The Wild West is arguably one of the most fascinating backpacking destinations across the U.S. and if you’re looking for an adventurous place to lace your boots, look no further than Utah—an absolute hiking hotspot. Some of my all-time favorite hiking has been through the state’s unspoiled wilderness and impressive rocky red deserts. The place to start? Canyon land.
While one of southern Utah’s biggest draws is the beautiful Bryce Canyon, there is so much more to see and do in the area, especially within the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Devil’s Garden, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
It’s a two-million acre playground full of canyon slots and rugged cliffs beckoning the adventurous souls to come and play. And from horseback riding and fishing to canyoneering and mountain biking, there’s undoubtedly an adventure activity for everyone!
But above all, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a backpacker and hiker’s paradise, and the best way to get acquainted with the region is through a series of day hikes that cover the monument’s varied landscapes.
Considering each of these hikes is accessible via Utah’s Scenic Byway 12—an All-American Road considered the gateway to canyon country—your best bet is to make the towns of Boulder and Escalante your base to explore these six great hikes over a week during your visit to Garfield County and Bryce Canyon Country.
Incredible Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Hikes
1. ZEBRA SLOT CANYON
DISTANCE: 5.3 miles roundtrip (7.2 miles including Tunnel Slot)
TIME: 3-4 hours average (5-6 with Tunnel Slot loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Perhaps the most visually stunning slot of Grand Staircase-Escalante is that of Zebra Canyon, streaked by pink and white stripes that line the towering walls of this extremely narrow passage. This premiere canyon is surprisingly overlooked by the crowds (in comparison to Bryce Canyon’s Queen’s Garden Trail and the ever-popular Navajo Loop, for example,) making the trip even more desirable considering the potential of having the slot to yourself.
The easy, 3-5 hour hike first leads you through sand dunes and fields of wildflowers (during the summer months) for a mile or so before deepening into the canyon of sculpted sandstone. As an added bonus, the nearby Tunnel Slot is often filled with water and a great place to cool down before heading back. It’s a great hike for any time of year, although recommended during the spring and fall.
Getting There:
Trailhead and parking start 8 miles down Hole-in-the-Rock Road, just off of Scenic Byway 12 outside of Escalante. Cross to the east side of the road and follow the unmarked trail northeast towards Halfway Hollow, continuing north and keeping right when the trail forks at Harris Wash toward the canyon entrance.
2. LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS
DISTANCE: 6 miles roundtrip
TIME: 3-4 hours average
DIFFICULTY: moderate
Who doesn’t love jumping into a pool of cool, cascading falls after a full day’s trek under the desert sun? If waterfalls are what you’re after, then this is the hike for you.
To sum up this trail in one word, it would undeniably be: hot. While relatively flat, this hike is nonetheless tiresome due to its sandy trail and lack of shade throughout the 3-mile trip to the Lower Calf Creek Falls just outside of Boulder. It’s worth every step to make it to the refreshing, 126-foot waterfall, though, so plan plenty of time for a swim!
TIP: Leaving later in the afternoon helps with the shade coverage if you start hiking around 2p.m.
3. PEEK-A-BOO/ SPOOKY GULCHES
DISTANCE: 3.2 miles roundtrip
TIME: 2-3 hours average
Difficulty: moderate
Highly regarded as some of southern Utah’s best canyons for adventure hiking, the famous slots of Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulches make a great day loop for exploring the desert. As some of the most surreal canyons of Escalante, they are also some of the most-visited, and certainly some of the most exciting trails within the monument. Pairing the two canyons (which are less than a half mile from each other) make for a classic, and captivating experience.
Visit Bryce Canyon Country for more info on these must-see canyons.
4. WILLIS CREEK SLOT
Willis Creek
DISTANCE: 4 miles roundtrip
TIME: 2-3 hours average
Difficulty: Easy
Unlike the claustrophobic canyons of Zebra and Spooky, the Willis Creek Slot is an easygoing, flat hike trail following the water that long ago carved the great Navajo sandstone walls into the canyon of today. It’s a photographer’s dream (especially during the morning when the sun is glowing against the orange rock) and is a great spot for canyoneering in the heart of the monument.
5. LITTLE DEATH HOLLOW
DISTANCE: 16 miles roundtrip
TIME: 8-12 hours average
Difficulty: hard
Despite it’s harrowing name, the hike through the Little Death Hollow is anything but dark and unpleasant. The 8-mile trail leads you through a little bit of everything that Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument has to offer, from fields of petrified wood, stone carvings and petroglyphs, tight slots, flowing rivers and wide open canyons. Depending on the season, many sections of this canyon can fill with waist deep, icy-cold water making for an added challenge to navigate the trail obstacles and twisting walls of the area’s most interesting geology.
Bonus: The trailhead is best accessed from the town of Boulder, about 20 miles down Burr Trail Road, taking you along one of the most scenic drives in all of Garfield County.
6. COYOTE GULCH
DISTANCE: 12-17 miles roundtrip
TIME: 8-12 hours average
Difficulty: moderate-hard
Arches, bridges, and waterfalls make this spectacular section of Grand Staircase-Escalante the crown jewel of the monument and a very popular starting point for hikers new to the area. The gulch itself is grand, and there are various paths and trails you can take to create various backpacking routes, giving you a wide range of scenery and activity along the Escalante River. Here you’ll spend most of your time in or around the water, and you can’t miss the immense sandstone arches that tower over streams and cascading falls.
When planning your trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante and the surrounding Bryce Canyon Country area, be sure to check their website for the latest trail info and updates as hiking conditions vary by season.
This post is brought to you in collaboration with Bryce Canyon Country. As always, opinions are my own.
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Hey, what a nice collection of hikes and photos! I know Utah is beautiful, but you really show its best side!
Thanks, Tami! Utah is breathtaking, as you know, and I can’t wait to get back sometime soon!
This is awesome… I really want to hike these one day… I have never been to the US yet. Your photos are amazing. Great article! Well done!
Looks amazing. Anytime I see a post like this I want to travel to the US, buy a cheap car and see as many national parks as I can.
Do it!! There are some great NP circuits in the West.
Gorgeous photos! I sometimes forget the US can be as beautiful as other parts of the world.
Me too, Sharon! For so long I thought I needed to “escape” the U.S. to find beauty in the rest of the world (which I’m glad I did) but I’ve realized there is plenty for me to explore back home!
This is an insane thing for me to think about, as I’ve worked as a park ranger and a national parks tour guide — literally millions and millions and millions of people travel to the U.S. specifically because it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
I think Bryce Canyon might be one of the most gorgeous places and definitely one of the most interested in all of the states. I look forward to visiting it some day. Hopefully the hubby and I can do a big road trip to that area and all the states I have not yet been to.
There are so many fascinating things in that park. I’d love to see Zebra Slot Canyon. It’s a photographers dream.
I’ve always wanted to hike in Utah and spend a night under the stars. Your photos are super inspiring!
Fab shots. I am enjoying the great photos!
Your post has a lot of inspiration, I am drawn to Zebra Slot Canyon.
Thanks!
We love hiking, so we’d probably love visiting the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument :-). The Zebra Slot Canyon would be amazing – it kind of reminds us a little of the Siq, the canyon pass which you walk along to enter the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
I’m sure you would love all of Utah if you are into hiking, but GSENM is breathtaking! Happy trails!
I enjoyed your blog on the 6 Hikes past Bryce Canyon. You were specific how on hard the hike was, its location, and the time it would take to hike. I definitely want to put this on my bucket list and will use this as my reference. Thanks!
All great choices! Only one I need left on your list is Death Hollow, which I actually just had a friend get back from backpacking there for 2 nights. He loved it! Guess it needs to go on my personal list too! Great pics BTW – Alicia @ http://www.girlonahike.com
That’s awesome! Cheers!
Great blog! I love Southern Utah and all the beauty there, I may be a little biased though as I grew up in a small town between Zion and Bryce Canyon. For a great place to stay, Pinkie’s Place is located centrally between Zion and Bryce Canyons. https://www.vrbo.com/812122 or https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/12918329 and can also be found on FB https://www.facebook.com/Pinkies-Place-196141290757046/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Wow stunning! I’m not a big hiker but I’ve always wanted to try zion and antelope canyon in particular. Maybe if I’m brave, I’ll tough it out and camp overnight to get some starry photos like you have above!!
Sher
Coyote Gulch looks particularly impressive. Great shots overall.
Coyote Gulch is wonderful,my husband and I backpacked for 4days there a couple of years ago and I think we saw maybe 10 people at the most there. So quiet and beautiful.
Where is the best location for lodging in relation to these hikes? We will be staying in hotels…thanks!
Lynn, I just got back from Escalante. There are several little motels (I stayed at the Circle D for a few nights) and there are cabins at few places as well as camp sites. However, check out Escalante Yurts–they’re super-nice yurts and the owners are fantastic. I stayed there one night and wanted to stay longer!
Thanks! Looks like a fabulous selection. I will try a couple of them out.
Love your photos! We wandered for quite a bit never finding Willis canyon. There was barbed wire blocking an area where our directions pointed us & cattle grazing. Is it still accessible to the general public?
Thanks for your recommendations! I am planning a trip and found your suggestions really helpful. Excited to try out Lower Falls or Peek A Boo Canyon.
That’s great, Robin! I’m glad the guide was useful 🙂 Have fun and happy trails!
Wow, never heard of Zebra, even though I have done most of the slots there. Will check it out – Thanks!