18 Best Things to Do in Escalante, Utah: A Complete Guide

Nestled between the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon and the colorful strata of Capitol Reef right along Scenic Highway 12, lies an outdoor lover’s paradise: the small town of Escalante, Utah. Escalante makes the perfect home base for exploring nearby Utah national parks and the remote, rugged land of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

While most road trippers will drive right through this mecca of desert adventure without thinking twice, those who stop are sure to fall in love with this quiet and beautiful place, much like we did!

With a population of just over 800, you won’t find any chain restaurants, large grocery stores or strip malls in Escalante, Utah. The small town still has that rustic Western charm, with a few locally owned small businesses, restaurants and lodges.

An Escalante Local proudly told us that the closest stop light is more than 50 miles away, giving you a sense for the small-town charm you’ll find in Escalante.

Despite it’s small size, there’s no shortage of good food, great places to stay, and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. That being said, don’t expect much to be open on Sundays or during the winter, as Escalante all but shuts down. 

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know to plan a trip to Escalante, including where to stay, where to eat and what to do in the surrounding area. We hope can convince you this tiny town is worthy of more than a drive by!

Best things to do in Escalante, Utah

1. Explore Grand Staircase Escalante’s slot canyons
2. Go on a backpacking trip in Coyote Gulch
3. Take a guided canyoneering trip
4. Take a day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park
5. Take a day trip to Capitol Reef National Park
6. Eat at a James Beard award winning restaurant
7. Adventure to the 4th largest arch in the world
8. Cool off at a desert oasis along Calf Creek
9. Discover petrified wood in the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
10. Feel like a kid again exploring nature’s playground: Devil’s Garden
11. Go back in time with a drive-in movie at Yonder Escalante
12. Camp in one of the most remote protected areas of the United States
13. Drive the Scenic Highway 12 to Boulder
14. Hike Angel’s Palace and Panorama Point in Kodachrome Basin State Park
15. Enjoy coffee with a view at Kiva Coffeehouse
16. Go horseback riding at Kodachrome Basin or Bryce Canyon
17. Take a guided fly-fishing trip
18. Hike the Escalante River Trail to Phipps Arch or Escalante Natural Bridge
19. Adventure to Cosmic Ashtray, an otherworldly formation!
20. Backpack the Boulder Mail Trail

Why we love Escalante, Utah

Through all our travels throughout Utah, Escalante is the place we always find ourselves coming back. The rugged, vast landscapes of Grand Staircase Escalante and the authenticity of this old western town has totally captured our hearts.

In addition to countless trips to the area, we’ve spent over 2 weeks living here and have explored all the best spots, eaten at every restaurant in town, and lived off the limited supply of groceries available for miles.

Here you will find some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in Utah, and you won’t be rubbing elbows with hoards of tourists like you will in the nearby national park. We’re excited to share with you some of our favorite things to do in Escalante, Utah and we hope that you fall in love with this place just the same as we have!

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.

Map of the best things to do in Escalante, Utah

The map below displays the locations of the state and national parks nearby, the best hikes and things to do, hotels and lodging, campgrounds and places to eat.

• To view more details about each location, click on the marker on the map.
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1. Explore Grand Staircase Escalante’s slot canyons

The best thing to do in Escalante, Utah is exploring the narrow slot canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

While there are slot canyons all over the monument, here are a few great options that are (reasonably) accessible, although some require more effort to reach than others

• Zebra Slot Canyon: Arguably the most visually stunning slot canyon in Grand Staircase is Zebra Slot Canyon, aptly named after the vivid striped walls you’ll find inside this hidden gem.
• Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons: This 3.5-mile hike is a fun but challenging adventure through two stunning slot canyons! Peekaboo Slot Canyon reminds us of a smaller version of the most famous Antelope Canyon in Arizona. Spooky gets as narrow as 10 inches in spots, leaving the canyon rather dark and spooky.  
• Dry Fork Narrows: An optional add-on to the Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons hike, Dry Fork Narrows is less beautiful compared to its neighbors, but certainly more easily accessible for those hesitant to tackle the steep climbs, drop offs and narrow squeezes. 
• Big Horn Canyon: A lesser visited set of 2 side-by-side canyons accessible via a moderate 6-mile hike that does not require any rock scrambling or narrow squeezes.
• Willis Creek Slot Canyon: An off-the-beaten-path canyon accessible via an easy 3-mile round trip hike. Willis Creek is unique from other slot canyons in the area due it’s golden and black striped walls.

2. Go on a backpacking trip in Coyote Gulch

Backpacking through Coyote Gulch is a magical way to experience the best of Grand Staircase Escalante in southern Utah!

An entire world hidden below the otherwise barren crust of the desert, Coyote Gulch is an oasis of lush green trees, otherworldly rock formations, and a variety of wildlife. There are several trailheads and routes you could take into Coyote Gulch for a total trip distance between 6 and 27 miles. 

The most notable landmark inside Coyote Gulch is ​​Jacob Hamblin Arch, a stunning 150-foot wide and 100-foot tall arch. If you aren’t up for backpacking, you can visit Jacob Hamblin via a 14-mile round-trip day hike from the Hurricane Wash trailhead.

3. Take a guided canyoneering trip

Looking to take your slot canyon adventure to the next level? Canyoneering will get your adrenaline pumping while exploring some of the more beautiful and rarely visited areas of the park.

Excursions of Escalante is the only guide service that offers canyoneering tours in Escalante. They have two tour options of different difficulty levels which cost $225 to $275. 

4. Take a day trip to Bryce Canyon

No trip to Escalante is complete without taking a day trip to go hiking in Bryce Canyon! Below are a few great hike options:

• Figure 8 Loop | (6.3 miles, 1500 feet elevation) With just one day in the park, we’d recommend hiking the Figure 8 Loop, which combines 4 of the most popular trails: Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, the Rim Trail, and the Peekaboo Loop.
• Fairyland Loop | (7.8 miles, 1550 feet elevation) The Fairyland Loop is the longest hike in the park, and features similar views (maybe slightly less epic) to the Figure 8 Loop with fewer crowds.
• Navajo – Queens Garden Loop | (2.9 miles, 650 feet elevation) If you’re looking for a shorter hike in Bryce Canyon, combine the Navajo Loop with Queens Garden Trail for an awesome ~3 mile hike.

5. Take a day trip to Capitol Reef National Park

Although not as convenient as Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park is also doable as a day trip from Escalante.

Most of the hikes in the most popular section of Capitol Reef, near Fruita, are about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Escalante. Below are a few great hike options:

• Cassidy Arch: 3.1-mile round trip hike that gains 700 feet of elevation and leads to a massive sandstone arch with stunning views of the Waterpocket Fold; 1 hour 55 minutes from Escalante
• Hickman Bridge: 1.5-mile round trip hike to a natural bridge with 400 feet of elevation gain This is one of the most popular hikes in Capitol Reef, although personally we think it’s overrated. We’d choose the Rim Overlook, Chimney Rock or Cassidy Arch over Hickman Bridge; 1 hour 40 minutes from Escalante
• Rim Overlook: 4-mile round trip hike with 1,000 feet of elevation gain, which includes an overlook with views of Hickman Bridge and ends at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Fruita; 1 hour 40 minutes from Escalante
• Navajo Knobs: A challenging 9.1-mile round trip hike with 2,250 feet of elevation gain, featuring the best views in Capitol Reef (includes Rim Overlook); 1 hour 40 minutes from Escalante
• Chimney Rock Loop: 3.3-mile round trip hike with 300 feet of elevation gain that gets you up close to the unique Chimney Rock and features stunning views; 1 hour 30 minutes from Escalante

6. Eat at a James Beard semifinalist restaurant

Located just 30 minutes from Escalante in the tiny town of Boulder, lies Hell’s Backbone Grill and Farm, a James Beard-nominated restaurant known for taking farm-to-table quite literally. They operate a farm that provides the ingredients for the restaurant.

A James Beard award-winning restaurant in a remote town of 200 in southern Utah? It sounds as unbelievable as the delicious melt-in-your-mouth biscuits this family-owned restaurant serves.

At Hell’s Backbone, you’ll find a selection of wines, craft cocktails and delicious dishes with farm-fresh ingredients – a luxury that’s tough to find in southern Utah!

• Read more: Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm

7. Cool off at a desert oasis on Calf Creek

Through the seemingly barren, rocky landscape of Grand Staircase flows Calf Creek, a small oasis from the desert heat.

Over thousands of years, the creek has carved a beautiful canyon, and flows from north to south, cascading over two waterfalls before joining the Escalante River. The two falls, Upper Calf Creek Falls and Lower Calf Creek Falls, are located just a few miles from each other and can be accessed via 2 separate hikes. 

Of the two waterfalls along Calf Creek, the Lower Falls are certainly more popular and definitely a bit more impressive. However, the Upper Falls come pretty close in terms of beauty, are significantly less crowded, and the trail features more stunning views of Grand Staircase along the way.

8. Discover petrified wood in the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is located just a few minutes from Escalante, Utah and is worth a quick stop.

There is only one trail in the park: the Escalante Petrified Forest Nature Trail, a 2-mile roundtrip loop that gains nearly 500 feet of elevation with nice views over the Wide Hollow Reservoir and the chance to see petrified wood.

The “Sleeping Rainbows” section of the trail features the most concentrated and beautiful petrified wood along the hike, as well as a cool view looking over the town of Escalante.

The Wide Hollow Reservoir in Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is also a great spot to hang out and cool off from the desert heat. During the summer, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards from the park visitor center.

9. Feel like a kid again exploring nature’s playground: Devil’s Garden

Exploring Devil’s Garden in Grand Staircase is a whimsical and fun experience! In many ways, Devil’s Garden reminds us of a natural playground. Here you’ll discover sandstone arches, jagged hoodoos, and a mushroom-shaped assortment of rocks.

Climbing up and hopping around these strange rock formations will have you feeling like a kid romping around a playground! (Or, if you have kids of your own, will surely keep them entertained!)

There is a series of trails that lead through Devil’s Garden, but you can also just choose your own adventure around the area. Expect to total about a mile of distance on your feet to explore the best of Devil’s Garden.

10. Go back in time with a drive-in movie at Yonder Escalante

Available only to guests of Yonder Escalante, a luxury RV park offering RV hookups and campsites, as well as cabins and renovated airstreams, the drive-in movie theater at Yonder will transport you back in time, giving you a taste of the classic American West.

Movies are played every night just after dark and free popcorn is available at the concession stand.

If the outdoor showers, resort-style restrooms, onsite food truck, stunning modern cabins, and renovated Airstreams don’t entice you, the drive-in movie at Yonder may be reason enough to stay for a night (especially if you have kids!). 

11. Camp in one of the most remote areas of the United States

One of our favorite things about Escalante is the abundance of free dispersed camping along Hole in the Rock Road. Unlike many dispersed camping areas, awesome spots are not hard to come by here.

Although there are no amenities along Hole in the Rock Road (ie. no bathrooms, running water, RV hookups), you’ll have a front-row view of the beautiful sunsets and star-filled night skies and likely won’t have any neighbors (besides cows) for several miles. 

12. Drive the Scenic Highway 12 to Boulder

Designated as an “All-American Road”, Scenic Highway 12 stretches nearly 123 miles starting in Panguitch, UT and ending in Torrey, Utah, with stunning hoodoos, red rock vistas, swirling petrified dunes, and mountain views.

One of the most beautiful sections of Scenic Highway 12 is the 29 mile stretch from Escalante to Boulder, which features incredible views overlooking Grand Staircase Escalante. A particularly nail-biting stretch of road runs atop a narrow ridge, surrounded on all sides by stunning views.

Along the Scenic Drive are several awesome hikes to get out and stretch your legs, including Upper Calf Creek, Lower Calf Creek, Phipps Arch, the Escalante River Trail, and the Escalante Natural Bridge.

13. Hike Angel’s Palace in Kodachrome Basin State Park

• Hiking distance | 1.4 miles
• Elevation gain | 225 feet
• Total time | 1 hour
• Epic-ness rating | 5
• Difficulty | Easy

The most popular hike in Kodachrome Basin is the 1.4-mile roundtrip trail to Angel’s Palace.

The trail climbs just over 200 feet before leveling off and continuing along a flat ridge, with sweeping views overlooking the state park. The highlight of the hike is a towering spire that features a beautiful gradient of color from white at the top to orange at its base.

If you have more time to spend in Kodachrome, we also recommend the Panorama Loop, which includes a stunning view of the backside of Bryce Canyon at Panorama Point.

You have 2 options for the Panorama Trail: the short 3-mile Panorama Trail loop, or the 5.6-mile Panorama Trail Long Loop which includes the option to visit Cool Cave.

14. Enjoy coffee with a view at Kiva Coffeehouse

A coffee house located on Scenic Highway 12, Kiva is perched atop a rock cliff featuring a 180-degree wall of windows with panoramic views looking over Grand Staircase. This just may be the best view you can get with a fresh, hot cup of joe in hand!

In addition to your standard coffee fair, Kiva also sells a rotating menu of breakfast and lunch items, which includes items such as breakfast burritos, tamales, quiches, muffins, and soups. 

15. Go horseback riding

• Kodachrome Basin State Park | Kodachrome Trail Rides offers 1 hour rides for $54 per person or 2 hour rides for $75 per person.
• Bryce Canyon | Canyon Trail Rides offers a 1.5-2 hour ride for $75 per person or a 3-hour ride for $100 per person.

If your feet are aching from too much time spent hiking, give them a rest and explore the area by horseback! Kodachrome Basin State Park offers guided horseback rides along the Panorama Trail, one of the best hikes in the park with awesome views of the backside of Bryce Canyon.

Horseback riding is also available in and near Bryce Canyon National Park. Canyon Trail Rides is the only company that offers rides inside the park, so we’d recommend booking with them for the best experience.

16. Take a guided fly-fishing trip

Although it might seem counterintuitive due to the hot desert climate, there are actually many great fly fishing spots near Escalante, in Grand Staircase Escalante and the Dixie National Forest. To have the best experience and find great fishing spots, hire a local guide.

There are two companies that offer guided fly fishing trips in Escalante:

• Escalante Outfitters
• Fremont River Guides

17. Hike the Escalante River Trail

The Escalante River Trail follows along the banks of the Escalante River for about 16 miles, through the heart of Grand Staircase Escalante. The easiest way to access the trail is from the Escalante River Trailhead, located off Scenic Highway 12. From the trailhead, you can hike in either direction.

If you hike upriver, you will reach the Escalante Natural Bridge, a massive sandstone arch carved out of the canyon wall, in about 1.75 miles.

If you hike downriver, you can either continue along the river for 3 miles until you reach the end of the trail or take a spur trail up to Phipps Arch, a beautiful but tough-to-find eye-shaped arch.

Here is a summary of the different hike options from the Escalante River Trail:

• Escalante Natural Bridge (upriver/west) 3.5 miles, 250 feet elevation gain
• 100 Hands Petroglyph (upriver/west): 1.0 mile hike to a set of petroglyphs (the trail does not follow the river, but starts from the Escalante River Trailhead)
• Phipps Arch (downriver/east): 6.5 miles, 600 feet of elevation gain (no clear trail to the arch, requires route finding)
• Escalante River Trail (downriver/east): 6.2 miles, 275 feet of elevation gain
• Escalante River Trail (upriver/west to Escalante): 12.9 miles one way, 900 feet elevation gain

18. Backpack the Boulder Mail Trail

• Hiking distance | 15.4 miles (one way)
• Elevation gain | 2,800 feet
• Total time | 2 days/1 night or 10 – 12 hour day hike
• Epic-ness rating | 8
• Difficulty | Hard
• Permits/fees | Free permit required for overnight backpacking (available at trailhead)
• Trailhead | Escalante Town Trailhead or Boulder Mail Trailhead

Find this hike on AllTrails: Boulder Mail Trail

Traversing over 15 miles through Grand Staircase Escalante, the Boulder Mail Trail connects the town of Boulder to Escalante and makes an epic 1-night backpacking trip, or very ambitious day hike.

Before Highway 12 was paved back in the 1970s, the route was used to deliver mail via mule between Escalante and Boulder, hence where the trail gets its name!

Tackling the Boulder Mail Trail isn’t easy, with about 2,700 feet of total elevation gain including an extremely steep drop into and climb out of Death Hollow, a stunning canyon with crystal clear blue water flowing through. It’s hard to imagine trusting a mule’s footing to carry you safely across this rugged terrain!

The Boulder Mail Trail is over 15 miles one way, and while it’s possible to complete as a 30-mile out and back, it’s best to hire a shuttle to drive you one way.

We’d recommend starting the hike from the Boulder Mail Trailhead/Boulder Airstrip and hiking to Escalante, as this direction includes less elevation gain. With Escape Goats, the shuttle will set you back $120 (per vehicle).

Escalante, Utah | FAQs

Where are the best places to eat in Escalante, Utah?

Good eats are surprisingly easy to come by in Escalante, although groceries and alcohol are not. In this section, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about eating and drinking in Escalante.

Restaurants in and near Escalante

Although Escalante is a small, remote town, there are a few great spots to grab a tasty bite after a busy day of hiking. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Ranch Dog: “Fancy” German-style hotdogs. The apple, brie, mustard and chicken hot dog on baguette is to die for!
• Georgie’s: Outdoor Mexican restaurant. Makes a great lunch or takeout spot (open 11am – 6pm but hours can change so check their Facebook page)
• Hell’s Backbone: A James Beard Award winning restaurant hidden in the tiny town of Boulder, Hell’s Backbone takes farm-to-table literally and serves up some of the most delicious food and drinks in the area!
• Escalante Outfitters: Cold beer and hot pizza… what more could you want after a long day of hiking!
• Nemo’s: A locally-owned “fast” food (the service isn’t actually very fast… expect to wait 15 minutes or so for your meal) joint serving up all the American classics: tasty cheeseburgers, fries and shakes!
• Kiva Coffeehouse: Located off Scenic Highway 12, enjoy panoramic views while you sip your cappuccino! Kiva also offers a rotating breakfast/lunch menu, with breakfast sandwiches, kitchens, tamales and burritos. 

Where to buy groceries in Escalante, Utah

There is no major grocery store in Escalante, but Griffins Grocery sells the basics. If you plan to do a lot of cooking, it’s probably a good idea to buy groceries before you get to town.

Escalante Mercantile also sells a limited selection of fresh produce and picnic supplies. 

Where to buy alcohol in Escalante, Utah

Alcohol is a bit hard to come by in this tiny Utah town. Escalante Outfitters is one of the only places that sell wine and liquor. You can buy beer here too, or at the gas stations. 

Where to stay in Escalante, Utah

Escalante has something for everyone when it comes to where to stay, from budget-friendly motels, RV parks, campgrounds, and free dispersed camping to luxury glamping, cabins, yurts, and hotels.

Hotels & Lodging in Escalante, Utah

Escalante has several RV parks, small cabins, and hotels/motels available if traditional camping isn’t your style. 

• Yonder Escalante: Luxury RV park and campground, offering small cabins and renovated Airstreams in addition to RV hookups and tent campsites. Cabins sleep 2 for $260 per night and Airstreams sleep 3 for $330 per night. 
• Escalante Yurts: Spacious, luxury yurts for those looking for a glamping experience. Nightly rates run around $330 to $430 and sleep 4 – 7 people.
• Escalante Cabins & RV Park: Offering cabins, tent sites, RV hookups, and even long-term rentals, Escalante Cabins and RV Park is a solid lodging option. Cabins will set you back about $145 and RV sites are about $40.
• Canyon Country Lodge: Large hotel located minutes from Hole in the Rock Road that offers clean and spacious rooms for $200 per night. 
• Escalante Escapes: Modern tiny cabins that sleep 2 – 4 for $350 per night. 
• Circle D Motel: Budget friendly motel in Escalante with rooms for $70 – $100 per night.
• Cowboy Country Inn: Budget friendly motel in Escalante for around $110 per night. 

Campgrounds in Escalante, Utah

• Wide Hollow Campground: Campground located in Escalante Petrified Forest State Park with 20 RV and tent sites located adjacent to the Wide Hollow Reservoir. Sites are reservable in advance online.
• Calf Creek Campground: 13 lovely campsites located next to the trailhead for Lower Calf Creek Falls available on a first come first service basis (fill up fast in busy seasons). 
• Yonder Escalante: RV and tent sites run $70 to $130 per night. 

Dispersed Camping in Escalante, Utah

Dispersed camping is permitted in many areas around Escalante, Utah. Two great options include:

• Hole in the Rock Road: Free dispersed camping with easy access to many of the best hikes in Grand Staircase Escalante
• Spencer Flat Road: Another nice spot for dispersed camping with lovely views. Less popular than Hole in the Rock Road, with fewer good camping spots available.

How to get to Escalante

Escalante is located just off Scenic Highway 12 in southern Utah, 1 hour north of Bryce Canyon National Park and 1.5 hours south of Capitol Reef National Park.

Those who complete an Utah National Parks road trip almost certainly drive right through the town on their way from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon.

The closest major cities with airports are Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, both about 4.5 hours by car. If you’re flying in, you will need to rent a car, or better yet, a camper or RV. 

How much time do I need in Escalante?

How much time you need in Escalante depends on what you plan to do in the area. If you want to explore Grand Staircase, we’d recommend about 3 days.

If you plan to use Escalante as a home base for exploring Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon, you could easily spend a week here.

How can I get around in Escalante?

Getting around the town of Escalante itself is very easy. It’s a small town and almost everything is located right in the center of town. Any hotel, restaurant, gas station, etc. is likely no more than a 5 minute drive from the center of town.

While some trailheads are located off Highway 12, many of the best hikes in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument are located off Hole in the Rock Road, a 62-mile-long washboard dirt road that deteriorates the further down you go.

If you don’t feel comfortable driving on this road, or you have a large RV you’d prefer not to have to find parking for, you can arrange a hiking tour or shuttle to take you most trailheads.

Below are a few companies that offer hiking tours and shuttle services:

• Escape Goats
• Utah Canyon Outdoors

Other Escalante Resources

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

Questions about planning your trip or any of the best things to do in Escalante, Utah? Escalante is one of our favorite areas of the country, so we are happy to help however we can!

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