Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
Where the Wild Stretches Beyond the Horizon
Enter an immense landscape of colorful cliffs, sweeping plateaus, hidden waterfalls, sculpted canyons, and ancient stone.
Nearly 1.9 million acres remain beautifully untamed—inviting explorers to follow the road, wander thoughtfully, and discover what waits beyond the next bend.
Grand Staircase–Escalante at a Glance
Location:
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Southern Utah, between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef
Known for:
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Remote canyons, layered cliffs, plateaus, badlands, and dinosaur discoveries
Size:
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Nearly 1.9 million acres
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Night sky: Exceptionally dark and remote ☾✦
Climb the mountain. Discover the wonder within.
Follow the Land. Find the Story.
Three Ways to Explore Grand Staircase–Escalante
Scenic Byway 12
Travel one of Utah’s most remarkable highways through high plateaus, colorful cliffs, and sweeping canyon country.
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Experience: Scenic driving and overlooks
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Best for: First-time visitors and panoramic views
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Important: Weather can quickly affect travel conditions
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Follow Calf Creek through a colorful desert canyon to a beautiful waterfall descending into a cool pool.
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Distance: Approximately 6 miles round trip
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Best for: Waterfall scenery and a longer day hike
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Important: The trail is sandy, exposed, and hot during summer
Devil’s Garden
Wander among whimsical hoodoos, sandstone arches, and naturally sculpted formations just off Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
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Experience: Short walks and open exploration
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Difficulty: Easy
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Best for: Families, photography, and unusual geology
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Important: Access requires travel on an unpaved road
From Daylight to Starlight
Far from the glow of Utah’s cities, darkness settles deeply across the monument. On a clear night, the Milky Way may stretch above the cliffs, canyons, and open desert.
When the final light leaves the stone, the wilderness opens into the stars.
☾✦
Explore Responsibly
Stay on durable surfaces, protect biological soil crust, leave fossils and cultural artifacts untouched, and never carve or mark the sandstone.
Explore deeply. Tread lightly. Leave the wild unbroken.
Before You Go
Grand Staircase–Escalante is vast and remote. Roads may be rough or impassable after storms, cellular service is limited, and flash floods can occur far from visible rainfall.
Check road, weather, and flood conditions before entering the backcountry.
Climb through the canyon. Enter the mountain. Discover the wonder hidden within.
