel Guide shares over 145 things to do across Southern Utah, including hikes, scenic viewpoints, places to camp, restaurant recommendations, and more. The guide comes with an interactive map and sample itineraries to make it easy to plan the ultimate road trip!
Where to Stay in Escalante, Utah
- Ofland Escalante (pet-friendly)
- Canyon Country Lodge (NOT pet-friendly)
- The INN of Escalante (NOT pet-friendly)
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