Location: Escalante
Top Things to do in Escalante
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The 10 Best Things to do in Escalante, Utah (UT)
Escalante (/ɛskəˈlɑːnteɪ/, locally /ˈɛskɛlæni/ or /ˈɛskəlænt/) is a city in Garfield County, Utah, United States located along Utah Scenic Byway 12 (SR-12) in the south central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, there were 797 people residing in the city.
Restaurants in Escalante
1. Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 635 reviews
It takes time to get to, but Calf Creek falls are a recommended site to visit.
Reviewed By Global_Traveller11 - Salt Lake City, United States
Great 6 mile hike that was mostly easy with a couple of moderate spots. Fantastic views, some good shady spots and the waterfall at the end was really worth the effort to make it to the end!
2. Peekaboo Gulch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 294 reviews
The gulch is most famous because of the last 100 meters, before the junction with Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch - here the ravine cuts deeper into the sandstone, with a series of interlinked potholes, extravagant swirls and fins of rock, and several arches; these different openings and the many corners and crevices account for the curious name of this canyon.
Reviewed By 35marin1150 - San Rafael, United States
Very unique geology, not too physically challenging! After a 25 mile dirt road it was a great hike - follow the cairn rock piles down into the wash and climb up into the Peekaboo Gulch. Not too difficult to traverse. If doing this in conjunction with the Spooky slot, I recommend doing this first and complete the loop clockwise. I also recommend not bringing a backpack into Spooky, it is VERY narrow in places. There is one Boulder choke obstacle that did not have a rope (11/2020), not too difficult, but not a piece of cake either. The trail from Peekaboo to Spooky is not at all well marked by cairns, bring a paper map - you’ll hike basically ESE over a little knoll. Enjoy!!!
3. Coyote Gulch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By LilGoBlue - Atlanta, United States
We were able to access the Forty Mile Ridge parking area (down the sandy road) with an AWD vehicle and took the shortcut across the top of the gulch to the 200' drop in. The rope was in place but it's a very basic nylon rope. Once at the bottom the entire hike is gorgeous! Best hike we did in Escalante. We did it all in one day - left the car around 9am and was back by 3pm. The .7 miles uphill in sand is a horrible at the end but the climb through the crack in the rock is awesome! Highly recommend this hike.
4. Scenic Byway Route 12
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 376 reviews
Reviewed By MsNats - Salt Lake City, United States
Try to do this in the daytime though! Lots of mountain roads that need light to navigate with confidence - amazing views. Loved the sites we stopped to see: Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Park Loved the towns along the way: Hyway 89, towns of Tropic, Cannonville, Henrieville, Escalante, Boulder.
5. Devil's Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 386 reviews
Reviewed By mygoodwinfamily - Guatemala City, Guatemala
The hoo-doos are fun to explore and play on. There is a small arch that kids/teens can walk over. A fun place to play and have a picnic!
6. Zebra Slot Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By canyonfreak - Teasdale, United States
I've been lurking around in the Escalante Canyons for over 30 years, and can never get enough of this country, which is why I moved to Teasdale, 70 mile north near Capitol Reef NP, when I retired.
7. Spooky Gulch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By B8955ASandreal
Spooky gulch definitely lives up to it's name! Sections are challenging and dark, requiring the ability to maneuver tight quarters. Not for those with fears of small spaces. 10/10 would recommend.
8. Hell's Backbone Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By SusanJ2492
Very good road. Awesome views and scenery of the Grand Staircase. Lots of campgrounds and trails for atv's.
9. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 318 reviews
This area was the home of the ancient Anazazi and Fremont Indians, and has a very dramatic and beautiful landscape.
Reviewed By ladawnb
Great little State Park with lots of picnic tables under a roof for shade. Perfect hike trail, different lengths, for all levels of hiking. Be sure to visit the rock shop just outside the boundaries of the Park.
10. Hole In The Rock Road
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By HotQuescene - Fort Lauderdale, United States
Yes this is dirt road that is mostly washboard. No, I probably wouldn't take my personal vehicle down this road unless it was a Jeep or similar 4 wheel drive. Ground clearance wasn't an issue until the turn off for Peekaboo and Spooky Canyons. I didn't drive the remaining miles to the end. From the turn off or first parking area for the slot canyons, the road deteriorates, although fine for a high clearance SUV. It was deep rutted sand, but not get stuck soft. The key to the main road is drive slow. Many people in a hurry to get back to the highway after hiking were flying down this road creating so much dust that I drove into a heard of cattle that was clouded by the dust. If you plan for 1.5-2 hours to drive 30 miles each way, its fine. This road offers many hiking access points into the numerous slot and other canyons in the Harris Wash drainage.
