Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Understand

History

First explored by Spanish priests seeking a route from Santa Fe to the California missions, this area of southern Utah remains one of the most sparsely populated regions in the West. For many years it received only token protection and was not part of the national park system, but threats to develop it for mining and commercial use led the Clinton administration to place it in National Monument status in 1996. This was done without consulting area residents and was not seen favorably in Republican-dominated Utah. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, rather than by the National Park Service.

Landscape

Deep sandstone canyons, surprisingly impressive waterfalls and acres of road-less wilderness. This is a desert lover's paradise.

Flora and fauna

Pinyon Juniper woodlands, desert grasslands and lush riparian areas.

Climate

Summers are hot, highs often reach well over 100 °F. Summer nights are cool and pleasant. Expect afternoon thunderstorms from mid-June to late August. Winters can be cold and windy, with ample amounts of snow. The snow often melts within a few days, turning the dirt roads into mud pits.

Visitor information

• Park website (BLM)

Get in

Fly into Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or Phoenix and rent a car. From Las Vegas take Interstate 15 North or from Salt Lake City take Interstate 15 South. In either case take State Route 14 east from Cedar City to State Route 12 or US 89, which will take you through the Monument. From Phoenix take Interstate 17 North to Flagstaff and then continue north on US 89, which take you into the Monument. Four wheel drive is highly recommended on any but the primary roads, although not strictly necessary.

Fees and permits

Camping is free in unimproved areas.

Get around

There are only two paved roads that travel the width of the monument, Highway 89 to the south and Highway 12 to the north. There are several dirt roads that bisect the monument from north to south, such as Cottonwood Canyon Road and Skumtumpah Road, both which offer and treasure of slot canyons and hiking. Hole in the Rock Road offers access to the heart of Escalante and numerous trailheads, however it comes to a dead end at the north rim of the Colorado River. The dirt roads in the area can become impassable when wet due to the clay.

Stay safe

Do not hike in slot canyons when there is any threat of rain. Flash floods are common during the summer and are extremely dangerous.

Go next

• You can get to the adjacent Glen Canyon National Recreation Area practically without noticing it, although this does require some seriously difficult driving (and possibly some overland desert hiking)
• Zion National Park the most visited of all Utah's National Parks
• Bryce Canyon National Park at the edge of the Grand Staircase but not within the boundaries of the monument. Bryce Canyon is one of those places that has jaw dropping beauty
• The Grand Canyon (North Rim) - although part of the geological make-up (the bottom layer) of the Grand Staircase, is not within the boundaries of the monument. One of the seven wonders of the world. This rim is the more spectacular of the rims, but its rustic setting keeps visitors to a minimum when compared to the commercial and populated South Rim.
• Cedar Breaks National Monument - often considered to be a top riser in the geography of the Grand Staircase, although the boundaries are not within the monument. This is a spectacular monument that rivals Bryce Canyon National Park. It gets less visitors, but its beauty certainly does not pale with the other parks.
• Red Canyon Dixie National Forest
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
• Paria Canyon The Wave! A hot spot for photographers and hikers alike. Although Paria Canyon special permit area is on the edge of the monument it is not part of it.
• Capitol Reef National Park