Things to do in Escalante, Utah (UT): The Best Sights & Landmarks

November 2, 2021 Layne Dawes

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. Scenic Byway Route 12

Route 12, Escalante, UT 84726 +1 800-200-1160 https://www.visitutah.com/articles/the-all-american-road-scenic-byway-12/
Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 376 reviews

Scenic Byway Route 12

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.

2. Smokey Mountain Road

Escalante, UT +1 435-675-3200 http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante.html
Excellent
67%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Smokey Mountain Road

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.

3. Hell's Backbone Road

153 Route Forest Service, Escalante, UT 84726 http://utah.com/grand-staircase-escalante/hells-backbone
Excellent
64%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

Hell's Backbone Road

Reviewed By SusanJ2492

Very good road. Awesome views and scenery of the Grand Staircase. Lots of campgrounds and trails for atv's.

4. Dance Hall Rock Historic Site

Hole-in-the-Rock Road, Escalante, UT http://www.blm.gov/visit/dance-hall-rock-historic-site
Excellent
67%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Dance Hall Rock Historic Site

Reviewed By thmaugh - Upland, United States

If you are travelling to Hole in the Rock and the lake, this should be a stop along the way in, or way out - as it's an interesting geological formation, with a historical significance. Didn't hear any dancing ghosts, but was fun to walk around.

5. Hole In The Rock Road

Escalante, UT
Excellent
45%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
8%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 191 reviews

Hole In The Rock Road

Reviewed By HotQuescene - Fort Lauderdale, United States

Yes this is dirt road that is mostly washboard. No, I probably wouldn't take my personal vehicle down this road unless it was a Jeep or similar 4 wheel drive. Ground clearance wasn't an issue until the turn off for Peekaboo and Spooky Canyons. I didn't drive the remaining miles to the end. From the turn off or first parking area for the slot canyons, the road deteriorates, although fine for a high clearance SUV. It was deep rutted sand, but not get stuck soft. The key to the main road is drive slow. Many people in a hurry to get back to the highway after hiking were flying down this road creating so much dust that I drove into a heard of cattle that was clouded by the dust. If you plan for 1.5-2 hours to drive 30 miles each way, its fine. This road offers many hiking access points into the numerous slot and other canyons in the Harris Wash drainage.

6. Cosmic Ashtray

Spencer Flat Rd Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monumen, Escalante, UT 84726
Excellent
67%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
33%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

Cosmic Ashtray

7. Hole-in-the Rock

Hole in the Rock Road, Escalante, UT http://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/historyculture/holeintherock.htm
Excellent
33%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
22%
Terrible
12%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 9 reviews

Hole-in-the Rock

8. Tunnel Slot

Grand Staircase-escalante National Monument, Escalante, UT 84726

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