The Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah is a vast and rugged, yet easily accessible national monument. Explore map, information and guides.

Between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks and perched on the edge of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, the town of Escalante offers access to some of the most beautiful parts of Southern Utah.

The aptly named “Grand Staircase” marches northward from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the 9,000-foot edge of Utah’s High Plateaus. The colorful succession of “risers” in the staircase include, from south to north, the Shinarump Cliffs, the Vermilion Cliffs, the White Cliffs, the Gray Cliffs, and the Pink Cliffs.

Camping at Grand Staircase-Escalante is one of the best ways to enjoy this beautiful monument’s rugged splendor. Choose from established campsites or backcountry camping in the monument, or reserve a campground in a nearby state park.

On most Southern Utah bucket lists, you’ll find the local favorite one-two punch of Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. These magnificent hikes, located in the Dry Fork area of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument area, can be done individually, but they make for a killer loop you can tackle in one afternoon of adventure. Once ...

The Escalante Canyons in the northern reaches of the monument begin as modest draws draining the flanks of Boulder Mountain. This lofty volcanic tableland bounds the river basin to the north and northwest.

Calf Creek is a perennial stream located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. There are two waterfalls which you can visit: Upper Calf Creek Falls and Lower Calf Creek Falls.

As part of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, this desert destination features hoodoos, natural arches, and various sandstone formations—some are reminiscent, on a smaller scale, to areas such as Goblin Valley.

Between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks and perched on the edge of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, the town of Escalante offers access to some of the most beautiful parts of Southern Utah.

Despite covering nearly 1.9 million acres, much of the sweeping Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is quite remote. Very few trailheads can be reached on paved roads. All others are accessed by dirt roads that range from well-graded roads to unmaintained, rocky, or sandy doubletracks.