Discover Endless Adventure
Attractions & Recreation
Escalante, Utah
We have activities for everyone to enjoy, both adventurous and relaxing. Whether canyoneering the depths of Escalante's slot canyons, hiking the sandstone trails to crystalline waterfalls, or mountain biking through Slickrock territory sounds like your kind of fun, we have it all! For those who want to take a look back in time, come discover the Petrified Wood Forests from a time before history or embrace the majestic vistas of our National and State Parks from behind the lens of your camera, or from the comfort of your car.
From horseback riding, ATV trails, fishing, and just about any other outdoor activity you can think of, the adventures in Southern Utah are endless. Escalante’s Grand Staircase National Monument and its National Park neighbors invite you to explore the wonders of nature at her finest in the Land of the Grand!
Day Tripping
Excursions
Travel the ruggedly spectacular 60-mile Hole in the Rock Road from town to Lake Powell, luring you to explore its unique landmarks like Devil’s Garden, Dancehall Rock, and the Dinosaur Tracks. Descend into the insane terrain of our hidden slot canyons with wild names like Zebra, Tunnel, Egypt, Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch! Plan a canyon excursion with one of the excellent guide companies in town or venture out on your own after some information gathering at our new state-of-the-art Escalante Interagency Visitor Center.
Sightseeing
Not a big hiker… but looking for a full day’s sightseeing and photography adventure? The Escalante area offers several road tours for the day-tripper. Most can be accomplished with a standard passenger vehicle, but if you have an SUV with higher clearance, or rent an ATV, it opens up a world of options on the ‘roads less traveled! Or, tour art galleries and historic pioneer homes, and watch a film at the Hole-In-The-Rock Heritage Center east of town.
Scenic Byways
A magnificent land of contrasts… just a 20-minute scenic drive up the Hell’s Backbone Road takes you up into the high alpine meadows, canyons, lakes, and trails of the Dixie National Forest. In the heat of summer, Boulder Mountain offers a refreshing hiking alternative to the desert floor in the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area. Or, enjoy a lazy afternoon of fishing and picnicking at Posey Lake or Barker’s Reservoir.
Guides & Outfitters
- Excursions of Escalante: Rick Green - Canyoneering & Hiking Guides
1-800-839-7567
www.excursionsofescalante.com - Escalante Outfitters: Nate Waggoner - Fly Fishing Guide
435-826-4266
www.escalanteoutfitters.com - Escape Goats: Shawn Miller - Slot Canyon Tour Guide
435-826-4652
www.escalantecanyongides.com
Utah State Highway 12
From Heritage Highway 89, this strikingly scenic, 125 mile, All-American Highway winds its way up to 7800’ elevation on the southwest end through Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park and past the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park into Escalante.
As you head northeast out of town on Highway 12, you’ll travel through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument past the historic Hole-in-the-Rock Road and Calf Creek Recreation Area across the spine-tingling section known as the Hogsback and on into Boulder to the Burr Trail and Anasazi State Park Museum.
Scenic Byway 12 continues up Boulder Mountain, climbing to over 9000’ elevation through Aspen and spruce forests along an exhilarating skyline drive overlooking Capitol Reef National Park and ending in the town of Torrey – the gateway to this extraordinary National Park.
