Activities at Grand Staircase / Escalante

The Escalante region has low visitation and is very remote. This provides a unique chance for guests to experience an area touched very little by the population. There are ample amounts of opportunities for hiking and backpacking throughout the 1.8 million acres of land in Southern Utah. The different sites include the Canyons of the Escalante, Spooky Gulch, Devil’s Garden, Peekaboo and Brimstone Canyons. There are several slot canyons and ridges.

Special to the Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument is the Artist-in-Residence program. The program is designed to give educational and artistic opportunities to artists to help encourage a better and deeper understanding of the natural beauty and resources of the region. The program currently has two artists-in-residence opportunities each year. The programs allows for artists to live and completely invest themselves into the surrounding culture of the area which gives them the chance to stimulate and pursue their work without interruption.

Grand Staircase and Escalante have a unique option of hunting and fishing in the park region. Those interested in these activities should check with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to obtain hunting and fishing permits.

Escalante River offers visitors a great chance for adventure. The river tends to be unique, but in a more dangerous sense. Currents can push boaters up against branches and debris, and the river is rated a class III with miles of rocks to negotiate. The river gives those with a riskier adventurous side a chance to get their adrenaline running. Boaters should wear vests and helmets for protection and backcountry permits are required.

If you’re wanting a thrill but don’t want to towing boats in and out of a river, another great option for guests is mountain biking. The Grand Staircase/Escalante region is primitive and rugged, perfect for risk-taking bikers. There are no designated routes and water is unavailable along the trails. Guests should pack light and be prepared to help maintain the value of the area.

The Grand Staircase/Escalante are offers over 900 miles of roads and routes available to guests for vehicle travel. One of the greatest trails for adventurers is The Great Western Trail, a trail that travels from Canada to Mexico. The trail offers countless opportunities for ATVs, four-wheel driving, snowmobiling, and even horseback riding. About 46.5 miles of The Great Western Trail passes through the Grand Staircase/Escalante Monument. The terrain varies from deep and sandy to muddy, giving visitors a real thrill.