Grand Staircase National Monument

Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument’s technicolor cliffs reveal over 250 million years of Earth’s geologic history, while rock art overlooking the Escalante River points to the land’s early human dwellers. It’s among the most remote country land in the contiguous United States—the last to be mapped. Visitors who come to explore the Monument can access it in numerous ways. The roads are unpaved, and conditions vary–so always check with local Visitor Centers before going.

The monument is split into three vast units: Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyon. Each unit includes an extensive treasure chest filled with natural wonders.

The Grand Staircase is the western unit of the monument. Nestled within lies the Paunsaugunt Plateau—bordering the Paria River, and adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park. The epic landmarks such as Bull Valley Gorge, Willis Creek, and Lick Wash and various slot canyons show the geologic progression of the Grand Staircase. Visitors can access this part of the monument from Johnson Canyon Road and Skutumpah Road.

The Kaiparowits Plateau unit makes up the largest portion of the monument. Fifty-Mile Mountain’s extension to the southeast runs nearly to the Colorado River and Lake Powell. The plateau’s harsh terrain is known as Smoky Mountain. Visitors can access this unit by taking Cottonwood Canyon road or Smoky Mountain road.

The Escalante Canyon, the monument’s northeastern unit, is bordered by the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Popular areas among explorers include Peekaboo, Spooky and Brimstone slot canyons—not to mention backpacking areas such as Coyote Gulch and Harris Wash. The Devil’s Garden is also in this area. Many hikers are thrilled by the rock art (or petroglyphs), such as the 100 Hands Pictograph along the Escalante River. Visitors can find their way to Escalante Canyon via Hole-in-the-Rock-Road—it extends southeast from the town of Escalante.

This Southern Utah monument, north of the Grand Canyon, is the first national monument managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The original monument encompassed nearly 1.9 million acres (slightly larger than Delaware). After the reduction by presidential proclamation in 2017, the monument encompassed just over 1 million acres until a new presidential proclamation restored it to 1.87 million acres in 2021.

Bucket List

Visit all four of the themed visitor centers bordering the Monument:

• Kanab hosts the Archaeological/Geological Center.
• Big Water is home to a fascinating Paleontology exhibit.
• The Cannonville Visitor Center explains the early Paiute and Pioneer life.
• Escalante Visitor Center shares scientific discoveries in botany, ecology and biology.

Each center pays a unique and exciting tribute to the scenic feast that is the Grand Staircase National Monument.

Local Favorite

Many hikers find themselves visiting the Cottonwood Narrows multiple times. This 1.67 mile trail, fit for any skill level, begins off Cottonwood Canyon Road.

Great Hikes

Just 10 miles outside of Kanab is scenic Johnson Canyon.  After 16 miles of pavement, Skutumpah Road turns to dirt and leads to Lick Wash, Willis Creek slot canyons, and many other magical landmarks.

• The Grand Staircase unit is the western part of the monument which includes the Paunsaugunt Plateau bordering the Paria River, and is adjacent to Bryce Canyon National Park. This section shows the geologic progression of the Grand Staircase. Visitors can access this unit from Johnson Canyon Road and Skutumpah Road. Features include the slot canyons of Bull Valley Gorge, Willis Creek, and Lick Wash.
• The Kaiparowits Plateau unit is the large, elevated landform which makes up the largest portion of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Its extension to the southeast, Fifty-Mile Mountain runs nearly to the Colorado River and Lake Powell. An extension of the plateau’s harsh terrain is known as Smoky Mountain. Visitors can access this part of the monument on the Cottonwood Canyon road or Smoky Mountain road.
• The Escalante Canyon unit is the northeastern unit of the monument. It is bordered by the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the east and south. The popular hiking, backpacking and canyoneering areas include the slot canyons of Peekaboo, Spooky and Brimstone Canyons, and the backpacking areas of lower Coyote Gulch and Harris Wash. The Devil’s Garden is also located in this area. Access is via the Hole-in-the-Rock-Road which extends southeast from the town of Escalante, along the base of Fifty-Mile Mountain.

Outfitter and Guide Contact list

Updated Road Reports

For more information please go to the GSENM Visitor Center website