Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast area of public land in south-central Utah, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, known for slot canyons, sandstone cliffs and remote backcountry. Its boundaries have changed since it was created in 1996, so check the BLM for current maps before you plan a route.

Visitor Center

The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center at 755 West Main Street in Escalante, (435) 826-5499, is the main place for maps, road conditions and permit information. Its hours are seasonal, so check the BLM page before you go. Road conditions on dirt routes such as Hole-in-the-Rock Road change quickly after rain.

From St. George

Escalante is roughly four hours from St. George by way of Kanab or Bryce Canyon, and Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce and Boulder is one of the most celebrated drives in the West. Services are sparse, so fill up on gas and water in towns, carry a paper map, and tell someone your plans before heading into the backcountry. For more ideas, see our national parks guide.