Grand Staircase-Escalante
National Monument
Hiking
This page contains information on hiking in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah.
There are few marked trails, but many routes through the Monument, especially in the Canyons of the Escalante area. Hiking and backpacking is predominantly along unmarked routes. The Monument has very few developed trails. Most hiking routes are found in the Escalante Canyons and the Upper Paria drainage. The ideal time of year to hike is in the Spring or fall.
- One way to avoid getting disoriented is to hike upstream. As long as you don't climb out of the drainage, you'll be fine; to head back, just follow the water downstream.
- Sign in—and out—at hiking registers at trail parking areas and/or at the Monument offices in Kanab and Escalante. Flash floods are no joke. Check conditions at visitor centers, even if it's raining only in the mountains.
- Group size within the Monument interior is limited to 25 persons. If you travel more than .25 miles from established parking areas and trailheads, the group size limit is 12. For groups larger than 25 contact one of the Visitor Information Centers.
There are many options for day hikes. Most are unmarked routes. Check at a Visitor Center for suggestions. A few of the better known trails are listed below.
- See also Calf Creek Recreation Area.
- See our Backpacking Tips.
- See our Day Hiking Tips.
Hiked
Check our personal notes for detailed descriptions of these trails:
| Boulder Mail Trail Cross Country Route | |||
| Distance: | Rating: | Moderate to Strenuous | |
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| Description: | |||
| Cottonwood Narrows | |||
| Distance: | Rating: | Easy to Moderate | |
| Elevation: | Total Ascent: | ||
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| Description: | |||
| Willis Creek Slot Canyons | |||
| Distance: | Rating: | Easy to Moderate | |
| Elevation: | Total Ascent: | ||
| Trailhead: | |||
| Description: | |||
Not Hiked
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