Canyons of the Escalante
The large swath of land known as Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a collection of geologic splendors and a labyrinth of seemingly endless colorful canyons. Southwest Adventure Tours will take you on an intimate tour through many of these canyons and visit the monument’s unique landscapes. The monument has one of the highest concentrations of slot canyons anywhere in the world and this tour will concentrate on hiking through some of the best ones.
The name Grand Staircase comes from the series of geologic formations, or steps, that start at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and extends across this national monument to Bryce Canyon National Park, which is the “top” of the staircase. This geology created a series of large colorful cliffs giving half of the national monument’s name. The name Escalante comes from the river drainage responsible for creating so many winding, deep and narrow canyons on the east side of the monument. Although this tour covers the north half of the monument, you’ll see many of its highlights.
The best way to see the canyons of the Escalante is on foot. That’s why every day of this tour will consist of 5 to 10 miles of hiking (only one day will include a hike of 10 miles in length). Every day will consist of a hike through some sort of canyon – whether it be a series of slot canyons or a lush green canyon surrounded by colorful canyon walls. Along with trekking through a bunch of canyons, you’ll also see several arches and natural bridges, a dinosaur trackway, and Native American ruins and rock art.
Tour Pricing
$3,119.00 Per Person Double Occupancy
$3,569.00 Per Person Single Occupancy
$2,919.00 Per Person Triple Occupancy
$2,819.00 Per Person Quad Occupancy
Tour Highlights:
- Willis Creek Slot Canyon
- Kodachrome Basin State Park
- Escalante Canyon natural bridges and arches
- Calf Creek Falls
- Hole in the Rock Road
- Twenty Mile Wash Dinosaur Track Site
- …and lots of slot canyons
Inclusions:
- Professional Tour Guide
- Comfortable transportation
- 6 nights hotel accommodations
- 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners
- Water
- Entrance fees to attractions, National Parks, and activities listed in the itinerary
- U.S. Resident National Park entrance fees
- Gratuities for included meals and activities
- Applicable taxes and fees
Daily Breakdown:
- Day 1: Arrive in St. George, Utah
- Day 2: Kodachrome Basin, Grosvenor Arch, Cottonwood Narrows
- Day 3: Calf Creek Falls
- Day 4: Escalante Canyon – Arches & Natural Bridges
- Day 5: Hole in the Rock Road – Sites & Slots
- Day 6: Bighorn (Slot) Canyon – Covered Wagon Natural Bridge
- Day 7: Willis Creek – St. George
Canyons of the Escalante (full tour)
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to St. George – Your Gateway to the Canyons
Welcome to beautiful St. George, Utah, the starting point for your upcoming adventure! Because we know travel plans vary, today is a fully flexible arrival day designed around your convenience.
You have a few excellent options for getting here. You can fly directly into St. George Regional Airport (SGU), or you can fly into Las Vegas (LAS). If you choose to land in Las Vegas, just let us know; we can easily arrange a convenient hourly shuttle transfer to bring you straight to your arrival hotel in St. George. Prefer to hit the road? If you are driving in, arrangements can be made to safely park and keep your vehicle at the hotel while you are on the tour.
Once you arrive and check in, the rest of the evening is yours to relax, settle in, and prepare for the incredible journey ahead.
Lodging: Best Western Plus Abbey Inn St. George, UT
Day 2: Slot Canyons, Majestic Arches, and Kodachrome Basin
This morning, we depart St. George and embark on a scenic, three-hour drive toward the stunning landscapes just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. Our first major stop is the Cottonwood Narrows. This rarely visited gem offers a fantastic introduction to the region's famous slot canyons. As we hike through the beautiful, narrow sandstone walls, you will get a thrilling taste of the geological wonders to come this week!
Next, we travel east into the heart of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to marvel at Grosvenor Arch. This massive and unique double sandstone arch is so spectacular that it initially served as the symbol of the monument upon its creation.
Our afternoon takes us to the vibrant landscapes of Kodachrome Basin State Park. Here, we will take a few shorter hikes to get up close to the park's towering monolithic spires, known as sedimentary pipes or hoodoos. The striking color contrast of the red rock against the blue sky is so photogenic that a 1949 National Geographic expedition named the area after the vibrant Kodak film they were using. After a full day of exploration, we will transfer to the town of Escalante, where we will check into our hotel and set up our basecamp for the next few days.
Lodging: Canyon Country Lodge Escalante, UT
Day 3: The Oasis of Calf Creek Falls and the Historic Burr Trail
Today, we set our alarms for an early 7:00 AM start to beat the crowds and secure parking at what is arguably the crowning jewel of the monument: Lower Calf Creek Falls. This iconic 6-mile round-trip hike meanders through breathtaking, lush canyon scenery. As we walk between colorful sandstone walls alongside a flowing stream, keep your eyes peeled for life-sized ancient pictographs on the cliffs and trout swimming in the clear waters below.
After our morning trek, we will head to the charming town of Boulder, UT, to rest and grab a well-deserved lunch. Our afternoon slows down the physical pace with a stunning scenic drive down the historic Burr Trail. Along the way, we will stop at a hidden local gem known as Singing Canyon to experience its incredible natural acoustics.
Before heading back, we will visit Anasazi State Park Museum to dive into the deep history of the Ancestral Pueblo and Fremont peoples who thrived in this rugged environment for thousands of years. We will return to our Escalante basecamp in the late afternoon, giving you plenty of time to relax and unwind. (Total estimated hiking distance for today: 8 miles)
Lodging: Canyon Country Lodge Escalante, UT
Day 4: River Crossings and Hidden Arches of Escalante Canyon
Today takes us deep into the Escalante Canyons region for a highly adventurous day of hiking. We begin by trekking up Escalante Canyon, winding our way along the river to discover two incredible geological formations. Our first major sight is the Escalante Natural Bridge, dramatically perched near the top of the cliffs that border the Escalante River. Just a short distance further, we will stop to view Cliff House Arch and observe the historic Native American ruins tucked safely beneath it.
Important Footwear Note: Our morning hike involves multiple river crossings. Please come prepared with appropriate water shoes or hiking footwear that can get wet without causing blisters. If you need recommendations on the perfect footwear setup, please contact us well in advance of your departure date so we can help!
After a well-earned lunch, our afternoon takes us down the famous Hole in the Rock Road. We will visit the Covered Wagon Natural Bridge—a large, unique series of natural bridges that you can actually walk directly under. We will also explore the beautifully sculptured canyon surrounding nearby Cedar Wash Arch.
We will return to our Escalante hotel for the evening. The total hiking distance today is approximately 7 miles, though the itinerary is flexible and portions can easily be adjusted or eliminated to match the group's abilities and desires.
Lodging: Canyon Country Lodge Escalante, UT
Day 5: Pioneer History and the Legendary Slot Canyons
Today, we travel down one of the most famous dirt roads in the American Southwest: Hole in the Rock Road. Originally trailblazed by Mormon Pioneers in a seemingly impossible effort to settle regions in southeastern Utah and Arizona, this historic route is now our gateway to some of the most spectacular geology in the national monument.
Our first stop takes us to Devil’s Garden. Despite its ominous name, this area is a whimsical playground of incredible sandstone hoodoos, domes, and arches, perfect for photography and exploration.
The main event of the day lies just down the road as we enter a world-class series of slot canyons. Depending on the group's comfort levels, we will navigate through the smooth, swirling sandstone of Dry Fork Coyote Gulch, the twisting obstacles of the famed Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon, and the thrillingly narrow squeezes of Spooky Gulch. Expect to log about 3 to 5 miles of highly rewarding hiking today before we head back to Escalante for our final evening in town.
Lodging: Canyon Country Lodge Escalante, UT
Day 6: The Swirling Walls of Big Horn and Bryce Canyon Stargazing
For our final morning in the Escalante area, we journey down Hole-in-the-Rock Road one last time to explore the breathtaking Big Horn Canyon. This hike offers a striking visual contrast to the other slot canyons we’ve visited. Instead of smooth, monochromatic walls, the sandstone here features swirly, highly striped, and vividly colorful rock layers. We will hike approximately 3 to 4 miles round trip through this vibrant canyon. Unlike narrower slots, any blocked sections here are easily bypassed, making for a smooth and highly enjoyable trek.
Following our morning hike, we will say goodbye to Escalante and travel to the iconic Bryce Canyon National Park. We will spend the afternoon exploring the rim and taking in sweeping views of its famous, spire-like hoodoo amphitheaters. As evening approaches, we will gather for a celebratory group dinner in town. Finally, for those who want to experience the park's world-renowned dark skies, we offer an optional stargazing and astrophotography session at 9:00 PM to capture the cosmos above Bryce Canyon.
Lodging: Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn Bryce Canyon City, UT
Day 7: Bryce Canyon Sunrise, Active Slot Canyons, and Journey Home
We start our final day together with an unforgettable opportunity to watch the sunrise from the rim of Bryce Canyon, watching the morning light ignite the famous hoodoos.
From there, we travel to Willis Creek Slot Canyon. This is a truly unique hike because you get to experience a slot canyon actively being carved by Mother Nature. We will walk right down the shallow, trickling creek—usually just a few inches deep and a foot or two wide—enjoying several small, beautiful waterfalls along the 2-mile route.
Continuing just a few miles down the road, we will stop at Bull Valley Gorge. This slot canyon offers a dramatic contrast to Willis Creek with its deep, narrow, and somewhat sinister-looking drops. You will even get to see a fascinating piece of local history: an automobile from the 1950s that crashed and became permanently wedged in the rocks, now serving as part of the dirt road bridge over the gorge!
Departure Logistics: After exploring these final two slot canyons, we will begin our 3-hour scenic drive back to St. George, Utah. We guarantee a return to St. George by 5:00 PM. Please book any departing flights or transportation for after 7:00 PM. Alternatively, if you aren't ready for the adventure to end, consider booking another day or two to relax and explore beautiful St. George on your own!
Tour Details:
Big Horn Slot Canyon
Not Included:
- Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.)
- Meals (other than listed in the itinerary)
- Optional activities
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for the tour guide
Arrival / Departure Info:
- Arrival Location: St. George Regional (SGU) or Las Vegas Airport (LAS)
- Arrival Time: Any time on Day 1
- Departure Location: SGU or LAS
- Departure Time: anytime after 7:00 PM on Day 7
Physical Requirements:
Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for an average of 3 to 5 miles at a time. Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 to 1,000 ft throughout the areas visited during this tour. Touring and overnight locations are between 5,000 to 8,000 ft above sea level. THIS TOUR REQUIRES A LOT OF HIKING – Please let us know if you have any other physical/health limitations or requirements.
Note:
Southwest Adventure Tours is an authorized permittee of the following parks:
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
