Location: Escalante
Top Things to do in Escalante
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Escalante, Utah (UT)
Escalante (/ɛskəˈlɑːnteɪ/, locally /ˈɛskɛlæni/ or /ˈɛskəlænt/) is a city in Garfield County, Utah, United States located along Utah Scenic Byway 12 (SR-12) in the south central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, there were 797 people residing in the city.
Restaurants in Escalante
1. Peekaboo Gulch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 294 reviews
The gulch is most famous because of the last 100 meters, before the junction with Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch - here the ravine cuts deeper into the sandstone, with a series of interlinked potholes, extravagant swirls and fins of rock, and several arches; these different openings and the many corners and crevices account for the curious name of this canyon.
Reviewed By 35marin1150 - San Rafael, United States
Very unique geology, not too physically challenging! After a 25 mile dirt road it was a great hike - follow the cairn rock piles down into the wash and climb up into the Peekaboo Gulch. Not too difficult to traverse. If doing this in conjunction with the Spooky slot, I recommend doing this first and complete the loop clockwise. I also recommend not bringing a backpack into Spooky, it is VERY narrow in places. There is one Boulder choke obstacle that did not have a rope (11/2020), not too difficult, but not a piece of cake either. The trail from Peekaboo to Spooky is not at all well marked by cairns, bring a paper map - you’ll hike basically ESE over a little knoll. Enjoy!!!
2. Scenic Byway Route 12
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 376 reviews
Reviewed By MsNats - Salt Lake City, United States
Try to do this in the daytime though! Lots of mountain roads that need light to navigate with confidence - amazing views. Loved the sites we stopped to see: Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Park Loved the towns along the way: Hyway 89, towns of Tropic, Cannonville, Henrieville, Escalante, Boulder.
3. Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Huge area consisting of a maze of sandstone cliffs, canyons and plateaus.
Reviewed By noahl314 - Austin, United States
Great place to go for information about the canyons or to get a hiking permit! Staff were very friendly and gave us maps with locations and landmarks marked, along with weather information.
4. Smokey Mountain Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By 817Rob - Louisville, United States
Smokey Mountain Road is traverses though varied and spectacular landscapes for approximately 75 miles from the town of Escalante to Big Water. Although some have said that the road is hard to follow, we did not find this to be the case. Although some have noted that the scenery is mundane, again, we did not find this to be true in any sense. There are beautiful canyons, sweeping vistas, unique features to explore such as the Coal Seam Fires, and much more. It is possible to stop the car at pretty much any point and get out and explore the phenomenal lands surrounding the road. Every time that we did this, we came across hidden canyons, small arches and rock features, wildflower, and so much more that was invisible to those never venturing from their car. The northern portion of the road has more trees on it. Towards the south, these disappear as you near the spectacular sweep of land near the Coal Seam Fires. The view from the top of Smokey Mountain (a short off-trail hike) is wonderful with layering resembling the Grand Canyon in nearby rock strata. Beyond this (heading south) one comes to the Kelly Grade which is exposed enough to keep your interest up while driving while also being bleak and austere and ever so beautiful. We didn't see a single other car from Escalante until we had nearly reached the limits of Big Water. Some of the way you are pretty isolated, so be sure to carry a few gallons of water, extra food, and a spare tire! Rumor has it that it becomes impassible after heavy rains but we did not have that situation occur.
5. Devil's Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 386 reviews
Reviewed By mygoodwinfamily - Guatemala City, Guatemala
The hoo-doos are fun to explore and play on. There is a small arch that kids/teens can walk over. A fun place to play and have a picnic!
6. Hole-In-The-Rock Escalante Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
The Escalante Heritage Center is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preservation of the histories of the Hole in the Rock trek and the settlement of the towns of Escalante and Boulder.
Reviewed By WorldSprinter18 - Sedona, United States
This is a nice stop especially for educating children or simply a nice bathroom pit stop. The famous local western realist artist, Lynn Griffin, has his famous paintings 'End of the Trail' on display in large diorama size. There is an historic museum of sorts which displays a life size Conestoga covered wagon and educates about pioneer heritage. There are large clean rest rooms at the center and a curator on-site to answer your questions. Worth stopping by just to see how determined, strong, and courageous people from this time period were compared to the weak wimps of our modern times...
7. Zebra Slot Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By canyonfreak - Teasdale, United States
I've been lurking around in the Escalante Canyons for over 30 years, and can never get enough of this country, which is why I moved to Teasdale, 70 mile north near Capitol Reef NP, when I retired.
8. Spooky Gulch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By B8955ASandreal
Spooky gulch definitely lives up to it's name! Sections are challenging and dark, requiring the ability to maneuver tight quarters. Not for those with fears of small spaces. 10/10 would recommend.
9. Golden Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By canyonfreak - Teasdale, United States
I've been lurking around in the Escalante Canyons for over 30 years, and can never get enough of this country, which is why I moved to Teasdale, 70 mile north near Capitol Reef NP, when I retired.
10. Hell's Backbone Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By SusanJ2492
Very good road. Awesome views and scenery of the Grand Staircase. Lots of campgrounds and trails for atv's.
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