Hiking to Escalante Natural Bridge: Escalante River Trail

Escalante Natural Bridge is an easy, family-friendly 3.2-mile round trip hike in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, located right off Scenic Highway 12.

Did you know that Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is home to more arches than Arches National Park?!

That’s right! There are over 2,300 documented arches in Grand Staircase, and the Escalante Natural Bridge is one of the most spectacular! The impressive 130-foot tall sandstone arch is carved out of the massive walls of the Escalante River Canyon.

The trail to Escalante Natural Bridge meanders along the Escalante River and involves several fun river crossings – a great way to cool off on a hot desert day. The hike is just a small portion of the Escalante River Trail, which stretches for 19 miles and ends in Escalante.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hiking to Escalante Natural Bridge, including hike stats, parking and trailhead info, and frequently asked questions.

Escalante Natural Bridge | Hike Guide

Our experience

We hiked to Escalante Natural Bridge while living in Escalante for 2 weeks in April. We’ll be honest, we didn’t have the highest hopes for this hike, but had driven by the trailhead several times so we decided to check it out.

The arch is beautiful and definitely exceeded our expectations! While most people flock to Lower Calf Creek Falls, we think the Escalante Natural Bridge is also worthy of a stop. The river crossings are a ton of fun and the scenery is lovely the entire way.

Remember to Leave No Trace. Pack out what you pack in, stay on trail, be well-prepared, leave nothing behind, take only photos and memories with you, treat the area with respect and help preserve this beautiful spot for generations to come.

Getting to the Escalante River Trailhead

The hike to Escalante Natural Bridge starts from the Escalante River Trailhead.

Unlike many hikes in Grand Staircase, getting to the trailhead is a breeze. The parking area is located right off Scenic Highway 12, making it accessible with any vehicle. Parking is fairly limited, but there are overflow spots located along the roadside.

Starting the hike

From the parking lot, the Escalante River Trail leads to both the east and west. To get to Escalante Natural Bridge, you will head west (on the same side of the road as the parking lot). You’ll find the trailhead on the far side of the parking lot. 

The scenery along the trail is quite beautiful, leading through the Escalante River Canyon, with swirling petrified dunes, deep orange canyon walls, and an oasis of plant life clinging to the shores of the river.

Escalante River crossings

Almost immediately upon starting the hike, you will face the first of five river crossings. If you haven’t already, change into your water shoes. You’ll likely want to keep them on for the rest of the hike!

The river crossing is shallow, usually about ankle deep but varies by time of year. The Escalante River is crystal clear and the cool water is quite refreshing on a hot day in the desert!

We counted a total of 5 river crossings to reach Escalante Natural Bridge, with the last crossing being right below the arch.

Escalante Natural Bridge

About 1.5 miles into the hike, you’ll see the Escalante Natural Bridge out in the distance! You can then cross the river once more and walk right up underneath the arch. The 130-foot tall orange and black striped sandstone arch is quite spectacular and standing below it will certainly make you feel small. 

Granary & Cliff House Arch

Under half a mile past the Escalante Natural Bridge, look out for a granary, a stone structure built into the side of the canyon. Just past the granary is Cliff House Arch, a narrow sliver carved out of the cliff.

Continue along the Escalante River Trail

If you are interested in extending your hike, you can continue along the Escalante River as far as you please. From the trailhead, the Escalante River Trail continues for nearly 13 miles one-way.

Escalante Natural Bridge | FAQs

How difficult is the hike to Escalante Natural Bridge?

Escalante Natural Bridge is an easy hike that’s suitable for kids and hikers of all experience levels. The trail is mainly flat as it meanders alongside the Escalante River. 

The most challenging aspect of the hike is the several river crossings (we counted 5) required to reach the Escalante Natural Bridge. Most of the crossings are quite manageable with a sandy riverbed.

There are a few areas where the riverbed is rocky and slippery, which requires a bit of extra caution to cross safely. We found that hiking poles worked wonders for helping us maintain our balance. 

Typically the current of Escalante River is mild and the river crossings are shallow. Please note that the water tends to be stronger during the spring when nearby snowmelt fuels the river. Use your best judgement in deciding whether the river is safe to cross, particularly if you are hiking with small children.

The second factor that adds a bit of difficulty to the hike is the deep sand.

When is the best time to hike?

The best time to hike to Escalante Natural Bridge is during the spring (late March through May) and fall (September through October) when temperatures are mild. During the summer, it will be very hot. If you plan to hike during the summer, just be sure to pack plenty of water and sun protection. 

During winter, the river crossings would be quite freezing, although it is possible. A pair of neoprene socks would be a lifesaver!

Can I backpack the Escalante River Trail?

Backpacking is also permitted along the Escalante River Trail, which continues for about 9 miles past the Escalante Natural Bridge. Permits are required and can be picked up at the Escalante Interagency Center in Escalante or at the trailhead. 

Where should I stay near the trailhead?

The Escalante Natural Bridge hike is located about 20 minutes from the small town of Escalante, Utah, where you’ll find several hotel, RV park and campground options. Escalante also has a small grocery store and several restaurants, making it a good home base for exploring the area.

The even smaller town of Boulder is also about 30 minutes north of the trailhead but is fairly limited in terms of accommodations. 

Pro tip | The tiny town of Boulder is home to a James Beard Award Winning restaurant, called Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm. It’s delicious, and we highly recommend making a stop on your Scenic Highway 12 road trip!

Other Grand Staircase-Escalante Resources

Planning a trip to Grand Staircase Escalante? Be sure to check out these resources on other great hikes in the area:

Questions about the Escalante Natural Bridge hike or other hikes in Escalante? What did you think of the hike? Let us know in the comments below!