Best Hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah

Location: South Central Utah

On Utah Scenic Byway 12, 269 miles southwest of Grand Junction, CO, 300 miles northeast of Las Vegas, NV and 312 miles south of Salt Lake City, UT.

Escalante Hiking Trails

Zebra Canyon slot

Zebra Canyon and Tunnel Slot

Distance: 5.3 - 7.2 miles (Round Trip)

Beautiful Zebra Canyon, a narrow, convoluted slot streaked with pink and white stripes, will delight hikers of all ages. Combine the hike with nearby Tunnel Slot, a long narrow slot, for a great day hike down the Hole in the Rock Road.

The colors of the canyon walls contrast nicely with the clear blue sky

Escalante River Trail

Distance: 5.0 - 14.0 miles (Round Trip)

This beautiful hike, one of my favorites in the Escalante area, travels through a gorgeous canyon beneath towering white Navajo and red Wingate sandstone walls.

Phipps Arch

Phipps Arch

Distance: 8.8 - 10.4 miles (Round Trip)

This scenic hike visits an interesting arch set high atop the north wall of Phipps Wash. An optional extension travels to Maverick Bridge.

Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls

Distance: 5.8 miles (Round Trip)

This good introductory hike to the Escalante National Monument travels up a scenic canyon and leads to the base of lower Calf Creek Falls, a beautiful 126-ft. tall cascade.

Close up of the natural bridge

Lower Escalante River Trail

Distance: 4.0 - 14.0 miles (Round Trip)

A scenic canyon with an interesting natural bridge, an arch, rock art and a small ruin make for a nice day hike in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

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