Grand Staircase-Escalante

Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is an immense wilderness area in south-central Utah, spanning nearly 1.9 million acres of rugged desert, cliffs, canyons, slickrock expanses, and geological wonders. It lies directly southeast of Tropic, with many of its western reaches accessed via Scenic Byway 12 near Tropic, Cannonville, and Henrieville, making Tropic a convenient springboard for day trips into the monument. While there are no formal entrances or gates, visitor centers in Cannonville, Escalante, Big Water and Kanab help orient visitors and provide maps and permits.

The monument offers an extraordinary mix of outdoor activities for all interests. Hiking is a highlight, from iconic trails such as Lower Calf Creek Falls and Willis Creek Slot Canyon to less-trafficked narrows and slickrock routes, and there are hundreds of miles of backcountry exploration for both day trips and extended backpacking. Many visitors also enjoy scenic drives, wildlife watching, photography, horseback riding, and canyoneering in dramatic backcountry terrain. Fishing is also popular in streams such as Calf Creek and the Escalante River, and primitive camping is abundant both in developed campgrounds and dispersed backcountry sites.